It’s a question he asks me all the time. What is the best car on the market?
Of course, there is no direct answer. It all depends on the type of vehicle you need. But if it is pressed today, I will say that for me there is one design above all others.
I’m talking about the hatchback sedan, a compact four-door with a coupe-like roofline and a large tailgate or hatch. This is the kind of car that the 2018 Audi A5 Sportback embodies.
Note that Audi and others in this category all reject the hatchback descriptor – apparently due to low market, utilitarian implications – in favor of the term sportback.
There are other competitors in the category, not least the Audi A7, which is similar in design to the A5 but is larger and more luxurious. Also worth noting are the 2018 Kia Stinger and 2018 Buick Regal GS Sportback, both of which mirror the Audi formula.
The Stinger is a stunning design that elevates the Korean brand well from the perceived bottom bargain category, to a serious conflict with its competitors, such as the A5.
The Stinger GT1 AWD comes with a 365-horsepower V6, all-wheel drive, and a long list of standard safety and convenience features. My test car was outfitted for $48,350, which isn’t cheap (less expensive, smaller versions of the Stinger engine are available). On the other hand, it can be said that it offers better value than the Audi A5. The recent A5 test car I tried was powered by a standard, 252-horsepower, $52,100 four-cylinder engine (which included $10,000 options).
Somewhere between the Audi A5 and the Kia Stinger lives the Buick Regal GS. It displays a more restrained design than the Kia, but is very clean and elegant in European style (which is convenient given that the Regal GS is made in Germany).
Starting at $39,990 and powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 that sends 310 horsepower to all four wheels, the Regal GS is the kind of sharp-looking, sporty sedan that helps Buick shed its old, messy image.
Despite the quality of the Kia and Buick competitors, they can’t compete with the sporty versions of the Audi A5, S5 and especially the RS 5. Admittedly, the S and RS versions are much more expensive – the 2019 RS 5 Sportback starts at $74,200. But the driving experience is very compelling and fulfills my premise of the perfect car – fast and elegant, with a dash of practicality.
During a recent drive of the RS 5 through the hill country of Bavarian Germany, Audi demonstrated the depth and breadth of its skill set. Performance from the 444-hp 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 is very fast – 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and mid-range acceleration to overtake slower vehicles. Or run a top speed of 170 mph on the highway.
The RS 5’s advanced suspension and all-wheel drive systems provide surprisingly comfortable ride quality in normal driving conditions, or can be pressed down for rides on the racetrack.
Sure, there are sports cars that are faster and more exotic than the Audi RS 5. But on US roads, it is impractical and dangerous for a driver’s license to explore its capabilities.
The RS 5 provides at least as much performance as the average American consumer can handle. In addition, Audi blends rugged and sporty design with a meticulously trimmed – and practical – interior for four adults and their luggage.
What more do you need?
John McCormick is a columnist for Autos Consumer and can be reached at [email protected]