Audi A5 Cabriolet

There’s no denying that the A5 Cabriolet is one of the more desirable drop-tops on the market – its badge and looks alone would tempt many people to part with their cash for it.

Thankfully, the Audi isn’t just a pretty face, as many critics seem to be impressed with the car’s refinement, its ease of use and the well-rounded engines on offer. However, the svelte styling does conceal a few rough edges here and there.

Interior

As you’d expect from an Audi, especially one that can be seen by all once the roof is removed, the interior is amongst one of the best in its class – all the materials are of high quality, and everything feels like it’ll last long after it reaches the end of the car’s working life.

There controls are also mostly easy to use, though some buttons are a bit fiddly. Space inside for passengers is fairly good for a car of this type, as there’s good headroom all-round (some testers even thought it was better than the hardtop’s!) and, as long as the people up front aren’t too tall, adults can fit in the back. The boot is also surprisingly big for a convertible, with 320 litres available with the roof down, and 380 when it’s up.

It’s worth pointing out that the optional wind deflector makes the rear seats redundant when the roof is stowed away, so you can only have one companion if you want turbulence free motoring!

Driving

The A5 Cabriolet is, at heart, a machine to cruise in, so it’s no real surprise that it excels under more relaxed driving conditions – over most surfaces, the ride is quite composed, and the fabric roof does a very good job at insulating out intrusive noises, especially if you opt for the ‘Acoustic Hood’.

However, it’s by no means the most engaging car in its class to drive – the A5 Cabrio does handle fairly well, but this isn’t a car you’d want to wring out down a B-road or on a track day (not that most buyers would take one there…).

A few critics also thought the ride was a bit jittery on rougher surfaces, especially when riding on the stiffer ‘S-Line’ setup, and there’s a wee bit of body flex and scuttle shake to be found.

Engines

Bar the 4.2 V8 that you’ll find in the hardtop S5 and RS5 models, the Cabrio shares all of the engines it has with the car’s tiptop cousins, which means there’s bound to be one that’ll cater for your needs. There’s a whole range of petrols and diesels to choose from, ranging from a tiny little 1.8 turbo right up to the range topping V6 and S5 models.

There isn’t really a bad engine in the range, as they’re all smooth and refined and have enough poke to shift the car’s sheer mass, are mostly affordable to run and work well with the different gearboxes on offer. However, most critics reckon that, if outright speed isn’t a primary concern, the 2.0 TDI diesel is the best all-rounder in the range, as it suits the car’s more relaxed qualities yet is quite frugal on the combined cycle.

Value for money

Compared with some of its main rivals, the Audi A5 Cabriolet is competitively priced, and you could argue that the appeal of its badge and design may be enough to justify buying the car. Standard equipment is also fairly good across the range – for instance, all cars come with stop/start, climate control and an auto-opening boot – and residual values are expected to be strong.

However, you will have to fork out a fair bit of cash in order to get the more ‘prestigious’ models in the range and, as with most Audis, the vast array of options and extra equipment on offer means you can raise the lofty prices even further if you’re not too careful!

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Worth noting

Most of the reviews we have of the A5 Cabriolet are of the pre-facelift models – the entire range was given a refresh earlier this year. However, we still reckon that the reviews are still relevant, as most of the changes were just cosmetic, and there were only a few alterations to the engines and chassis setups.

Though they were satisfied with all the different transmissions on offer, most critics reckon that, if you’re able to, it’s best to specify the seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox option. Though a pricey option on some models, it’s a unit that shifts cogs smoothly, and complements the car’s cruising qualities.

Conclusion

Overall, the Audi A5 Cabriolet is a decent car that does an exceptional job at being a relaxed open-top cruiser. Most of the time, it’s a desirable, comfortable and refined cruiser that also handles and goes fairly well, and shouldn’t cost the Earth to run if you opt for diesel power.

It’s by no means the best big drop-top on the market, and the car’s dynamic qualities most likely won’t appeal to people who would prefer a sharper and more engaging drive. That said, there is plenty of appeal in the Audi’s laid-back approach to things, and the A5 Cabriolet is certainly worth considering if you’re in the market for such a car.

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