There is no denying the fact that the Audi A4, produced since 1994, has been one of the vehicles that has contributed the most to Audi’s popularity as a recognized luxury manufacturer among the general public. This has led to the development of a true lineup, including, over the generations, ultra-sporty versions (the incredible RS4!), but also family variants (the A4 Avant), as well as iterations with more adventurous pretensions (A4 Allroad). On the other hand, the two-door versions for this body size are reserved for the superb Audi A5, a coupe that the ring-spotted automaker put into production in 2007. Thus, until then, the boundary between Audi’s luxury compact cars and their coupé counterparts was well established. But since the arrival of the Audi A5 Sportback, the line has become blurred, causing confusion among buyers as to which premium car to choose from Audi’s current lineup. Audi Blainville, your premier Audi dealer in the city of the same name, helps you see things more clearly by allowing you to make up your mind with this A4 vs. A5 Sportback comparison.
Body: the dynamic lines of the A5 Sportback versus the practicality of the Audi A4.
The first and most obvious round of this comparison between the 2020 A5 Sportback and 2020 Audi A4 concerns the exterior design. In both cases, you can count on typical Audi features such as the unmistakable singleframe grille, scalpel-sharp headlights and muscular, hollowed-out flanks. You’ll also find the four doors perfectly integrated into the profile of each vehicle, and the everyday practicality of which is no longer to be proven.
Nevertheless, this same profile is the biggest difference between the two cars. While the 2020 Audi A4 is very dynamic from the side, it still remains in very classic three-box sedan volumes. The 2020 Audi A5 Sportback is closer to a two-piece body (hood + cabin) with a rear section marked by an almost fastback roof for the rear window, and a very short flat trunk section. This A5 is also lower (1,386 mm versus 1,428 mm for the A4). The result is a line that’s closer to a coupe than the A4, which adds an undeniable sporty touch to the A5’s styling, but at the price of a lower passenger compartment, especially in terms of headroom, because of the lower roof.
So, if you’re looking for a sportier look, the 2020 Audi A5 Sportback and its four-door coupe body is the one for you. If, on the other hand, you want more roominess and/or a more classic style between Blainville and St-Jérôme, you’ll have to turn to the 2020 A4.
Engines: more sportiness for the 2020 A5 between Montreal’s North Shore and the Laurentians.
The second point where the two Audi vehicles differ but are very similar is the technical part. Let’s start with the similarities, which are the most numerous, especially concerning the “standard” versions of the A4 and A5. For the latter, it’s quite simple: they are all equipped with a 1,984 cc supercharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque via a 7-speed S tronic transmission. All are also equipped with the quattro all-wheel drive. The same goes for the 2020 Audi S4 Sedan and 2020 S5 Sportback, both equipped with a 349 hp turbocharged V6 engine for 369 lb-ft of maximum torque, as well as an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission and quattro drive.
Test-drive the Audi A4
But the Audi A5 Sportback takes sportiness a step further by offering an incredible RS variant, more precisely named Audi RS5 Sportback. While it hasn’t yet adopted the latest revisions of the A5, the 2019 RS 5 Sportback is still sportier than the most demonstrative of the A4s, with its 444-horsepower, 442 lb-ft of torque V6 engine that, thanks to its 8-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, allows the RS 5 Sportback to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, for a top speed that’s unmatched between the North Shore of Montreal and the Laurentians (280 km/h).
Thus, if you’re looking for top-notch performance that’s easy to get used to on a daily basis, the Audi A4 and S4 sedans, and the Audi A5 and S5 Sportback are for you. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for pure performance, you’ll have to opt for the super-powerful Audi RS 5 Sportback, which should be restyled shortly to match the recently revised A5 lineup.
Interior: two ultra-luxurious and welcoming interiors, whether you’re a passenger or a driver.
Finally, there’s the interior, where you’ll spend most of your time as a passenger. On this point, knowing that the A5 remains originally the coupe version of the A4, the two interiors are almost similar in design, with a clean, horizontally-styled dashboard, where the air vents take the form of a thin, continuous grille over most of the dashboard. The steering wheel is also similar, and offers optimum grip. The main difference remains the number of seats, which is five for the A4, compared to only four for the A5. So, if you’re looking for interior practicality for your daily commute between the Laurentians and the North Shore, the A4 is the best choice.
On the other hand, no matter which model you choose, you can count on a level of luxury that is the benchmark in their respective classes between Blainville and Saint-Jérôme. B&O audio system, digital Audi Virtual Cockpit instead of the analog dashboard, three-zone automatic climate control and a sunroof: you’ll have everything you could dream of for your daily commute, or to go much further on weekends.
Conclusion: choose the A4 sedan for versatility, but the A5 for sportiness in Blainville!
So, the 2020 Audi A4 Sedan and 2020 Audi A5 are aimed at customers who have a lot in common, but who remain different. Those looking for an excellent level of performance, but proven and exceptional versatility will go for Audi’s successful sedan, while those looking for sportiness both in the lines and under the hood, without losing too much practicality, will opt for the Audi four-door coupe. In both cases, technical refinement and luxury will be the order of the day. Still not sure which vehicle to choose between the two? Contact one of our specialists at Audi Blainville, your Audi dealer of choice on the North Shore of Montreal! We will answer all your questions and take advantage of the opportunity to help you discover Audi offers and the leasing and financing programs which will help you to get back home behind the wheel of YOUR very own 2020 A4 or A5 Sportback. We look forward to helping you acquire your next Audi!
