Overall rating:

The Audi A5 has been facelifted with new front and rear lights and a host of engine revisions. We drive the 3.0 TDI model and wonder why you'd ever want anything else.

Key Facts

Model tested: Audi A5 3.0 TDI quattro S line
Pricing: £39,995
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel
Transmission: seven-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Body style: coupé
Rivals: BMW 335d Coupé, Mercedes-Benz E 350 CDI Coupé, Infiniti G37 Coupé
CO₂ emissions: 149g/km
Combined economy: 49.6mpg
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 5.8 seconds
Power: 242bhp at 4,000-4,500rpm
Torque: 368lb.ft at 1,400-3,250rpm

In the Metal:

Don't be fooled by the head and tail lamps here, as the A5's styling revisions go further than that. The bumpers front and rear have been reshaped, while inside Audi has made the dash a bit less busy and the controls more intuitive. All good then, but it's impossible to ignore the flashy LED lamp surrounds that frame the headlamps on this S line model. They're available optionally on other A5s, and we'd be surprised if any leave an Audi showroom without them. Otherwise it's all familiar A5, which means a nice coupé shape finished with some fine detailing inside and out.

Driving it:

We'll get it out of the way straight away: the A5 cannot match the dynamic excellence of BMW's 3 Series Coupé. However, it does have a lot to offer otherwise. Not least the new 3.0-litre TDI engine, which delivers a thumping 242bhp and the sort of effortless, any-gear pace that a decade ago was reserved for V12-engined, exotic GT cars. The engine's flexibility is incredible, and it's aided by a dual clutch automatic that's quick and near seamless in its shifting. The A5 3.0 TDI's standard quattro four-wheel drive transmission means all the engine's grunt is transferred to the road with minimal fuss, while the 5.8-second 0-62mph time is something that's repeatable almost regardless of the road conditions.

The steering might not have the delicacy or feel of some rivals but it's accurate enough and grip levels are high. The suspension sometimes struggles to isolate the worst bumps on the road, but overall the A5 3.0 TDI quattro gets down the road quickly with little fuss. Sure, it's not the most engaging car to drive, but it's impossible not to be impressed with the impunity with which it covers miles.

What you get for your Money:

The S line grade features those fancy headlamps, though for a slightly sharper drive you need to fork out £620 for Audi's sports differential. Do. Audi's Drive Select comes as standard, allowing you to choose between comfort, economical and more sporting settings.

Worth Noting

Opt for the most economical driving mode via Drive Select and avoid the temptation to use all the diesel's ample power and you'll get close to the A5's official combined economy of 49.6mpg. A 149g/km CO₂ figure should keep your company car tax sensible, too.

Summary

The Audi A5 has always been a talented all-rounder and the addition of this high output 3.0-litre TDI quattro model only underlines that. It's effortlessly fast yet surprisingly economical, and while it'll not deliver the same thrills as some rivals on the road it's an astonishingly capable machine. Makes you wonder why Audi offers it with any other engines, really.