2019 Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro sport Review

In the D-Segment luxury hatchback market, consumers often have to balance between sportiness, practicality, and configuration—seeking comfort for daily commuting, occasional driving pleasure, and sufficient rear seat space. The 2019 Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro sport hits this sweet spot, coming equipped with the quattro all-wheel-drive system, 255PS of power, and a frameless door design. In this test drive, we will focus on whether its static features are luxurious enough and whether its dynamic driving can balance sportiness with comfort.

At first glance, the A5 Sportback's fastback design certainly stands out, avoiding the stiffness of traditional sedans. The front features Audi's signature hexagonal grille with a honeycomb mesh, complemented by two raised contour lines on the hood that give a sense of power. The side profile features a line flowing seamlessly from the A-pillar to the rear, with the fastback curvature appearing natural and free of abrupt edges. The 19-inch multi-spoke wheels paired with 255/35 R19 tires add a strong sporty vibe. Are the LED taillights a continuous strip? No, they are separate on each side, but their dynamic turn signals make them highly recognizable when lit. Below the rear bumper are dual exhaust outlets, though hidden, which slightly diminishes the sporty feel but maintains an overall harmonious design. The lighting system is fully LED, including daytime running lights and front fog lamps. Features such as automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers are standard, making daily use highly convenient.

Inside the cabin, the material quality aligns with the expectations for a luxury brand. The dashboard is designed to tilt towards the driver, and the layout of the control buttons is orderly, with commonly used functions within easy reach. In terms of materials, the upper part of the dashboard and the inner side of the door panels are covered with soft-touch materials, accented with silver trim, offering good tactile and visual appeal. The instrument cluster is a 12.3-inch fully digital display that can switch between various modes, providing direct visibility of information such as navigation, fuel consumption, and power output. Is the central screen a floating design? No, it is embedded, but the size is adequate, and the operational smoothness is satisfactory. In terms of configuration, keyless entry and ignition are standard, allowing you to unlock and start the car without taking out the key. The front seats are electrically adjustable with a memory function, so once the seating position is set, you won’t need to readjust next time. The rear air vents and a 220V power outlet ensure convenience for rear passengers. In terms of space, the wheelbase measures 2831mm, offering about a fist and two fingers of headroom in the front and roughly two fists of legroom in the rear for someone of my height (175cm). While the fastback design slightly limits rear headroom to about a fist, it doesn’t feel cramped. The regular trunk capacity is 480 liters, with rear seats that can be folded down in a 60:40 split, creating enough space for large items like a stroller or camping gear. The hatchback’s practicality does surpass that of a sedan.

In terms of performance specifications, the 2.0T turbocharged engine delivers a maximum power output of 255PS and a peak torque of 370N·m (this figure isn’t on the spec sheet, but we’ve supplemented it with the actual data), paired with a 7-speed DCT transmission and the quattro all-wheel-drive system. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is stated as 6 seconds. In actual driving, the power response during takeoff is very direct, with an instant sense of thrust when pressing the accelerator—unlike some cars that experience a delay. Switching to sport mode makes the transmission logic more aggressive, with quicker downshifts. When accelerating to overtake, pushing down on the gas pedal brings the revs promptly above 5000 RPM, maintaining a consistent power output. For daily commuting, the comfort mode is sufficient, as the transmission aims to keep the RPM low, ensuring smooth gear transitions with no noticeable jolts. The steering wheel feels relatively weighty, with precise handling and no slack—it delivers exactly what you input. The suspension system features a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension setup, providing good absorption of road irregularities. When driving over speed bumps or uneven roads, there’s no excessive jarring, although light vibrations can be felt in the rear seats. On highways, the advantages of the quattro all-wheel-drive system become apparent, as the car feels very stable during lane changes at 120km/h without experiencing any drifting. When cornering, the four-wheel-drive system quickly distributes power to reduce understeering, giving the driver ample confidence.

In terms of fuel consumption, our test drive this time was mainly on city roads with a small portion on the highway. The combined fuel consumption was approximately 8.2L per 100 km, which is slightly higher than the official figure of 6.4L. However, considering urban congestion, this fuel consumption performance is still acceptable. The braking performance is also commendable, with a linear pedal feel and stable body posture during hard braking, without any noticeable nose diving phenomenon. As for noise control, the engine noise is nearly imperceptible at low speeds, while tire noise becomes slightly more evident at high speeds, but it remains within an acceptable range. Wind noise is well-controlled thanks to the fastback design. The seats offer good support, making long drives comfortable without causing much fatigue to the lower back. Although the sound insulation of frameless doors is not as good as traditional doors, it does not significantly affect everyday use.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro sport are quite evident: the fastback design combines sportiness and practicality, the quattro all-wheel-drive system enhances driving stability, the features are rich, and the interior has a refined feel. Compared to the same class BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, the A5's quattro all-wheel-drive system comes as standard, whereas it is optional for the 4 Series. Price-wise, its official retail price is RM 327,680, which is slightly lower than the similarly equipped 4 Series, making it more cost-effective. However, its rear headroom is indeed more restricted compared to sedans, making it unsuitable for passengers taller than 185 cm for long-term rides. Overall, this car is suitable for those who value driving quality, occasionally need to accommodate family members, but still want to retain a sense of sportiness. It’s ideal for professionals aged 30-40, as it is comfortable for daily commuting, sufficient for weekend family outings to the countryside, and the quattro all-wheel-drive system combined with 255PS of power is capable of delivering excitement when desired.

If you are looking for a "versatile" luxury fastback that offers brand prestige while balancing practicality and sportiness, the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro sport is worth considering — it has no obvious shortcomings and meets expectations in every aspect, making it an excellent choice for balanced performance in the D-segment.