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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Coupe |
| Base Price | $35,036–$43,183 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.2/10, the 2016 Audi A5 earns a Good rating among the coupes we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Value at 6.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional coupe — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 8.1/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. Safety is a strength too — 8.5/10 by our scoring. As with any car, verify the official ratings for your specific trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
The 8.2/10 performance score reflects a chassis and powertrain that punch above the segment norm — this is a coupe you choose partly for the drive itself. Technology comes in at 7.7/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $35,036–$43,183, 20 MPG, seating 4, the Audi A5 sits in the mid-market bracket of the coupe segment. The value score of 6.9/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2016 Audi A5, but it needs the right buyer. Its value scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Audi A5 ranks #91 of 110 coupes in the Carivo database — better than 18% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $35,036 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $47,314 by about 26%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Coupe ranking →
Across the A5 model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $47,483 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $47,483 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $46,100 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $44,717 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $43,334 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $41,951 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $40,568 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $39,185 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $37,802 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $36,419 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $35,036 | |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $33,653 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / Wiring 05/10/2017 · 17V622000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to… |
|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling / Cooling system 03/01/2017 · 17V002000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an… |
| Engine and engine cooling / Cooling system 11/04/2018 · 18V229000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2016 Audi A5's reliability 8.1/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #91 of 110 coupes in our database (better than 18% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2016 Audi A5 starts at $35,036 and ranges up to $43,183 across trims (MSRP when new). At 20 MPG, expect roughly $2,625/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.