Makes›Audi›A5›2018

2018 Audi A5

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

Audi A5
Pictured: Audi A5 B10 DSC 7314. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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

Engine252 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissionautomatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating4 seats · 2 rows

Trims

S Line quattro Premium Plus, S Line quattro Progressiv (Canada)quattro Premium Plusquattro Premium Plus, quattro Progressiv (Canada)quattro Prestige

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Lane departure warningOptional
Lane keeping assistOptional
Adaptive cruise controlOptional
Parking assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamOptional
Keyless startStandard

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

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Convertible183.9 in72.8 in53.9 in108.7 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,990 lb56/44
2dr Coupe183.9 in72.8 in53.9 in108.7 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,605 lb56/44
Sportback186.6 in72.4 in54.3 in111.4 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,704 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
A5 Cabriolet quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 27+14%$3,050327
A5 quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive24 / 33 / 27+14%$3,050327
A5 Sportback quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 27-1%$3,050327
A5 quattro2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (AM-S7)All-Wheel Drive24 / 34 / 27+14%$3,050327
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.7 MPG2018 Subcompact Cars average

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

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2018 Audi A5 (this car)27 MPGNot rated6
2018 BMW 3 Series36 MPG★★★★★0
2018 Lexus IS26 MPGNot rated1
2018 Audi A431 MPGNot rated4
2018 Tesla Model 3310 mi★★★★★19
2018 Audi A628 MPG★★★★★2
2018 Audi A336 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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Audi A5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

38Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
7,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other8
Engine8
Service Brakes4
Structure › Body4
Electrical System4
Visibility/Wiper3
Air Bags3
Power Train3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/03: 120/09: 121/01: 121/04: 121/06: 122/06: 122/08: 122/10: 122/12: 223/04: 123/07: 123/09: 124/08: 124/09: 124/11: 125/01: 125/02: 425/05: 125/06: 125/07: 125/09: 226/02: 226/08: 226/09: 120/0321/0422/0823/0424/0825/0125/0626/02max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Audi A5 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 8 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Service Brakes — 4 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Structure › Body — 4 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 7,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. 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 →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 A526–Not rated00
2026 A526190.2 inNot rated01
2025 A529185 inNot rated29
2024 A530185 inNot rated08
2023 A528185 inNot rated08
2022 A529185 inNot rated27
2021 A528185 inNot rated58
2020 A527183.9 inNot rated460
2019 A527183.9 inNot rated312
2017 A526182.7 inNot rated32
2016 A526182.7 inNot rated37
2015 A526182.7 inNot rated39

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →