A4 Avant vs A5 Sportback

Bratty · 24-09-2009,03:34 PM

I had alook round a couple of A5 sportbacks today and I could not see what all the fuss is about? It has really bad headroom in the back, its boot is not as practical as an Avant and it just looks odd (too long)! It is neither a sports coupe or a load lugger, is it just a design exercise by Audi. I suppose if you are divorced and have the kids for the weekend it is easier to let them be sick at the side of the road apart from that my vote goes to A4 Avant S-Line. (Not as wierd looking as the Porsche panamerica I also took a look at today though!!! YUK)

Dunk

**mkc** · 24-09-2009,03:45 PM

Same goes for the Passat CC........doesnt help with the 2+2 config either

**Plife** · 24-09-2009,03:45 PM

It's all down to personal taste. I like the look of the sportback from the pictures I have seen, haven't seen one in the flesh so don't know if that would change my opinion. I can see the advantages for someone that doesn't want an estate, but needs more boot room that the A4 saloon. I struggle to get all I need in the boot for 2 kids!!

My screaming at why would you buy that is currently firmly aimed at the BMW X6!!

Bratty · 24-09-2009,03:50 PM

I must admit I had convinced myself it was nice from the pictures, but when you get the sportback up against a normal A5 its lines just do not gel.
But as you say personal choice.

Dunk

**ScottyUK** · 24-09-2009,04:19 PM

Are A5 Sportbacks at the dealers already?

I didn't think they'd started manufacture!

**avant_adam** · 24-09-2009,04:19 PM

I thought it looked good in the pictures but not good enough to justify the hefty premium for what is essential a hatchback saloon.

Its not so many years ago that hatchbacks were the mainstay of Vauxhall and Fords business with the Cavalier / Vectra and the Sierra / Mondeo. It is risible that they market it as a "four door coupe" that is a lifestyle choice i.e. premium pricetag. Ditto the Passat CC.

I did have a soft spot for the Merc CLS (the four door E-class coupe thing) but think it looks a bit old hat now.

I'm sure that the A5 sportback (or whatever its called) will make Audi a stack of cash from what must have been a pretty simple engineering job relative to the usual expense of developing a new model. Good luck to them.