Archived model-year dossier
2018 Audi A5
The 2018 Audi A5 is the redesigned second-generation car, lighter and sharper with a T-handle shifter and updated MMI, and a Sportback body new to the lineup. Kelley Blue Book puts used prices from $16,600. NHTSA lists six recalls, including head curtain air bags and loose front suspension fasteners, plus 9 complaints. EPA rates it 27 mpg combined.
Configurations4
Model/option labels3
Combined efficiency27 MPG/MPGe
Electric rangeNot listed
Decision answers6
What changed on the 2018 Audi A5
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) describes a sharpened, lightened and redesigned A5 and S5 that brings Audi's T-handle shifter and an updated MMI infotainment and navigation suite to the coupe. Cars.com (opens in a new tab) says the manual A5 drives through a Quattro Ultra system that can send power to the front wheels only to save fuel, the automatic uses a traditional Quattro system, and all A5 and S5 coupes have a panoramic sunroof, ambient LED lighting and aluminum interior trim as standard. The S5 adds sport seats with a massage function and a flat-bottom steering wheel.
Boston.com (opens in a new tab) notes the Sportback version, a more utilitarian body than the coupe, and a 252-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder with standard Quattro all-wheel drive. Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) puts the cheapest 2018 A5, the Premium coupe, at a Fair Purchase Price of $16,600. EPA rates the 2018 A5 at 27 mpg combined and $2,850 a year in fuel.
Recalls and problems owners report
NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for the 2018 A5. 17V822000 covers 2018 A5 coupes with head curtain air bags that may not unfold properly, and Audi modifies them free of charge. 18V893000 covers 2018 A5 Sportbacks whose front suspension fasteners may not have been tightened enough, possibly letting a front wheel become loose, and 19V547000 and 21V874000 cover passenger occupant detection cables that can disable the passenger air bag. The other two cover a passenger air bag mounting screw and loose aluminum door trim around the speakers.
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA: power train, electrical system and engine with 2 each, and suspension and air bags with 1 each. ProblemsByVin (opens in a new tab) says nine complaints is too few for a confident buy-or-avoid verdict, and Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) keeps a common-problems page for the year.
2018 A5 against the 4 Series, C-Class and RC
EPA rates the 2018 A5 at 27 mpg combined and $2,850 a year in fuel. The BMW 4 Series lists 23 to 27 at $2,850 to $3,350, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 19 to 30 at $2,600 to $4,100, and the Lexus RC 19 to 26 at $3,000 to $4,100. The A5 matches the top of the 4 Series range and beats the RC.
Trim-by-trim specifications
The 2018 Audi A5: 3 trims compared.
Kelley Blue Book specifications, one row per trim.
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | 0–60 mph | Top speed | EPA city / hwy / comb | Seats | Basic warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | Auto, 7-Spd S tronic | AWD | 252 | 273 | 5.6 s | 130 mph | 24 / 34 / 27 mpg | 4 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Prestige | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | Auto, 7-Spd S tronic | AWD | 252 | 273 | 5.6 s | 130 mph | 24 / 34 / 27 mpg | 4 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Premium Plus | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) | Auto, 7-Spd S tronic | AWD | 252 | 273 | 5.6 s | 130 mph | 24 / 34 / 27 mpg | 4 | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
| Trim | Curb weight | Length | Height | Wheelbase | Turning circle | Fuel tank | Front headroom | Front legroom | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | 3,605 lb | 184 in | 54 in | 108.8 in | 37.7 ft | 15.3 gal | 39 in | 41.3 in | P245/40R18 |
| Prestige | 3,605 lb | 184 in | 108.8 in | 37.7 ft | 15.3 gal | 39 in | 41.3 in | P255/35R19 | |
| Premium Plus | 3,605 lb | 184 in | 54 in | 108.8 in | 37.7 ft | 15.3 gal | 39 in | 41.3 in | P255/35R19 |
Equipment by trim
Which 2018 Audi A5 trim has what.
Std is standard, Opt is optional, a dash means Kelley Blue Book lists it as not available.
