2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet
The all-new 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet replaces last year’s A4 as Audi’s four-seat convertible in residence. Even so, the convertible A5 shares many of its mechanical bits with the A4 sedan and wagon, including its 211 horsepower 2-liter turbocharged engine. Shared styling with the A5 Coupe makes the Cabrio a real looker whether the soft top is up or down — but is it as good to live with as it is to look at? Read on.
Pros
* Great to drive
* Nice blend of power and economy
* Well-appointed interior
* Top can be raised and lowered when the car is moving
Cons
* Pricey
* Not enough lockable storage
Description
* Convertible version of the A5 coupe; replaces last year’s A4 Cabriolet
* Trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige
* Price range (including options): $42,825 – $60,575 ($52,275 as tested)
* Powertrain: 2.0 liter turbo 4-cylinter, 211 hp/258 lb-ft, CVT auto/front-wheel-drive or 6-speed automatic/all-wheel-drive
* EPA MPG estimates: 20-23 MPG city, 26-30 MPG highway
* Observed fuel economy: 23.7 MPG
* The vehicle for this test drive was provided by Audi.
Guide Review – 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet
I know I should write a full-length review of the Audi A5 Cabriolet — it is, after all, a new-for-2010 model — but honestly, I don’t think there’s any need. The A5 Cabrio is a fantastic convertible, and it won’t take me long to tell you why.
How do I love the Audi A5 Cabriolet? Let me count the ways. It’s beautifully styled outside and nicely finished inside. It’s quiet enough to use the built-in Bluetooth speakerphone with the top down at highway speeds. It rides comfortably, handles sharply, and it’s good fun to drive, especially with the optional Quattro all-wheel-drive system. There’s barely a hint of chassis flex, a problem that afflicts more of the A5′s rivals than I care to count (are you listening, Infiniti G37?). The four-cylinder turbo engine accelerates like a V6 and delivers decent fuel economy; I averaged 23.7 MPG. It’s got a halfway-decent back seat and a quarter-decent trunk. Some might complain about the lack of a retractable hardtop, but the A5′s soft top seals up nice and tight, and I love that you can raise and lower the roof when the car is moving up to 30 MPH — no more searching for a place to pull over when those first dreaded raindrops start to fall.
If I was going to complain, I suppose I’d target the lack of lockable storage space (just the glovebox and the trunk), the absence of a manual transmission, and the fact that the windows don’t automatically roll up when you raise the top. And at $43k for starters, the A5 ain’t cheap; you can get a six-cylinder retractable-hardtop Lexus IS 250C for a few grand less, although you’ll have a lot less fun driving it.
