Audi A5 vs Subaru BRZ
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Aug 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$79,900RRP
- with the Subaru BRZ's standard kit: $79,900 (nothing to add)
$49,190RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Audi A5 & Subaru BRZ
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Audi A5 starts from $79,900 before on-road costs, while the Subaru BRZ opens at $49,190. That makes the Subaru BRZ the more affordable entry point by $30,710.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $87,890 and $54,109 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Audi A5 by roughly $3,705 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Audi A5
- REC-005841 · published 30 Nov 2023Due to a manufacturing defect, the outer backrest frame of the front seats may have been incorrectly welded.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-001665 · published 3 Sep 2021Some nuts fitted to the rear axle assembly did not meet manufacturing specifications and may break.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2021
- REC-001650 · published 23 Jul 2021The seatbelt warning (acoustic warning tone and visual display) may occasionally operate rather than continuously, in circumstances such as a seatbelt not fastened or unfastened while the vehicle is moving.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2021
- 10 more on the model page.
Subaru BRZ
- REC-005776 · published 13 Sep 2023Due to a potential design concern with the rear tail lights control circuit, the turn and hazard indicators lamps may not illuminate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2021 - 2022
- REC-001697 · published 24 Aug 2021The fuel pump impeller may not meet manufacturing specifications, as a result it may become deformed.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2019
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Audi A5 features a 14.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 11.9-inch digital dash, while the Subaru BRZ gets a 8-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi A5 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Bang & Olufsen audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru BRZ. The Subaru BRZ counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi A5 gets leather upholstery while the Subaru BRZ offers ultrasuede and leather accented. Climate control is 3-zone in the Audi A5 and 2-zone in the Subaru BRZ.
Drivetrain
The Audi A5 uses a 4-cylinder petrol with direct fuel injection, turbocharging producing 150kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a 7-speed s tronic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.8 seconds.
The Subaru BRZ responds with a Petrol making 174kW and 250Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds.
The Subaru BRZ has the clear power advantage at 174kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Subaru BRZ is 1.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi A5 measures 4,829mm long on a 2,892mm wheelbase, 564mm longer than the Subaru BRZ at 4,265mm (2,575mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi A5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 445L in the Audi A5 and 201L in the Subaru BRZ, giving the Audi A5 a 244L advantage. The Audi A5 seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.4m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,967/year for the Audi A5 and $2,708/year for the Subaru BRZ. That is a $741 annual difference in favour of the Audi A5.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Audi A5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Subaru BRZ). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi A5 if: You need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Subaru BRZ if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Subaru's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Audi A5: Top CarSorted Score, 73 vs 62, but the Subaru BRZ is $30,710 cheaper
The Audi A5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (73 vs 62), taking 3 of 6 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: practicality (Audi A5 ahead by 28), safety (Audi A5 ahead by 25), fuel economy (Audi A5 ahead by 24). The Audi A5 will save you roughly $741 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Audi A5 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi A5 and Subaru BRZ?
The Subaru BRZ is the cheapest at $49,190 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi A5 by $30,710.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi A5 uses the least fuel at 6.9L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi A5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Subaru BRZ, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Audi A5 has the largest boot at 445L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi A5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Subaru BRZ makes the most power at 174kW. The Subaru BRZ is quickest to 100km/h in 6.3s.
Stay across the market
Get our weekly new-car rundown of launches, price moves, deals and reviews, straight from the data.
- Weekly new-car rundown
- Price cuts and new deals
- New launches and reviews
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
