Audi A5 coupe (2007-2016) - MPG, running costs & CO2

Your choice of diesel or petrol power – as well as your choice of transmission and drive layout – can make a big difference to the Audi A5's running costs. Fuel economy ranges from a best of 60.1mpg to a worst of 35.8mpg, so it pays to study the brochure carefully.

Insurance costs are on par with other upmarket models – in other words, quite expensive. Servicing costs can be spread from month to month, but the warranty is capped at three years or 60,000 miles. BMW's is better, covering you for three years with no mileage limit.

Audi A5 MPG and CO2

The most efficient A5 coupe is the 187bhp 2.0-litre TDI, which returns up to 60.1mpg and costs as little as £110 a year in road tax, thanks to CO2 emissions of 124g/km. This engine is available with a choice of two drive layouts (regular two-wheel drive and quattro four-wheel drive) as well as either standard manual or S tronic automatic transmission.

These figures are identical to the 60.1mpg and £110 annual tax managed by the slightly more powerful BMW 420d SE. In 187bhp 2.0-litre TDI quattro automatic form, the A5's figures deteriorate to 56.5mpg and £130-a-year road tax. Beyond the 2.0-litre diesels, the range-topping 239bhp 3.0-litre TDI quattro returns just 46.3mpg and costs £185 a year to tax.

As for the petrol engines, the 1.8-litre TFSI manual can manage 48.7mpg and road tax of £130 a year. At the other extreme, the 2.0-litre TFSI quattro S tronic returns 41.5mpg and costs £185 a year to tax – actually pretty reasonable figures for a powerful four-wheel-drive petrol car.

Insurance group

The A5 is a premium German executive coupe, so don’t expect Ford Fiesta-like insurance costs. Groups range from 25 for the 1.8-litre TFSI to 39 for the 3.0-litre TDI quattro. However, groups may be a little higher or lower depending on the exact trim level you go for. The BMW 4 Series, meanwhile, ranges from group 23 for the 418d to group 40 for the 435d.

Warranty

The A5 coupe is covered by a conventional three-year/60,000-mile warranty. If you intend to keep it for longer, you can buy an extended warranty – cover for up to five years and 90,000 miles costs £1,255. In contrast, BMW gives the 4 Series unlimited-mileage cover for the first three years of ownership.

Servicing

The A5 coupe’s servicing schedule is determined by how you use the car, with low-mileage drivers required to visit the dealer every 9,000 miles or one year. Those covering more than 10,000 miles a year – particularly if it's mostly gentle motorway cruising – will only need their car looked at every two years or 19,000 miles. Like other brands, Audi offers service plans that allow you to spread the cost. Prices for these range from £16 a month for servicing to £33 a month for servicing and tyres.