Audi A5 coupe (2007-2016) - Interior & comfort

The Audi A5 coupe's ride, handling and refinement are a little disappointing for a premium car. It grips well, yet can feel a little floaty over dips and crests, as well as unsettled on bumpy roads. The S line's lower suspension helps, but it makes the ride a little too firm and crashy on UK roads. The A5 coupe is a quiet car, although at motorway speeds there's a bit too much wind noise.

It looks and feels the part, though. Few brands can match Audi's knack for building sturdy, good-looking interiors. The majority of A5s are bought as company cars, so the usual warnings about some options adding no value when you go to sell the car probably don't apply. However, they will affect the car's Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rating, so be careful what you choose.

Audi A5 dashboard

It's easy to get comfortable at the controls of the A5 coupe, thanks to a wide range of adjustment for the leather steering wheel and driver's seat. Once you're installed, you can admire the handsome dashboard with its precise controls, alloy detailing and top-quality mouldings.

Equipment

SE is the most basic trim level, but for many people, it'll be more than adequate. There's three-zone climate control, an electronic parking brake with automatic release and a 6.5-inch colour display. DAB digital radio, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a 10-speaker stereo are also standard. SE trim also has leather seats, with the front pair being heated. It would be the best-value trim level, except for the fact that it looks quite plain sitting on small 17-inch alloy wheels.

The 18-inch wheels, lower suspension and bold bodykit that come with S line trim improve things a lot. This spec also adds sat nav, additional alloy detailing, more upmarket Napa leather and front sports seats. Costing just over £2,500 more than the SE, it's not bad value for money and it's also our pick of the range.

Top-spec Black Edition Plus brings a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, piano-black inlays, dark privacy glass, 19-inch alloy wheels (which spoil the ride) and black finishing. It costs £1,500 more than an S line, or over £3,000 more than an SE, but we don't think it’s really worth the extra.

Options

Options are plentiful but expensive. One of the costliest is the £1,130 adaptive-headlight system for the SE. At the other extreme, £665 for the larger and better-looking 18-inch alloy wheels for the same trim level looks like money well spent.

Other options, including sports suspension, Drive Select (which offers five different handling modes), dynamic steering (for marginally sharper responses) and damper control (which allows you to fine-tune the suspension) are not worth the expense.

Beyond these, there's the possibility of trimming, finishing and painting your A5 to your own tastes. As ever, be careful, since you're unlikely to see any financial benefit from this when you sell the car.