Audi Convertible Cars: Complete Buyer’s Guide

There are cars you drive, and then there are cars you experience. Audi convertibles have always belonged firmly in the second category. From the windswept elegance of the A5 Cabriolet to the roaring, tire-scorching thrill of the RS5, Audi’s open-top lineup earned a devoted following over more than four decades. But here’s the twist that shocked the automotive world: Audi confirmed that production of the A5 Coupe and A5 Cabriolet has ended, with no replacements planned, effectively meaning Audi is no longer making coupes and convertibles.

So what does that mean for you? Whether you’re hunting a certified pre-owned gem, trying to understand Audi’s convertible heritage, or comparing options in the luxury drop-top segment, this guide has everything you need. Buckle up, because the story of Audi convertible cars is one worth telling in full.

Wind in Your Hair, Four Rings on the Hood: Audi’s Convertible DNA

Audi didn’t stumble into the convertible market by accident. The brand built a reputation for blending precision engineering with understated elegance, and the open-top format was the perfect canvas for that philosophy. Before the A5 Cabriolet ever existed, the A4 Cabriolet carried the torch from 2001 to 2009, offering a graceful entry point into luxury open-top motoring.

When unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, the A5 marked Audi’s return to the compact executive coupé market, and production of the A5 and S5 Cabriolet began in early 2009, with the Cabriolet using a fabric roof rather than a retractable hardtop, which kept the car lighter and gave it a more classic convertible feel.

That fabric soft-top wasn’t just a cost-cutting measure. It was a deliberate design choice that reinforced the A5 Cabriolet’s identity as a true open-air machine rather than a mechanical transformer. And it worked beautifully.

Sculpted to Perfection: Design That Turns Heads (and Keeps Them Turned)

Open a photo of any Audi A5 Cabriolet and you’ll immediately understand why Walter de Silva, Audi’s then-design chief, called the A5 “his most beautiful design ever.” The proportions are simply right. The long hood flows into a short greenhouse, the shoulder line rises subtly toward the rear, and the absence of a B-pillar gives the open cabin a clean, uninterrupted elegance.

To make the A5 Cabriolet look sleeker, Audi used no visible safety arches above the waistline besides the A-pillars, with concealed rollover bars behind the rear seats that could deploy automatically in a crash. The soft top could fold away in just 15 seconds and close in 17 seconds while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h, so drivers never had to worry about a sudden change in the weather.

The second-generation model, launched for the 2017 model year, refined everything. Sharper LED lighting, a more aggressive Singleframe grille, and cleaner body lines made it feel contemporary without losing the warmth of its predecessor. Both generations wore their good looks with ease, whether the roof was up or stowed.

Inside the Cabin: Where Open-Air Meets Five-Star Luxury

Step inside an Audi A5 Cabriolet and the word “compromise” simply doesn’t apply. Audi’s interiors have long been benchmarks in the luxury segment, and the convertible variant was no exception.

The Audi A5 Cabriolet aimed to be many things simultaneously: a comfortable convertible, a four-seat GT car, and a practical enough daily driver for buyers trading in larger vehicles. Its cabin offered cutting-edge technology and the flawless build quality Audi had become known for.

The second-generation car brought Audi’s Virtual Cockpit as an option, replacing traditional gauges with a stunning 12.3-inch digital display. The MMI infotainment system, heated seats, a Bang and Olufsen sound system, and premium leather upholstery were all available, making every journey feel special whether the roof was up or down.

The centre console offered wireless charging and signal boosting via the Audi Phone Box, which used the car’s antenna to improve mobile phone connectivity, while the boot offered a useful 380 litres of space with the roof raised.

Rear seat space was adequate for two adults on shorter journeys, which put the A5 Cabriolet comfortably ahead of most two-seat roadsters in practical terms. This was a proper four-seater, not a compromise machine.

Hit the Accelerator: Performance That Rewards Every Drive

Push the throttle in an Audi A5 Cabriolet and you’re met with a composed, confident surge of power. Audi always matched the open-top experience with engines worthy of the occasion.

