Audi A5 Impressions (A review from a Stinger GT-Line owner)

[jays2000]

After 2.5 years of owning my 2021 GT-Line, I was already antsy to get a replacement. I love my car, but it lacks a lot of safety and convenience features available on other cars (and even my old 2015 Acura). On paper, the 2022-2023 GT-Line with the better engine, infotainment, headlights, and safety features checks a lot of boxes, but I'm not a fan of the wheels (like, at all). And, the 3.3L GT models just aren't for me: I drive enough to care about getting decent fuel economy, and I prefer a lighter, nimble car. The GT is just a very different beast.

Anyway, given the small-ish space in my garage and my love of sportback models, there is not a lot to choose from outside of the beautiful A5/S5 SBs and the ugly BMW 4-series. After years of admiring A5 sportbacks (and especially S5s) from afar, I finally stopped by the dealer to check them out in person and take a test drive.

I looked at two fully loaded, 261-HP TFSI 45 Prestige models and came away disappointed: they're just too damn small. The A5 SB is just 3" shorter in length but looked considerably shorter in person, with a visibly smaller cargo area. The real surprise was once I got in the driver's seat: on paper, the A5 is just an inch narrower than the Stinger, but something about the shoulder room made me feel like I was in a subcompact. My arm and shoulder felt uncomfortably close to the door. There is no storage between the front seats (it's used for a charging phone pad) and the front dash looked tiny. It was just... claustrophobic. The sales guy called it "sporty." Hmm.

I got in the back seat and chuckled. With the driver's seat moved back to how I would want it, there was little room left for an adult. My head brushed the hatch. The saving grace, design-wise, was the sculpted out seat backs that left just a little room for my kneecaps... but forget getting comfortable in the back for anyone over 5' 9".

I went ahead and drove the white model available in the lot. The driving characteristics felt very close to the GT-Line: little torque off the line, but good midrange punch. The A5's engine has a bit more power than my 2.0L Stinger, but generally was a wash. Turning and turn radius were fine for a compact-ish car.

Especially given that the Prestige trims are $55k-$65k (the second one was optioned up with carbon fiber and other goodies) I just couldn't find myself liking the A5 that much more than my Stinger.

Beyond the issue of size, the age of the A5 is showing. It's a few years older than the Stinger (introduced in 2016 as a 2017 model) and while the 2019 refresh helped a lot, it's clear Audi had not planned for the insatiable demand for larger touchscreens... and so they stuck a larger tablet on top of the dash and called it "good." Weird features are buried in the touchscreen, like HomeLink. Odds and ends in the interior stuck out as being an older design.

Driving home in my Stinger, I felt much more appreciation for my car. Non-car people 1) have no idea what it is, especially with the KDM "E" emblems, and 2) think it's a much more expensive car than it is. I got a fantastic deal on it at the time and nothing touches it in terms of style, performance, and value.

The new car search will have to wait.

 

[ElChanclo]

The stinger has spoiled me for possible upgrades and made me really picky on any future car purchases. I can't stop looking back at it when I park, catching the odd reflection of the front DRLs when driving, and I didn't realize how much I loved the interior until I sat in comparable cars from Audi, Infiniti, and Lexus (may look at some Mercs too).

I love the flat bottom steering wheel, the dark red interior, the analog gauges, the physical buttons and dials, the lack of blank buttons (4G8 RS7s looking at you), and the 3 center air vents are a nod to the 456M I used to fawn over. I remember first getting into a stinger and the wheel and seat shifted inwards as the HUD pops up like you'd just sat in a spaceship cockpit, then selecting Sport mode and the seat bolsters hug you as the engine shifts down...

Not to mention all the bells and whistles on the GT2 that don't come standard even on some 6 figure vehicles. The ventilated seats are a life changer, coupled with smart cruise and lane keep assist, summer road trips and other long drives are so enjoyable now. The adaptive headlights are absolutely stunning in a dark fog. Then there's the engine and the handling and the storage capacity...

I could go on for hours but the Stinger has put all worthy upgrades into the $200k range.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

Audi is probably the worst car to own without a warranty. They do look nice though. Great review!

 

[NYBIOMED]

Interesting write up, I’ve also admired the S5/7s from afar, never yet driven either. I’m 16 months into my 2022 2.5T ownership and its not feeling old at all yet, but Ive been modifying it all along, with the 4pt-mid/rear Ultra Racing chassis brace going in next week…I really do want more seat time in a few Porsches I find interesting, but only when I’m NOT driving 2k miles every month! It’s bad enough I’m killing my $45k GT-Line with all the miles, I couldn’t do that to a car costing 2x that…besides, wheels are easily swapped out with a plethora of options to fit anyone’s taste and I can generally avg 27-28mpg, while still having some fun.

