DecodedCars2012 Audi A5
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Body styles
- 2dr Cabriolet 2.0 Tfsi Quattro Premium/Pre, 2dr Coupe 2.0 Tfsi Quattro Premium/Premium
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 211 hp
- Transmission
- automatic
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 25 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 182.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,583–4,032 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2012 subcompact car (21.7 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Modest powerUp to 211 hp, versus about 270 hp for similar 2012 models.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Audi A5 is a subcompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 183 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,032 lb (2dr Cabriolet 2.0 Tfsi Quattro Premium/Pre).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 15% better than the 2012 subcompact car average of 21.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2012
- Lightest version 221 lb heavier
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 A5 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Neckarsulm, Germany · Ingolstadt, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2012 A5 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Cabriolet 2.0 Tfsi Quattro Premium/Pre | 182.7 in | 72.8 in | 53.9 in | 108.3 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 4,032 lb | 52/48 |
| 2dr Coupe 2.0 Tfsi Quattro Premium/Premium | 182.7 in | 72.8 in | 53.9 in | 108.3 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,583 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A5 Cabriolet | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | +15% | $3,300 | 355 |
| A5 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | +15% | $3,300 | 355 |
| A5 Cabriolet quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +11% | $3,400 | 370 |
| A5 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | +11% | $3,400 | 370 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Audi A5.
Similar 2012 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Audi A5 (this car) | 25 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 BMW 3 Series | 27 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Audi A4 | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Lexus ES | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Volvo S60 | 23 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2012 Volvo S80 | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jan 30, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V082000 · 162,782 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Not every 2012 Audi A5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Audi A5 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 24 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 8 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 2 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 75,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Audi A5. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other A5 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 A5 | 26 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 A5 | 26 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 A5 | 29 | 185 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2024 A5 | 30 | 185 in | Not rated | 0 | 8 |
| 2023 A5 | 28 | 185 in | Not rated | 0 | 8 |
| 2022 A5 | 29 | 185 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2021 A5 | 28 | 185 in | Not rated | 5 | 8 |
| 2020 A5 | 27 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 60 |
| 2019 A5 | 27 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 12 |
| 2018 A5 | 27 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 6 | 38 |
| 2017 A5 | 26 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 2 |
| 2016 A5 | 26 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →