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In-depth reviews

Audi A5 - Reliability & safety

The Audi A5 is packed with safety kit, with whole menus on the touchscreen devoted to driver-assistance systems

Reliability & safety rating

3.8

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Safety experts Euro NCAP have awarded the Audi A5 the maximum five-star rating. Direct comparisons between the 3-Series and C-Class can’t be made because these rivals were tested under earlier, less stringent testing criteria, but against electric alternatives, the Volkswagen ID.7 scored better in all categories, while the BYD Seal did better in the adult and child occupancy categories, and had a higher vulnerable road user protection result.

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Standard safety kit on all cars includes adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and intersection, turn and swerve assist, as well as front and rear parking sensors and 360-degree and rear-view cameras. But only the top Edition 1 models get lane-change assist, the top-down camera and the proactive passenger-protection system that preempts an accident and primes the car’s safety systems. 

The outgoing A4 finished quite a long way down our Driver Power rankings of the 50 best cars according to owners. It ranked 44th, with the reliability rating a couple of positions lower, although owners rated it highly for value and for economy and running costs. 

Key standard safety featuresEuro NCAP safety ratings
  • Traffic-sign recognition
  • Lane-keep assist with emergency stop function
  • Park assist with reversing camera
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Autonomous emergency braking
  • Five-star (Euro NCAP, 2024)
  • Adult occupant protection - 87%
  • Child occupant protection - 86%
  • Vulnerable road user protection - 78% 
  • Safety assist - 77%

Warranty

Audi only gives what is the most basic of warranties at three years and 60,000 miles. Both BMW and Mercedes at least offer unlimited miles with their three-year warranties, whereas other premium brands are more generous, with Genesis giving five years and unlimited miles, and Alfa Romeo five years or 75,000 miles, while Lexus will go to 10 years or 100,000, provided the car is serviced at a main dealer every year. 

It is possible to extend the A5’s warranty to four years/75,000 miles or five years/90,000 miles for an extra cost. 

Servicing

Audi hasn’t yet put out details of the service schedule for the A5, but its cars are available with flexible servicing, which is up to 18,600 miles or two years depending on the car’s sensors assessing the oil degradation. But on some models Audi offers a one-year or 9,300-mile oil service, and an inspection service every two years or 18,600 miles.

Audi pledges to price-match on service, repair, maintenance or new tyres, on any quote that includes Audi genuine parts.

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As Editor, Paul’s job is to steer the talented group of people that work across Auto Express, Carbuyer and Driving Electric, and steer the titles to even bigger and better things by bringing the latest important stories to our readers. Paul has been writing about cars and the car industry since 2000, working for consumer and business magazines as well as freelancing for national newspapers, industry titles and a host of major publications.

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