Audi A5 Sportback vs Subaru BRZ
Verdict
The Audi A5 Sportback costs RM440,990 against the Subaru BRZ’s RM249,245, so the RM191,745 gap is huge. For that, the Audi gets 249 hp, 370 Nm, all-wheel drive, a dual-clutch auto, five seats and a 480-litre boot; it is the faster and more usable daily car. The Subaru counters with a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, 234 hp, a 5-year warranty and lower entry price. It is slower and far less practical, but much more focused.
Pick the Audi A5 Sportback if you want the quicker car with all-wheel drive, an automatic gearbox, five seats and a 480-litre boot.
Pick the Subaru BRZ if you want a manual, rear-wheel-drive coupe and can live with four seats and a 226-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Audi A5 Sportback RM440,990; Subaru BRZ RM249,245
- Output: Audi A5 Sportback 249 hp/370 Nm; Subaru BRZ 234 hp/250 Nm
- Drivetrain and gearbox: Audi A5 Sportback all-wheel drive dual-clutch auto; Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive manual
- Performance: Audi A5 Sportback 0-100 km/h in 5.6 s, 250 km/h; Subaru BRZ 6.3 s, 226 km/h
- Practicality: Audi A5 Sportback 5 seats and 480 L boot; Subaru BRZ 4 seats and 226 L boot
- Warranty and road tax: Audi A5 Sportback 2 years and RM372/year; Subaru BRZ 5 years and RM767/year
A5 Sportback
- Quicker 5.6-second 0-100 km/h time
- Stronger 370 Nm torque figure
- Five seats and 480-litre boot
- Costs RM191,745 more
- Shorter 2-year warranty
- Six airbags versus the Subaru’s seven
BRZ
- Manual gearbox with rear-wheel drive
- Much lower purchase price
- Longer 5-year warranty
- Only 250 Nm versus the Audi’s 370 Nm
- Smaller 226-litre boot
- Higher RM767 yearly road tax
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 440,990 | RM 249,245✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Coupe |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally-aspirated with Direct and Port Injection, Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 249 hp✓ | 234 hp |
| Torque | 370 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline | Boxer |
| Timing Type | Chain | Chain |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol |
| Bore | 82.5 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6 | 12.5 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 6 hp | — |
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S tronic | — |
| Gears | 7 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | BorgWarner | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.6 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.1 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 226 km/h |
| Co2 | 163 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,757 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,843 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,386 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,831 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,605 kg | 1,289 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 58 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 480 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/35R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/35R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbones |
| Front Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Multi-spoke Two-tone Alloy | 18" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Ventilated Disc | Ventilated Disc |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Passive Sports Suspension | — |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars — Equivalent to A4 | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side and Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side and Front Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for Two Rear Passenger Seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED Projector with Matrix High Beam and Sequential Indicators | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED with Sequential Indicators | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 12-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | — |
| Power Sockets | Front 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 12V, Rear 1x 12V | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | 10.1" Touchscreen MMI navigation plus with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 10-speaker, 180W Sound System | 8" Touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, 8 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | — |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 372✓ | RM 767 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
A5 Sportback vs BRZ FAQ
Is the Audi A5 Sportback or Subaru BRZ better?
The Audi A5 Sportback is better as an everyday car: it is quicker, has five seats, all-wheel drive and a much larger boot. The Subaru BRZ is the better choice if a manual rear-wheel-drive coupe is the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Audi A5 Sportback is RM191,745 more expensive than the Subaru BRZ, at RM440,990 versus RM249,245.
Which car is more practical for daily use?
The Audi A5 Sportback is far more practical, with five seats and a 480-litre boot. The Subaru BRZ has four seats and a 226-litre boot, so it asks for more compromise.