| Equipment | Premium | Prestige | Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | |||
| Anti-theft alarm | Opt | Std | Std |
| Blind-spot alert | – | Std | Std |
| Child-seat anchors | Std | Std | Std |
| Forward collision warning | Std | Std | Std |
| Rearview camera | Std | – | Std |
| Top-view camera | – | Std | – |
| Front and rear parking sensors | – | Std | Std |
| Rear parking sensors | – | Std | Std |
| Electronic stability control | Std | Std | Std |
| Traction control | Std | Std | Std |
| Technology | |||
| Bluetooth audio streaming | Std | Std | Std |
| Bluetooth | Std | Std | Std |
| Hands-free calling | Std | Std | Std |
| Built-in internet access | Opt | Std | Opt |
| Navigation system | Opt | Std | Opt |
| Premium audio system | – | Std | Opt |
| Real-time traffic information | – | Std | – |
| Satellite radio | Opt | Std | Std |
| Apple CarPlay or Android Auto | Std | Std | Std |
| Comfort | |||
| Heated front seats | Opt | Std | Std |
| Heated steering wheel | – | Opt | Opt |
| Heated mirrors | Std | Std | Std |
| Power front seats for driver and passenger | Std | Std | Std |
| Power driver's seat | Std | Std | Std |
| Leather seats | Std | Std | Std |
| Leather interior trim | – | – | Opt |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | – | – | Opt |
| Front and rear climate zones | Std | Std | Std |
| Panoramic moonroof | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt steering wheel | Std | Std | Std |
| Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel | Std | Std | Std |
| Cup holders | Std | Std | Std |
| Folding rear seat | Std | Std | Std |
| Exterior and convenience | |||
| Alloy wheels | Opt | Opt | Opt |
| Rear spoiler | Opt | Opt | Opt |
| Roof rails | Opt | Opt | Opt |
| Power-folding mirrors | – | Std | Std |
| Power liftgate or trunk | – | – | Std |
| Power windows | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote keyless entry | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote engine start | Std | Std | Std |
| Proximity keyless entry | Opt | Std | Std |
| Cruise control | Std | Std | Std |
| Integrated garage-door opener | Std | Std | Std |
| Rear-window defroster | Std | – | Std |
| Rain-sensing wipers | Std | Std | Std |
| Dual-clutch automatic transmission | Std | Std | Std |
Complete certification table
4 configuration records.
| EPA ID / label | Engine / technology | Drive / transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38570A5 Cabriolet quattro | 2L 4-cyl SIDIConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S7) | Premium | 24 | 34 | 27 | N/A |
| 38571A5 quattro | 2L 4-cyl SIDIConventional | All-Wheel DriveManual 6-spd | Premium | 24 | 33 | 27 | N/A |
| 38580A5 quattro | 2L 4-cyl SIDIConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S7) | Premium | 24 | 34 | 27 | N/A |
| 38576A5 Sportback quattro | 2L 4-cyl SIDIConventional | All-Wheel DriveAutomatic (AM-S7) | Premium | 24 | 34 | 27 | N/A |
Model-specific answer center
6 answers for this exact family-year.
Q01What changed on the 2018 Audi A5 versus the 2017 Audi A5?
Model year
Against the 2017 Audi A5: Model/option labels added: A5 Sportback quattro. Engine descriptions no longer listed: 2L 4-cyl SIDI; FFV. Transmissions added: Automatic (AM-S7). Transmissions no longer listed: Automatic (S8). Fuel types no longer listed: Premium or E85. EPA size classes added: Midsize Cars. Certification records went from 3 to 4. Midpoint combined efficiency moved from 25.0 to 27.0 MPG/MPGe. Federal recall campaigns on file went from 2 for the 2017 to 6 for the 2018.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov certification records for both model years
Q02Which current models share the 2018 Audi A5's EPA class?
Comparison
Class peers of the 2018 Audi A5 in the current EPA data include 2026 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2027 Audi A5, 2026 Audi A6, 2025 Audi A7, 2025 Audi RS 5, 2026 Audi RS 7, and 31 more.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov current vehicle table
Q03How quickly does the 2018 Audi A5 accelerate from 0 to 60 mph?
Performance
The 2018 Audi A5's 0-60 mph time is 5.6 seconds on every trim. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q04How do the 2018 Audi A5 trims differ from one another?
Trims
All 3 trims share the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) making 252 hp. The Prestige has an anti-theft alarm, blind-spot alert, front and rear parking sensors and 10 more as standard equipment over the Premium. The Premium Plus has a power liftgate or trunk, a rearview camera and a rear-window defroster as standard equipment over the Prestige.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q05What is the 2018 Audi A5's top speed?
Performance
The 2018 Audi A5's top speed is 130 mph on every trim. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications. The 2016 model year has the same figure.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q06What size wheels does the 2018 Audi A5 have?
Wheels and tires
The 2018 Audi A5's wheel diameter is 18 inches on the Premium and 19 inches on the Prestige and Premium Plus. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications. The 2015 model year has the same figure.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Live NHTSA evidence
Current federal safety records for 2018 Audi A5.
Exact-vehicle evidence desk
Check the exact vehicle, not just the model name.
Recalls, build data and service applicability are determined at VIN level, not by model name.
01 · NHTSASafety ratings, recalls, complaints and manufacturer communicationsExact model-year search → (opens in a new tab)02 · NHTSACheck open safety recalls by 17-character VINOfficial VIN remedy status → (opens in a new tab)03 · vPICDecode manufacturer-submitted vehicle attributesInternal VIN tool →04 · EPAQuery another year, make, model and option1984–current browser →
FuelEconomy.gov data source (opens in a new tab) · Methodology
Other model years
Compare the Audi A5 across model years.
Ownership desk
Problems and maintenance decisions worth checking next.
Warning lightsAirbag or SRS warning lightSoon →Starting and chargingEngine starts and immediately diesDepends →Engine and coolingEngine loses power during accelerationSoon →Transmission and drivetrainWhine or howl from a differentialSoon →Brakes, tires and steeringWhy tire pressure drops in cold weatherRoutine →Climate and electricalA fuse keeps blowing after replacementStop driving →