 

[Snicklefritz]

I’m 16 months into my 2022 2.5T ownership and its not feeling old at all yet, but Ive been modifying it all along ...

lol, does anyone on the forum have a longer mods list? clearly you are an addict enjoying yourself. what a hobby. I drive stock stingers and satisfied with them as-is. Ima sure modding them makes them even more fun. carry on.

 

[Redleg94]

I'm wondering if you might want to go look at new Integra, either base or Type S or look at the Civic Sport (the hatch). Every review that I have seen remarks how roomy the cars are inside.

 

[washguy]

GT2 Rocks......never had a car that so many people stopped and asked me what is this car? My porsche didnt get any looks like this Stinger goes....and the Z06 hardly does....anyone wanna buy a Z06? im selling " lil red"

 

[G70LEbyAdoom]

GT2 Rocks......never had a car that so many people stopped and asked me what is this car? My porsche didnt get any looks like this Stinger goes....and the Z06 hardly does....anyone wanna buy a Z06? im selling " lil red"

Ill give you 50 Dollars and whatever you want from McDonalds for the Z06!

 

[jays2000]

I'm wondering if you might want to go look at new Integra, either base or Type S or look at the Civic Sport (the hatch). Every review that I have seen remarks how roomy the cars are inside.

Good suggestions. I'm a longtime Honda-Acura fan and I lurk on vtec.net multiple times a week, so I'm familiar with those models. Early reviews on the Integra Type-S are really positive as well. My friend has a 6MT A-Spec Integra that I've driven recently. The base 1.5T engine strains under hard acceleration, and the clutch engagement point is high, like 2" down. He likes it a lot though.

I haven't looked closely at the Civic Sport HB but it's in my near future as my eldest son approaches driving age next year.

 

[washguy]

Ill give you 50 Dollars and whatever you want from McDonalds for the Z06!

2 big Macs and a shake.....but you have to take a physical because of extreme G's

 

[Sam Ian]

I've also been getting antsy and looking for a replacement (2019 GT2). I crossed shopped the A5 and BMW 4 series when I initially purchased. The truth is though there's nothing out there that offers the same combination of power, features, size and looks at this price. Even moving up into the 60-90K price point (A7, Merc GT etc.) you still need to be in the highest trim level to match features. As an aside, a guy came up to me in the grocery store and asked me if I daily drove that thing - he thought it was a Maserati.

 

[G70LEbyAdoom]

2 big Macs and a shake.....but you have to take a physical because of extreme G's

id do that deal haha

 

[JSolo]

@jays2000 What "lacks a lot of safety and convenience features" are you referring to?

As an owner of a MY '22, I consider most of the nannies on this car useless, save for maybe the reverse auto braking for cross traffic.

 

[Guzman]

Interesting comments on the A5. My wife had a 2018 S5 Sportback and we had her car and my stinger for about a year together. I would say that the Stinger was 85% of the car for 60% of the price. Interior was nicer on the Audi, and overall build quality was better. Not obvious at first but living with both, the Audi was more refined. More composed over rougher roads, less rattles. The Audi is a bit smaller, but not significant. Powertrain wise the Audi engine sounds much better and the transmission is definitely smoother and quicker(the ZF 8-Speed is probably the industry standard for torque converter automatics). Performance is a wash. Fuel economy was noticeably better in the Audi which was surprising. But all in all, not worth $30K+ more to me....to my wife it was.
She has a Macan Turbo now and it is an order of magnitude better than the Audi as far as build quality. Somewhat plain design-wise on the interior, but everything feels so solid and so well put together. Again not too noticeable at first but living with it you notice the difference, especially compared my Stinger (but it was more than double the price).

If you can live with a few things being rougher around the edges, there is no better performance value at Stinger money.

 

[jays2000]

@jays2000 What "lacks a lot of safety and convenience features" are you referring to?

As an owner of a MY '22, I consider most of the nannies on this car useless, save for maybe the reverse auto braking for cross traffic.

On my list:

• LED headlights - for the looks and better illumination at night
• Lane Keeping and Lane Following Technology - we have this on the MDX, and it's nice on longer trips.
• Rear Parking sensors - eh.. nice to have just in case, although I admit that is what the camera is for.
• Adaptive Cruise Control - a *really* nice feature for any trip on the highway.
• Electronic Parking Brake - The foot-actuated brake in my 2021 reminds me of my friend's 1986 Mitsubishi Mighty Max. <shrug>

The only nanny I actively dislike is Lane Departure Warning. I usually turn it off in the MDX when I drive.

