2018 Audi A5
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

- Class
- Subcompact Cars
- Body styles
- 2dr Convertible, 2dr Coupe, Sportback
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 252 hp
- Transmission
- automatic
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 4
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 27 combined · 24 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 183.9–186.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,605–3,990 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 Audi A5 is a subcompact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 184 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,990 lb (2dr Convertible).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 27 MPG combined (24 city / 34 highway), 14% better than the 2018 subcompact car average of 23.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 A5 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 A5 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Ingolstadt, Germany · Neckarsulm, Germany
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 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 Convertible | 183.9 in | 72.8 in | 53.9 in | 108.7 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,990 lb | 56/44 |
| 2dr Coupe | 183.9 in | 72.8 in | 53.9 in | 108.7 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,605 lb | 56/44 |
| Sportback | 186.6 in | 72.4 in | 54.3 in | 111.4 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 3,704 lb | 57/43 |
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 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 34 / 27 | +14% | $3,050 | 327 |
| A5 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 27 | +14% | $3,050 | 327 |
| A5 Sportback quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 34 / 27 | -1% | $3,050 | 327 |
| A5 quattro | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 34 / 27 | +14% | $3,050 | 327 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 Audi A5.
Similar 2018 subcompact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Audi A5 (this car) | 27 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2018 BMW 3 Series | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2018 Lexus IS | 26 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 Audi A4 | 31 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | 310 mi | ★★★★★ | 19 |
| 2018 Audi A6 | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2018 Audi A3 | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
Recalls (6)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Nov 10, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V874000 · 208,332 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
- Risk
- A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jul 24, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V547000 · 145,337 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2018 S5 Cabriolet, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, S4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, and 2017-2018 A4 Sedan and A4 Allroad vehicles. Oxidation on the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) connecting cable may cause the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
- Risk
- A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will install cable ties to the harness, free of charge. The recall began September 9, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi's number for this recall is 74D9.
Suspension › Front · Dec 17, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V893000 · 36 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of North America (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback vehicles. The front suspension fasteners may not have been sufficiently tightened during vehicle production, possibly resulting in a front wheel becoming loose.
- Risk
- A loose front wheel may increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the front suspension fasteners, and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40O2.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Nov 27, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V836000 · 12 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and 2017-2018 Audi A4 Allroad vehicles. A passenger air bag module mounting screw may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly affecting the deployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- If the air bag does not deploy correctly in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of an injury.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air bag mounting screw, tightening or replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Y4.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Dec 20, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V822000 · 8,037 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A5 Coupe vehicles. The affected vehicles were built with head curtain air bag assemblies that may not unfold properly. As such, these vehicle fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the head curtain air bag, if the air bag does not deploy properly, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will modify the head curtain air bags so that they deploy properly, free of charge. The recall began on January 18, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 11-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69T7.
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge And Attachments · Oct 25, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V675000 · 31,323 vehicles
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad, and 2018 A5 Sportback vehicles. The aluminum trim on the front and rear doors can come loose from around the door speakers, leaving sharp edges exposed.
- Risk
- The sharp edges of the speaker trim increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
- Fix
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the speaker cover aluminum trim, free of charge. The recall began March 13, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 70G6.
Not every 2018 Audi A5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2018 Audi A5 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 8 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Service Brakes — 4 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Structure › Body — 4 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 7,000 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 2018 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 |
| 2017 A5 | 26 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 2 |
| 2016 A5 | 26 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 7 |
| 2015 A5 | 26 | 182.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 9 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →