Audi A5 Cabriolet Mild Hybrid 2.0 TFSI S tronic Advanced (A) Facelift Review

To some people, a Cabriolet is simply just a Coupe model with the roof lopped off. Which, in some ways, is not terribly far from the truth.

However, with a soft-top roof comes a distinctive change in character and delivers an entirely different kind of experience and appeal.

Now, the Audi A5 Cabriolet has been updated to continue to deliver its unique brand of open-top motoring. Should you be interested?

Head turner

The A5 model range has been slightly revised for 2020. Most notably, the car is now longer 24mm longer. While perhaps not quite as noticeable on the Coupe or Sportback models, on this Cabriolet model it is quite distinctive, especially with the roof down.

Thanks to a longer front overhang, a sharper nose with a wider Singleframe grille, a new sill running along the side of the car, as well as a redesigned rear diffuser with trapezoidal tailpipes, the A5 Cabriolet looks significantly better than before. It looks sleeker, lower-slung and more majestic.

The interior has been similarly updated along with the rest of the model range. You get the Virtual Cockpit plus with updated graphics, a 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen infotainment system, and a new cubby hole in place of the rotary controller.

It is expectedly sleek and premium Audi-fare - comfortable, practical to use and undeniably high-quality.

The soft-top folds into a movable tray atop the rear luggage compartment, so you still have 310 litres of space with the roof folded (370 litres with the roof closed). It's not very big, but functional enough for general use.

Hair blower

On the road, the A5 Cabriolet is delightfully easy to drive. It is a heavier car, so from a standstill you do need to give it slightly more gas. But once you get rolling, power is smooth and easy, and all in all it's a very relaxing drive.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre engine, with 188bhp and 320Nm of torque. The powertrain also has a mild-hybrid system that allows the engine to be completely shut off when coasting, which can mildly improve your fuel economy.

The steering is light, the suspension supple enough to soak up even the harshest bumps, and all-around visibility is good (especially so with the roof folded). Handling is competent, if unremarkable. The weight penalty from the roof mechanism can be felt, and there's not much in the way of steering feedback.

Also, overall refinement and noise insulation are good. With the roof up, it's just about as quiet and comfortable on the inside as a Coupe. Even with the roof down, under 75km/h wind noise isn't really that intrusive.

Heart tempter

To be fair, a cabriolet isn't everyone's cup of tea. Driving a cabriolet is all about embracing the fun of it all, and at the same time not really caring about what other people think. Its fundamentally different nature appeals to a certain joyous, carefree driver that leans into his or her heart's desires. 

The A5 Cabriolet has that same sense of self-assuredness. It's not particularly flashy or fancy, but it's a thoroughly capable and easy-going car that will make every open-top journey that much more enjoyable.