Coupes are a dying breed, with shoppers focused instead on SUVs and sedans, but Audi's 2020 A5 coupe and cabriolet offer roomy cabins with decent-size trunks to help auto enthusiasts justify the purchase to themselves and disapproving spouses. Both come with a gutsy turbocharged four-cylinder engine, all-wheel drive, and a host of tech features that will keep futurists happy. The A5's athletic chassis makes it a playful partner on a twisty road but it can still bring home the bacon—literally—with plenty of cargo space and a rear seat that can actually accommodate adult riders.
The two-door Audi A5 coupe and convertible both receive a visual refresh for 2020. A new grille, updated front and rear bumpers, and new tailpipes are styling highlights that help the 2020 model stand apart from the 2019. Inside, a new 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen replaces last year's 7.0- and 8.3-inch displays and runs updated software. Coupe models are now available with the S Line interior appearance package, which includes a flat-bottomed steering wheel, leather and faux-suede upholstered seats, brushed aluminum trim, and stainless steel sport pedals.
The choice between the hardtop coupe and the convertible is a tough one, but choosing between one of three distinct trims is pretty easy. We'd go with a mid-range Premium Plus model, which adds niceties such as a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, push-button ignition, passive keyless entry, a wireless smartphone-charging pad, and much more. The convertible cabriolet body style adds $7000 to the bottom line versus the coupe, but if you live in the sunbelt region it might be money well spent.
Making 248 horsepower from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the A5 has the potency one expects from a sporty two-door. Around town, the A5 asserts itself nicely when dicing with traffic, never feeling sluggish or underpowered. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission snaps off quick shifts with very little interruption to power delivery. In our testing, the coupe proved to be downright quick, sprinting from zero to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds—0.5 second behind the 400-hp Infiniti Q60 Red Sport. Composed and planted when cruising, the A5 comes alive on twisty roads; accurate, well-weighted steering highlights the suspension's agility, and the A5 is very easy to drive quickly. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system helps, too, providing plenty of grip.