The A5 Cabriolet lineup featured strong, responsive, and fuel-efficient powertrains, an excellent quattro all-wheel-drive system, and a well-engineered soft-top arrangement that added to the car’s overall appeal.

The entry-level A5 Cabriolet used a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing around 187 hp in the first generation and 190 hp in the second, paired with a smooth seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox. But things got really interesting with the performance variants.

The S5 Cabriolet in its second generation featured a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 delivering 349 horsepower, sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The quattro system sent up to 60% of torque to the rear axle, giving the car a rear-wheel-drive character despite its all-wheel-drive setup.

That RWD-biased feel was a masterstroke. It made the S5 Cabriolet genuinely fun to hustle through corners, rewarding driver input without ever feeling nervous or unsafe. The RS5 Cabriolet, available in the first generation, pushed the envelope even further with a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 that produced 444 hp and an extraordinary exhaust note.

For a full rundown of how Audi’s convertibles stack up across model years and trim levels, the expert rankings and detailed specs available at US News Cars offer an excellent side-by-side comparison of every Audi convertible ever sold. You can explore the complete guide at the Audi convertibles comparison on US News Cars.

Fuel Efficiency: Enjoying Open Roads Without Draining Your Wallet

Audi managed to squeeze impressive economy figures out of its convertible lineup without sacrificing driving pleasure. The 2.0 TFSI engine in the A5 Cabriolet returned around 24 to 25 combined miles per gallon in real-world driving, which was competitive for a premium turbocharged four-cylinder.

The turbocharged four-cylinder A5 Cabriolet was available with either front-wheel drive or optional quattro all-wheel drive, giving buyers flexibility on fuel efficiency versus traction capability.

The later mild-hybrid technology introduced in the facelifted second-generation models helped further. Mild hybrid technology offered greater comfort while also reducing fuel consumption across the updated A5 Cabriolet lineup.

Diesel variants, sold in European markets, were even more economical, making the A5 Cabriolet an unusually sensible long-distance companion for a convertible.

Safety and Technology: Smart Enough to Protect You, Tech-Savvy Enough to Impress You

Convertibles have historically raised eyebrows when it comes to structural rigidity and safety, but Audi took those concerns seriously. The A5 Cabriolet’s bodyshell used additional reinforcement in the sills, doors, and floor to compensate for the missing roof structure.

When Audi removed the roof of the A5, additional steel was added to the car’s lower structure to maintain stiffness, and concealed rollover protection bars were positioned behind the rear seats to deploy automatically in a crash.

On the technology side, the second-generation A5 Cabriolet offered a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features. Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree parking camera system were all available. The 2013 refresh introduced Audi adaptive cruise control with side assist, warning lights in the mirrors for vehicles in the driver’s blind spot, and Audi Connect with Wi-Fi connectivity, the first factory Wi-Fi integration in this segment.

Trim Levels and What They Mean for Your Budget

The Audi A5 Cabriolet arrived in the US market with three main trim designations: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.

Premium covered the bases well, including leather seating, a power-folding soft-top, dual-zone climate control, and the MMI infotainment system with smartphone integration.

Premium Plus stepped up with the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, a power-operated sunshade, heated front seats, and upgraded audio.

Prestige topped the range with full leather upholstery, the Bang and Olufsen sound system, a head-up display, and massaging front seats.

The S5 Cabriolet used the same tier structure but added sport-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, a sport exhaust, and distinctly styled bodywork as standard. Pricing in later years ranged from around $55,000 for a base A5 Cabriolet to over $75,000 for a well-specced S5 Cabriolet.

Pre-owned examples are now readily available across all trim levels, often at significant discounts from original MSRPs, making this an excellent time to buy into the Audi convertible experience.

