Audi A5 F5A Sportback (2017–2020): Graceful, Quick, and Quietly Practical
I’ve always had a soft spot for cars that refuse to be pigeonholed. The Audi A5 F5A Sportback is one of those. It’s coupe-pretty, sedan-comfortable, and hatchback-useful all at once. After a long weekend with an A5 2.0T quattro—two kids, a stroller, and a slightly overconfident grocery run—I noticed right away how the car melts into your life. It’s the kind of premium fastback that makes Monday feel like Friday.
What Changed: The Audi A5 F5A Sportback’s B9-Era Evolution
The 2017 model year ushered in the second generation (B9) A5 Sportback—lighter, sharper to drive, and cleaner to look at than the first. Audi tightened the surfacing, stretched the character lines, and gave the cabin its tech-forward “glass cockpit” vibe. The essentials stayed classically Audi—clean, calm, and impeccably screwed together—but the hardware moved on with a stiffer chassis and a lineup of punchy turbo engines.
Audi A5 F5A Sportback: Design, Cabin, And The “Live-With-It” Factor
From curbside, the A5 Sportback looks like a sleek coupe that went to finishing school. Inside, it’s classic Audi: tight panel gaps, tactile switchgear, and an MMI system that—pre-facelift—relies on a rotary controller instead of a touchscreen. I prefer it for long drives; fewer fingerprints, less fiddling. The optional Virtual Cockpit makes your old analog gauges feel like a flip phone.
Front seats are superb—supportive without being stingy. In the back, two adults fit fine, but taller folks may brush the headliner thanks to that sweeping roof. A few owners mentioned to me they’d spec the lighter interior trims to keep it feeling airier. I’d agree. It brightens the cabin on grey commutes.
Audi A5 F5A Sportback: Engines, Performance, And Real-World Numbers
The A5 Sportback’s bread-and-butter engine is a 2.0-liter turbo four. Depending on year and market, you’ll see 248–252 hp and around 273 lb-ft. Quattro all-wheel drive and a slick 7-speed dual-clutch keep it brisk: think mid-5s to 60 mph for most versions, a hair quicker on cooler mornings. If you’re cross-shopping the range, the S5 Sportback (3.0-liter turbo V6, 354 hp) is meaningfully quicker, and the RS 5 Sportback (444 hp) is a rocket with a diploma.
- 0–60 mph: ~5.5–6.0 sec (A5 2.0T quattro)
- Power: 248–252 hp (A5 2.0T); 354 hp (S5); 444 hp (RS 5)
- Economy: up to low-30s mpg highway in real-world cruising if you behave
On the road, the A5 F5A feels planted and polished. The steering’s not full of chat, but it’s accurate, and the chassis has that springy composure you want when the road turns unruly. When I tried it on a stretch of broken pavement, the car shrugged off the sharp stuff better on 18s than the optional 19s. If your commute includes potholes, make the sensible wheel choice. Brakes are strong and drama-free; the car flows rather than fights.
Small Flaws You’ll Notice (Because I Did)
- The lane-keeping assist can be a bit ping-pongy on poorly marked roads.
- With the panoramic roof, rear headroom gets tight for six-footers.
- Auto start/stop feels abrupt in stop-and-go until the system warms up.
Audi A5 F5A Sportback: Tech, Safety, And Daily Ease
Most cars in this era came with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and the option for a full-digital instrument cluster. The rotary MMI interface is easy on the move, even if it doesn’t photograph as snazzy as a big touchscreen. Safety-wise, you’ll find adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a solid suite of collision-avoidance tech. It’s quiet enough at 75 mph to hear your kids arguing about snacks in the back—ask me how I know.
How It Stacks Up: A5 Sportback vs Key Rivals
| Model | Power | 0–60 mph (approx.) | Cargo (seats up) | Drivetrain | Why Pick It |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A5 F5A Sportback (2.0T) | 248–252 hp | 5.5–6.0 sec | ~17 cu ft | FWD/AWD | Refined ride, slick cabin, quietly quick |
| BMW 430i Gran Coupe (F36) | 248 hp | 5.7–6.0 sec | ~17 cu ft | RWD/AWD | Sportier steering feel, tighter dynamics |
| Kia Stinger GT | 365 hp | 4.7 sec | 23.3 cu ft | RWD/AWD | Big power, big space, great value |
Feature Highlights I’d Actually Brag About
- Virtual Cockpit digital gauges that make road trips fun to map.
- Quattro all-wheel drive confidence when the weather sulks.
- Hatch practicality with handsomely disguised lines.
- Available adaptive dampers for a just-right ride/handling balance.
- Bang & Olufsen audio that genuinely earns the nameplate.
Best Accessories For The Audi A5 F5A Sportback (2017–2020)
Floor protection is the unsung hero of a premium interior. For the A5 Sportback, I’ve had good experiences with precisely cut mats that anchor properly and don’t curl. If you’re hunting for a tidy fit and durable materials, the selection at AutoWin is worth a look—they’re built to suit the Audi ecosystem and match the cabin’s clean aesthetic.
Audi A5 F5A Sportback: Premium Floor Mats That Fit Right
Protecting those carpets is the easiest way to keep your A5 feeling box-fresh. AutoWin offers premium-fit sets for the A5 F5A Sportback that I’ve seen wear well in daily use.
Pick a style that suits your cabin—subtle, bold, or somewhere in between:
Where I’d Buy: AutoWin Eshop
If you want a one-stop catalog for Audi accessories that actually fit, the AutoWin Eshop has a focused range for the A5 F5A Sportback. The benefit is simple: fewer returns, fewer headaches, cleaner floors.
Audi A5 F5A Sportback: Quick Buyer’s Notes
- Best daily spec: 2.0T quattro, 18-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, Virtual Cockpit.
- Watch for: tire noise on 19s, abrupt start/stop in heavy traffic, rear headroom with pano roof.
- Sweet spot: lightly optioned Premium Plus—strong features without sticker shock.
Conclusion: The Audi A5 F5A Sportback Nails The Brief
In a world of SUVs, the Audi A5 F5A Sportback (2017–2020) feels like a small rebellion. It’s elegant without being loud, quick without being tiring, and practical in a way the pretty ones rarely are. Not perfect—nothing with a slinky roofline is—but if you want a premium sportback that makes every day nicer, this is the one I keep recommending.
FAQ: Audi A5 F5A Sportback (2017–2020)
- What engines were offered on the 2017 Audi A5 Sportback? Mostly a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (about 248–252 hp). The range also included the S5 (3.0L turbo V6, 354 hp) and later the RS 5 (2.9L twin-turbo V6, 444 hp) depending on market.
- What’s the 0–60 time? The A5 2.0T quattro typically runs 0–60 mph in about 5.5–6.0 seconds. The S5 cuts that to the mid-4s; the RS 5 dips into the high-3s to low-4s.
- When did the A5 Sportback change shape? The major redesign arrived for 2017 (B9 generation), with crisper lines and a lighter, stiffer platform.
- Which engine is “best” for daily use? The 2.0T is the sweet spot for efficiency and pace. If you crave more punch, the S5’s V6 makes every on-ramp an occasion.
- Is it practical? Yes. Thanks to the hatch, the A5 Sportback swallows luggage like a small wagon. The only caveat is rear headroom for taller passengers.
If you’re fitting out your cabin, browse Audi and A5 accessories, including tailored mats for the F5A Sportback, to keep it looking (and feeling) its best.
