The Audi A5 does 26.0 mpg combined (22.7 city, 31.6 highway), which works out to about $1,477 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 28.8 mpg while 3.2L 6-cyl does 20.7 — a difference of $522 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Audi A5 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 25.4 / 34.4 | 2021–2025 | $1,333 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 22.8 / 31.6 | 2010–2026 | $1,471 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 17.7 / 26.7 | 2008–2010 | $1,855 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.123 |
| Fuel per year | $1,477 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,385 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$35 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,893 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 22.7 mpg | $1,692 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.6 mpg | $1,215 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.9 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the A5 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2025 | 24 / 33.5 | 2 | $1,396 | |
| 2024 | 26 / 35 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2023 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2022 | 26 / 34 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2021 | 25 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2020 | 24 / 32 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2019 | 23 / 34 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2018 | 24 / 34 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2017 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2016 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2015 | 22 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2014 | 23 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2013 | 24 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2012 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2011 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2010 | 20.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,634 | |
| 2009 | 17 / 26 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2008 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Audi A5 get?
26.0 mpg combined on average — 22.7 in the city and 31.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2008–2026.
How much does a Audi A5 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,477 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,385 over five years, or 0.123 dollars a mile.
Which A5 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 28.8 mpg, against 20.7 for the 3.2L 6-cyl — a difference of about $522 a year.
Is the A5 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.