Pros and Cons: The Real Picture

Pros:

• Timeless, award-winning exterior design that ages gracefully
• Four genuine adult seats, unlike most convertibles
• Quattro all-wheel drive available across the range
• Exceptional interior quality and materials
• Quick, weatherproof soft-top operation (15 seconds)
• Strong V6 and V8 engine options in S5 and RS5 variants
• Advanced driver assistance technology for its era

Cons:

• Stiffer, heavier than the coupe version due to structural reinforcement
• Boot space significantly reduced with roof lowered
• Rear seat headroom is tight with the roof up
• Relatively expensive maintenance compared to rivals
• No longer in production, meaning no factory warranty on new units
• Resale values may soften as the model fades from the new car market

How It Stacks Up: Audi A5 Cabriolet vs. the Competition

The luxury convertible segment was always fiercely competitive, and the A5 Cabriolet earned its place at the top table.

vs. BMW 4 Series Convertible: The BMW offered a sharper, more driver-focused experience, but the Audi countered with a superior interior finish and a more refined ride. The A5 Cabriolet’s driving experience came close to matching the BMW 4 Series Convertible, but it offered more comfort and a cabin that felt nicer than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet, along with a better infotainment system.

If you’re weighing your options in the open-top luxury space, it’s also worth considering how BMW’s convertible lineup compares and what the latest models bring to the table.

vs. Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet: Mercedes offered a more boulevard-cruiser personality, softer and more comfort-oriented. The Audi split the difference beautifully, giving you the comfort without sacrificing composure in corners.

For a broader look at how Stuttgart’s convertibles measure up in terms of style, technology, and value, Mercedes convertible cars offer their own compelling arguments worth reading before you decide.

vs. Lexus IS Convertible: The Lexus served an older buyer demographic and couldn’t match Audi’s interior technology or performance credentials.

Who Should Buy an Audi Convertible?

The Audi A5 Cabriolet was and remains one of those rare cars that genuinely suits multiple buyer types.

For the luxury enthusiast: If you want premium materials, German engineering precision, and a car that makes a statement without shouting, the A5 Cabriolet is your car.

For the occasional performance seeker: The S5 Cabriolet with its turbocharged V6 and quattro grip gives you enough performance to make weekend drives genuinely exciting without the daily-driver aggression of a pure sports car.

For the practical open-top buyer: Four seats, a usable boot, and a quick power roof mean you can use this as a genuine everyday vehicle rather than a fair-weather toy.

For the budget-conscious luxury buyer: With production ended and the used market well-supplied, late-model A5 Cabriolets represent excellent value for the money in the certified pre-owned segment.

The Audi A5 Cabriolet is probably not for buyers who prioritize trunk space above all else, or those who want the most razor-sharp sports car dynamics available. But for everyone else, it’s difficult to find a more complete open-top package.

The End of an Era: What Audi’s Exit from Convertibles Means

Audi’s decision to step away from open-top motoring marks a genuine shift in the automotive landscape. The new A5 lineup, which replaced the A4, now consists only of a Sedan and an Avant wagon, with Audi hinting that the TT and R8 could return one day as electric vehicles, though without a specific timeline.

It’s a sobering reality driven by market economics. SUVs outsell coupes and convertibles by enormous margins, and even prestigious brands must follow the money. But the legacy Audi built through the A4 Cabriolet, A5 Cabriolet, S5 Cabriolet, and RS5 Cabriolet represents some of the finest open-top motoring the luxury segment has ever produced.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy an Audi Convertible?

If you can find a well-maintained, late-model Audi A5 or S5 Cabriolet, buy it. These cars represent the peak of Audi’s open-top engineering and design philosophy, and with production now finished, their numbers will only decrease over time.

The combination of quattro all-wheel drive, a genuinely beautiful interior, a quick and weatherproof soft-top, four usable seats, and strong turbocharged engine options make Audi convertibles hard to beat in the pre-owned luxury market. They age gracefully, they drive beautifully, and they carry a residual prestige that transcends their production status.

Open the roof, point toward the horizon, and remember why you fell in love with driving in the first place. That’s exactly what every Audi convertible was built to make you feel.