AUDI A5 Sportback Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Four years after the introduction of the second generation of the Audi A5 Sportback, the German automaker unveiled the refreshed version of this moniker at the Frankfurt International Motor Show.

The German automaker had to improve all of its cars due to the stricter Euro 6d emission standards that were due to enter in January 2020. As a result, the four-ring brand had its hands full with almost all of its vehicles. Even though the second generation of the A5 has sold more than 100,000 units per year since its introduction in 2016, there were other models that sold better than this moniker. However, the automaker didn’t just update the vehicle’s exterior; it also performed significant upgrades inside, where it introduced a fresh infotainment system.

While it was difficult for common people to distinguish the facelifted from the non-facelifted version of the 2020 Audi A5 Sportback, there were a few significant differences. All versions were standard with LED headlights, while upper grades boasted Matrix LED or Laser headlamps. In addition, the main grille between them was black and lost most of the chromed details that adorned it. The apron was also reshaped and sported new side scoops decorated with a hexagonal pattern and housing the fog lamps. Those who opted for the S-Line package got the car with broader air intakes that flanked the lower side of the bumper.

The low-slung profile of the car remained largely unchanged. However, Audi considered adding new options for the wheels sized between 18 and 20 inches, depending on the grade and options, which made the car look even sportier. Thanks to the raked windshield, curved roofline, and sloped-down tailgate, that was easy to do. Furthermore, the frameless doors were the icing on the cake, completing the idea of a genuine four-door coupe. At the back, the automaker added new LED taillights with an option for one that featured dynamic turn signals, depending on the grade. Finally, the rear bumper was redesigned and had chromed trims mimicking large rectangular exhausts.

Inside, customers were greeted by a redesigned dashboard featuring a fresh 10.1-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. Audi finally got rid of the rotary knob from the center console and used that area for storage. Fronting the driver was an instrument cluster fitted with analog dials that flanked an LCD. As an option, or standard depending on the engine version, the 2020 Audi A5 Sportback featured the Audi Virtual Cockpit display that could project the map for the navigation system and other information from the car’s onboard computer. In the back, headroom was still limited for taller persons, and the bench seat could split and fold to increase trunk space.

Despite stricter emission standards, Audi continued luring its customers with potent engines ranging between 150 and 286 PS (148 – 282 hp), sending their power to the front or all corners. Most versions were fitted with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox, but the entry-level model was still available with a six-speed manual transmission.

In the summer of 2016, Audi launched the second generation of the A5, ending the wait for its customers, who were eager to see the new product in metal and rubber.

When the German car manufacturer launched the A5 in 2007, it didn’t unveil it in all shapes. It took the automaker a couple of years to extend the lineup with a convertible and a five-door hatchback known as the Sportback. That was a painful decision for the four-ring brand. Still, considering the harsh economic times during the world financial crisis, it had to reduce production costs. In 2016, the car market was running full steam. As a result, the automaker introduced the 2017 Audi A5 Sportback at the same time as the other two versions of it, the Coupe and the Cabriolet. Furthermore, this five-door fastback was the best-selling version of them, so the automaker couldn’t leave it behind. To cut production costs, the automaker made the A5 Sportback on the same platform as the A4, which was a good thing.

At the front, the automaker implemented the same design language as the rest of the Audi range, characterized by the broad singleframe grille. It was flanked by new headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, which were available with Matrix LEDs that allowed the vehicle to adapt its light pattern. The automaker added a pair of side scoops on the lower side of the bumper in the apron, which housed the available fog lamps.

With its low-slung profile of a coupe, the 2017 Audi A5 Sportback was a clear threat to other four-door coupes on the market. Its overall shape resembled that of its predecessor. It still featured some of the basic lines that made the first generation of the A5 Sportback a sales winner, but they were sharper. Fortunately, Audi understood that its customers liked the frameless doors, so it kept them. Another advantage of the Sportback was the triangular window placed between the rear doors and the tailgate, which helped reduce blind spots. Finally, at the back, the wide opening of the tailgate also integrated part of the taillights, which were stretched from the quarter panels.

Audi was criticized by its fans for the interior of the A5’s first generation. As a result, the second iteration of this nameplate brought significant improvements to the cabin. Fronting the driver was a new instrument cluster available with analog dials for the speedometer, tachometer, fuel level, and coolant temperature. As an option, customers could order the vehicle with the Audi Virtual Cockpit, which replaced the instrument panel with a high-quality multi-function display that included all of the above and then some more directly on the screen that fronted the steering wheel. In the back, legroom was increased, but headroom was still a problem for taller adults on longer journeys.

Under the hood, the automaker offered the 2017 Audi A5 Sportback with a choice of diesel, gasoline, and CNG, depending on the market. These were paired with either a manual or an automatic transmission. Depending on the grade and options, customers could order the car with front or all-wheel drive systems.

Audi refreshed the entire A5 family and launched it at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show for the 2012 model year, and the top-seller of the lineup was the five-door Sportback.

