Audi A5 Black Edition Plus

The Audi A5 Black Edition Plus is undoubtedly the model to go for if you like a flashy, well equipped car. It's based on the already-impressive A5 S line, but adds a range of styling tweaks to make it stand out from the crowd.

The most obvious change is the addition of black 19-inch alloy wheels. They look great, but watch out for kerbs, as any damage will be very easy to spot. Other features include sportier bumpers and side skirts, while all of the A5's chrome trim has been swapped for gloss-black parts. Plus, there's a new rear spoiler, which Audi describes as "enhanced". That's in addition to all the equipment provided by the S line, so you won't need to add many options.

It's worth test-driving a Black Edition Plus back-to-back with an SE model, as the Black has firmer suspension, so while it feel sportier, you may find it too uncomfortable. If that's the case, ask your dealer to swap the suspension for the softer SE setup – it won't cost you any extra.

There's a good choice of petrol and diesel engines in the Audi A5 Black Edition Plus range, but our pick is the 2.0-litre TDI diesel, which provides a good mix of speed, refinement and low running costs.

Good points

Few cars are more elegant than the Audi A5 and the Black Edition Plus adds a useful dose of sporting intent. As well as the styling changes, there's an excellent 505-watt Bang & Olufsen 14-speaker stereo.The Black Edition Plus also features the kit that makes the A5 S line such a compelling model, including sat nav and leather-covered sports seats.

Bad points

The A5 S line is well appointed and doesn't fall short in the looks department, yet you'll need to fork out around £2,000 more for a Black Edition Plus.The BMW 4 Series is more fun to drive, while Audi's excellent and fuel-efficient 2.0-litre TDI Ultra diesel engine isn't available in the Black Edition Plus – or any A5 for that matter.

What you get

• Alloy wheels
• Tyre pressure sensors
• Passenger & Driver airbag
• Front side airbags
• Curtain airbags
• Front fog lights
• Auto climate control
• Full leather seats
• Leather steering wheel
• AUX stereo input
• DAB Radio
• Cruise control
• Stop/Start
• Sports suspension
• Part leather seats
• Sports seats
• Bluetooth

Recommended optional extras

• Audi Drive Select
• Audi Parking System Advanced
• Adaptive cruise control with braking guard and braking assist

Our choice

The Audi A5 Black Edition Plus 2.0-litre TDI strikes the best balance of performance and low running costs, with cheap road tax and the promise of 60mpg fuel economy.