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When Audi launched its first coupe in 1969, it sold just over 30,000 examples during a seven-year run. The 100 Coupe S was stylish and expensive, despite having only a 115bhp 1.9-litre petrol engine. The A5 made its debut in July 2007 in 3.0 TDI form, alongside the 4.2-litre V8 S5. In August a 3.2 FSI V6 petrol arrived, then a 2.7 TDI unit in September. At the same time the S5 Cabriolet got a 328bhp supercharged 3.0 V6 and a dual-clutch S tronic gearbox became available on the A5 2.0 TFSI. A facelift in autumn 2011 brought design tweaks and revisions for the cabin, engines, steering and suspension, the 2.7 TDI was dropped and the S5鈥檚 V8 was swapped for a supercharged 3.0 TFSI engine. Which one should I buy? The 3.0 TDI has four-wheel drive as standard, but these cars can be costly to run. The best all-rounder is the 2.0 TDI, which is economical, torquey and smooth. The 2.7 TDI offers a half-way house but is available only with the CVT auto gearbox.

At launch, the entry-level A5 came with 17-inch alloys, a space saver spare wheel, leather trim, 10-speaker hi-fi, xenon headlights, three-zone climate control, rear parking sensors plus electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors. The Sport added lower, stiffer suspension, more supportive seats and 18-inch wheels. The BMW 3 Series isn鈥檛 any roomier than the A5, but it鈥檚 better to drive. Build quality is superb and engine choices are wide-ranging; there鈥檚 also a choice of coupe or coupe-cabriolet bodystyles. The Mercedes E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet offer excellent build quality and some superb engines, with refinement and reliability. These German cars are costly to buy and run, especially if you purchase something with a high spec. If your budget won鈥檛 stretch to this there are a couple of more left-field choices; the Peugeot 407 and Renault Laguna Coupes don鈥檛 match the Audi鈥檚 cachet, cabin or quality, but they鈥檙e great value, unusual and worth a look.

Regulators for electric windows can break. It鈥檚 a DIY fix, with new ones 拢120 from Audi. Fuel filler flap mechanism can fail. There鈥檚 an override behind the boot trim to open the flap. Wheel bearings are a weak spot, especially the fronts, so listen for groaning when cornering. Make sure the door locks work properly because the mechanisms can fail; replacement is the only cure. Audi has long made some of the best cabins in the business, with strong build quality and excellent ergonomics; the A5鈥檚 is no exception. Its seats are supportive and comfortable, and in sporty S line form they鈥檙e even more figure-hugging. A split-folding rear seat boosts practicality; the boot can stow 455 litres, or 829 with the rear seats down. Most A5s have variable servicing, allowing up to two years or 19,000 miles between pit stops. However, a fixed-schedule regime is offered too, under which the car requires a service every 9,000 miles or 12 months. Service costs for four-cylinder models are pegged at 拢170 and 拢338 (minor and major); for V6 models these prices rise to 拢203 and 拢409.

All 2.0 TDI models have a cam belt, which costs 拢495 to replace, or 拢599 with a fresh water pump; this is due every five years. Brake fluid is needed after three years, then every two years (拢65), and the coolant topped up as needed. The A5 has been recalled five times. Three recalls between October 2014 and February 2017 covered brake servo problems, fuel leaks and airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners. Coolant pump overheating caused a May 2017 recall, then in January some A5s were recalled for air-con overheating. Some models were included in the VW diesel emissions scandal. Coming 35th in the 2017 Driver Power Used Car Survey is good for a decade-old car, with reliability and build quality the highlights, along with exterior fit and finish. Owners like the engines and transmissions, too. The A5 didn鈥檛 score too badly in any area, although the lowest score (60th) was for running costs.

At just 2,679 pounds, the Veloster base model is 403 pounds lighter than the Scion tC. Further, at just 2,877 pounds, Veloster Turbo is 125 pounds lighter than the Honda Civic Si Coupe and 95 pounds lighter than the Volkswagen GTI. This priority on weight efficiency allows the Veloster Turbo to deliver a great combination of agility, performance, and fuel efficiency. All Velosters feature a rearview camera fitted to all models for superior parking visibility. Velosters have an exceptional level of standard safety features for the sporty coupe segment highlighted by a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system, which optimally manages ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS). VSM works to control two effects. The first is when a driver accelerates or brakes on a split-mu surface (slippery on one side, dry pavement on the other) and the vehicle wants to pull in one direction. VSM detects this condition and sends a signal to the MDPS to apply steering assist to counter this force. VSM counters the pull and automatically provides counter steering.