When it comes to luxury cars, the Audi is at the top of many car enthusiasts’ wish lists. The A4 sedan and the A5 Sportback are highly-ranked for the upscale cabins, powerful performance, and good value. But which of these two incredible luxury cars do you choose? How are they alike? How do they differ?

What the Audi A4 and A5 have in common

One of the premier luxury brands across the globe, Audi offers innovative vehicles that are stylish in design with the latest technologies and dynamic performance. The Audi A4 and A5 are similar in platform, but there are differences that set each apart.

At first glance the Audi A4 and A5 don’t appear to be very different. But there are differences. The A4 is a classic sport sedan with all the convenience, performance, and technology Audi has to offer. The A5 Sportback is comparable in size and shares many of the same features with the A4. But it’s a sleek hatchback with all the extra cargo space and practicality that entails.

Both vehicles have been fully redesigned within the last three years. Both have sophisticated interiors that set the bar for luxury in their class. With high-quality materials and upscale styling cues, both offer a comfortable, luxurious cabin. They both offer similar Audi cutting-edge technology and safety features. Both seat up to five passengers.

How the two Audi models are different

You get the most cargo space with the Audi A5 Sportback, while the Audi A4 is more of a traditional three-box sedan. The trunk of the A4 is capable of holding up to 13 cubic feet of cargo space. Meanwhile, the Audi A5 has a Sportback design with the long, stylish profile of a sedan. But the rear cargo area opens like a hatchback so you can fit a lot more stuff inside. You have 22 cubic feet of cargo area in the hatch and 35 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down.

The Audi A5 offers a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine with a 248-hp output. It’s paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. The A4 offers the Ultra engine standard which is a fuel-efficient four-cylinder that puts out 188 hp. You can upgrade to a turbocharged four-cylinder that gets 248 hp. It’s paired with a seven-speed transmission and front-wheel drive as standard. You can get the quattro all-wheel drive for the A4 as an option. 

Verdict: Audi A4 vs Audi A5

When the folks at U.S. News compared the Audi A4 and A5, they noted several things in determining which vehicle had the advantage.

They found the A4 and A5 to be evenly matched when it came to fuel economy, safety features, and interior quality. They are also pretty comparable when it comes to the tech features offered. Both include the standard MMI infotainment system, which is easy to use, both offer Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a good voice command system, and a 7.0-inch touch screen with options to upgrade.

They gave the A4 the advantage when it comes to seat comfort and price. While the A5 hatchback offers more cargo space, there’s more passenger room in the back of the A4 with comfortable seating. 

Yes, the A5 offers more storage space and a better powertrain. The A5 also wins when it comes to handling. You can equip the A4 with the quattro all-wheel-drive system, but the A5 has it standard for excellent handling right off the lot. 

While critics like both cars, many leaned toward the A5 because it was a nice balance of everyday practicality while still being incredibly fun to drive. Ultimately, the U.S. News team selected the A5 as the winner.