Audi A5 Sportback 2019 Review

In the 2019 D-segment luxury hatchback market, the competition among German brands has always been straightforward—either rely on performance to stand out or pack in features to gain an advantage. The Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro sport, as the "balanced contender" in this niche market, manages to retain the streamlined design of a sportback while maintaining practicality. Upon its release, it captured the attention of many consumers looking to "have the best of both worlds." The core focus of this test drive is to evaluate whether its dynamic performance lives up to the quattro brand and if its static experience meets the basic expectations of luxury car users.

From a distance, the A5 Sportback's body lines are very sleek, featuring the typical silhouette of a fastback sedan. The roof slopes gently from the B-pillar toward the rear and ends in a short spoiler, giving it a very cohesive look. The front features Audi's signature hexagonal grille with a black honeycomb insert, flanked by sharp LED headlights that ensure high recognition. The body side has a waistline running from the front all the way to the taillights, complemented by 19-inch multi-spoke wheels that give it a low and sporty stance. The rear design is relatively simple, with LED taillights in a smoked finish that light up in Audi's classic sequential turn signal pattern. The dual exhaust system on either side of the rear bumper suggests its powerful performance. The lighting system performs excellently overall, with the LED headlights meeting luxury car standards in terms of range and brightness, and the automatic headlight and daytime running light response being very sensitive.

Inside, the interior feels very solid, with most areas of the dashboard wrapped in soft-touch materials that feel pleasant to the touch. The instrument panel is fully digital with a large display that provides a wealth of information and allows you to switch between different driving mode interfaces—for instance, the sport mode emphasizes RPM and torque data. The infotainment screen has a floating design with clear operational logic; however, it does not support touch controls and relies on the MMI knob behind the gear lever, which becomes quite intuitive after getting used to it. The front seats are electrically adjustable with memory functions, offering excellent support and adequate lumbar and thigh cushioning, making long drives comfortable. The rear seating space is average; a passenger with a height of 175cm will have about two fist-widths of legroom, though headroom might feel slightly tight due to the sloping roofline, but it’s not cramped. The rear also comes equipped with independent air conditioning vents and two USB ports, ensuring practicality. The trunk offers 480 liters of capacity, which can be further expanded by folding down the rear seats—plenty of room for suitcases or strollers, making it much more practical than traditional coupe models.

In terms of performance, this car is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine with a maximum power output of 255PS. The peak torque is delivered between 1,600 and 4,500 rpm. Paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and the quattro all-wheel drive system, it achieves an official 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 6 seconds. In actual driving, the start is very light and responsive, with the throttle reacting promptly and producing power immediately with a light press. Switching to sport mode makes the transmission more aggressive in its shift logic; gear changes are faster, and when overtaking, pressing the accelerator firmly delivers power on demand with no noticeable lag. For everyday use, the comfort mode suffices, offering smooth power delivery, which is well-suited for urban commutes.

Its handling performance is one of its highlights. The steering wheel is precise, with minimal play and responds exactly as much as you turn it. The cornering direction is very clear. The chassis adopts independent suspension with a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link setup, tuned towards sportiness but not overly stiff. When passing speed bumps or bumpy roads, the suspension filters out most of the fine vibrations, and the body doesn't bounce noticeably, maintaining good comfort. When driving on mountain roads, the advantages of the quattro all-wheel-drive system become apparent. The grip during cornering is very strong, the body stays stable, and even at slightly higher speeds, it doesn't feel floaty.

As for fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 6.4L/100km. During the actual test drive, city conditions averaged around 8L, while highway conditions dropped to about 6L. This performance is relatively economical for a 2.0T all-wheel-drive vehicle. The braking performance is also reliable, with a linear pedal feel and sufficient braking force. During emergency braking, the vehicle body does not swerve, giving a strong sense of confidence.

The sound insulation is worth praising. At high speeds, wind noise and tire noise are well-controlled, with engine noise only slightly audible during hard acceleration but not intrusive. The comfort of the seats has already been mentioned; they have good support and wrapping. Combined with the suspension's filtering effect, the comfort level during daily driving is no issue. The air conditioning system is a dual-zone automatic climate control, with independent controls for the rear seats. It cools quickly, making it convenient in summer. Features like rain-sensing wipers and keyless entry/start also enhance daily usability.

Overall, the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro sport has several clear core advantages: first, its sleek coupe design combines aesthetics and practicality; second, its quattro all-wheel-drive system ensures stable handling; third, its solid interior quality and rich configurations, such as a full LCD instrument panel, electric memory seats, and rear air conditioning, rank it in the upper-middle level among its class. Compared to the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe in the same class, it offers more comprehensive configurations, and the quattro all-wheel-drive system is a bonus. Compared to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, its handling performance stands out.

The target audience for this car is very clear: firstly, families seeking balanced performance—they want good looks for appearances, enough space for storage, and occasionally wish to enjoy some driving pleasure; secondly, young people pursuing luxury and practicality—not satisfied with ordinary sedans but find SUVs less agile.

In summary, the 2019 Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro sport is a luxury hatchback with "no obvious weak points." Its balanced performance proves its strong competitiveness in the D-segment market. If you're looking for a luxury car that "can do a bit of everything," it’s worth considering.