When the German automaker introduced the A5 in its family, it started with a long-awaited two-door coupe in 2007. Then, the five-door Sportback came and became an instant hit on the market. It was built on the same platform as the A4 and provided enough room for four adults and luggage space. Furthermore, the four-door coupe shape of the vehicle was convincing. Unfortunately, the model was launched during the world financial crisis, which damaged sales. But still, it became a darling for many since it was an excellent blend between a family sedan and a sporty-looking coupe. With the refreshed 2012 model year, the A5 Sportback became an even better alternative to regular sedans.

At the front, the automaker revamped the vehicle. It introduced new headlights that featured frame-style LED daytime running lights, replacing the previously used ones underlining them. The singleframe grille between them had a crisper look and was adorned by new horizontal slats with slim double chromed lines. On the lower side of the bumper, the automaker placed new side scoops that accommodated flat, rectangular fog lamps instead of the round ones used for the 2009 model year.

Audi didn’t consider making significant changes to the car’s profile. Still, a keen eye for detail could notice that the 2012 Audi A5 Sportback had slightly longer bumpers, which increased the length by 10 millimeters (0.4 inches). However, it installed 18-inch alloy wheels instead of the 17-inch ones, improving the car’s sporty look. The crisp lower line on the doors also added more flair to the vehicle, making customers forget that under the skin was a regular Audi A4 sedan. Out back, Audi offered the option for new taillights with continuous LED stripes for the parking lights and turn signals.

However, the cabin was vastly improved. The driver fronted a new instrument cluster featuring clear dials with sharper numbers on the speedometer and tachometer. In addition, the TFT display between them was crisp and easier to read than the LCD one used on the non-facelifted version of the car. In addition, the 2012 Audi A5 Sportback was available with a fresh infotainment system placed atop the center stack. The car manufacturer learned from its mistakes and re-arranged the center console, thus reducing the number of buttons while making the layout more easy to operate. In the back, there was still room for two occupants on the split-folding (60/40) bench seat, even though the automaker put three headrests on the seatback.

Under the hood, the 2012 Audi A5 Sportback was powered by a range of gasoline and diesel engines, all turbocharged and featuring direct fuel injection. Furthermore, the car manufacturer ditched the classic automatic transmission versions, leaving customers only with manuals, dual-clutch, and CVTs. Fortunately, the quattro all-wheel drive option was still available for most of them, while higher-powered versions were fitted with traction on all corners as standard.

Audi started production and selling of the five-door fastback Audi A5 Sportback in September 2009 for specific markets, while other countries followed in the next year.

After Mercedes-Benz brought back the four-door coupe vehicles along with the introduction of the 2004 CLS, other car manufacturers joined the new trend. After the three-pointed-star brand, Volkswagen came with the Passat CC in 2008, and Audi followed a year later with the 2009 A5 Sportback. While it wasn’t exactly a four-door coupe, it offered an alternative that attracted many customers. After all, it had that stance of a fastback vehicle, and customers couldn’t care less if the car had two, four, or five doors as long as it served the purpose of transporting a family of four in a car that looked sporty and provided decent running costs. Furthermore, it was available with a wide choice of engines and transmissions, making it a better alternative for the A4 Sedan, with which it shared its platform.

Audi didn’t have to design the entire car from scratch. It took the front fascia from the coupe and adapted it on the 2009 A5 Sportback. It featured a broad, reversed trapezoidal grille flanked by a pair of xenon headlights adorned by 13 LEDs each for the daytime running lights. The lower bumper looked slightly different depending on the trim level and options. Regardless of that, it was also available with a pair of fog lamps integrated into the side scoops that flanked the main grille.

The first four-door coupe vehicle in automotive history was the 1962 Rover P5 Mark II. After that, most automakers moved to more conventional shapes, but that idea didn’t catch on. It was too early. Then, in 2004, Mercedes-Benz launched the CLS and revived that idea. Audi considered improving it and made the 2009 A5 Sportback a four-door coupe with a tailgate at the back. The low-slung profile, the sloped down rear end, and the frameless side windows won the hearts and wallets of its customers. To increase visibility, the automaker added a third window between the rear doors and the tailgate, emphasizing the car's sporty look. In addition, thanks to the wide opening, loading and unloading the trunk was a breeze.

The interior of the 2009 Audi A5 Sportback resembled the one from the 2007 Audi A5 Coupe at the front. It had the same instrument cluster with large dials for the speedometer and tachometer, which flanked an LCD for the onboard computer. However, the most significant advantage was for those seated in the back. The two-door version was often criticized for its cramped rear seats. That problem was solved for the Sportback version. Thanks to its four-door bodywork, ingress and egress were easy. Even though the transmission tunnel limited legroom for the middle-seated passenger, there was still enough space to accommodate two people on the split-folding (60/40) bench seat.

Under the hood, Audi installed a wide choice of gasoline or turbodiesel engines. It paired them with manual, automatic, or CVT transmissions. The former two sent their power to the front wheels or in all corners for the quattro versions, while the latter was a front-wheel drive affair only. The automaker even offered an adaptive suspension.