On the other hand, I haven't heard anyone talk about the value of having Kia Connect, but the MY22 MMC losing the sunglasses holder sounds like a bad trade, lol.

 

[JSolo]

^Thanks for the list. Ironically, your list is 180° of mine.

I'll gladly take some HID's over LED. I had HID on the g37 and think night time visibility was better.

The lane keep stuff is subjective. I keep mine off all the time. Occasionally will turn it on, but get a ping-ping feeling as it's trying to keep centered. Roads are too bad around here to go straight all the time. Usually a bit of a slalom course.

Rear parking sensors are indeed useful. Had this on the G37 too. In the old days before sensors and cameras.... we used the mirrors to determine where the rear end was (fun times).

AAC would be nice if it didn't jam on the brakes. Maybe on the open road it's better.

I hate the electronic parking brake. So used to the hand brake on the G (6mt) and accord. What happens when the cable needs to be readjusted?

I don't use the spyware... err kia connect. It's bad enough having a cell phone with.

It's too bad we can't pick and choose the tech we want a la carte.

 

[Redleg94]

^Thanks for the list. Ironically, your list is 180° of mine.

I'll gladly take some HID's over LED. I had HID on the g37 and think night time visibility was better.

The lane keep stuff is subjective. I keep mine off all the time. Occasionally will turn it on, but get a ping-ping feeling as it's trying to keep centered. Roads are too bad around here to go straight all the time. Usually a bit of a slalom course.

Rear parking sensors are indeed useful. Had this on the G37 too. In the old days before sensors and cameras.... we used the mirrors to determine where the rear end was (fun times).

AAC would be nice if it didn't jam on the brakes. Maybe on the open road it's better.

I hate the electronic parking brake. So used to the hand brake on the G (6mt) and accord. What happens when the cable needs to be readjusted?

I don't use the spyware... err kia connect. It's bad enough having a cell phone with.

It's too bad we can't pick and choose the tech we want a la carte.

I generally only use the Lane Keep/Lane Following and SCC on the highway on longer trips. It really reduces the fatigue. I don't find that mine ping pongs as other have talked about, the cars stays pretty centered in the lane as long as both are on and active. I had a Dodge Durango RT rental a couple of weeks ago where I had some long stretches of highway driving, and I missed not having the LKA/LFA capability. I had to pay a lot more attention to simply staying centered in the lane, and I had forgotten how nice it was when your car literally steered itself around bends on the highway.

 

[NYBIOMED]

I generally only use the Lane Keep/Lane Following and SCC on the highway on longer trips. It really reduces the fatigue. I don't find that mine ping pongs as other have talked about, the cars stays pretty centered in the lane as long as both are on and active. I had a Dodge Durango RT rental a couple of weeks ago where I had some long stretches of highway driving, and I missed not having the LKA (Lane Keep Assist)/LFA capability. I had to pay a lot more attention to simply staying centered in the lane, and I had forgotten how nice it was when your car literally steered itself around bends on the highway.

I agree, works well for me and executed better than average IMO.

 

[RM7]

The A5/S5/RS5 sportback is absolutely beautiful, but I think the Stinger/Panamera/Sportback are all towards the top of this class in that respect. There are others like the giant nostril BMW that are on the lower end. The A5 is significantly smaller though and the smallest of this category, at least without getting into the obvious compacts like the CLA and other abominations. The Stinger is one of the largest, being more in between a BMW 4 series GC and 5 series sedan in that respect.

As far as convenience, ACC is a lifesaver on any long trip with traffic. The lane-keep function is a lot less useful IME, but in short bursts it can be extremely nice for taking a drink of water or similar. If I'm using it constantly, I find that I might be too fatigued to be actually driving in the first place. What I don't like is how long the cruise control takes to resume. You can count to 10 alligators or whatever and THEN it increases the throttle to try and match the speed it was previously at. You can get around it with the throttle and holding it till the cruise control catches up...but it's annoying. It could be more "aggressive" in taking off from a stop too...As far as distance and other stuff, people think they are way better drivers than they actually are and if a car in front did stop or lock brakes...chances are they won't be able to stop.

 

[FrankieT]

Just joined the forum, but thought to chip in as I moved from an 2011 A5 to a stinger. The A5 was/is a wonderful car from its super sexy looks and power and roadholding (I had a 3.0 TDI) but I dont regret moving to the stinger one bit though theres several things on the current Audi's that are great like the virtual cockput thingie to have an equivalent A5 with the specs of the Stinger you are looking at a lot more money.