Compare the2022 Volkswagen ArteonVS 2022 Audi A5 Sportback

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Arteon has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Arteon has a standard blind spot warning system, which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A5 Sportback’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Arteon has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the A5 Sportback.

Both the Arteon and the A5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Arteon for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A5 Sportback.

There are over 2 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Arteon’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen 30th in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

The Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 99 more horsepower (300 vs. 201) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 236) than the A5 Sportback 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 39 more horsepower (300 vs. 261) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the A5 Sportback 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Arteon has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the A5 Sportback (17.4 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Arteon’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A5 Sportback:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Arteon offers optional 20-inch wheels. The A5 Sportback’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Arteon has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the A5 Sportback; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Arteon a Large car, while the A5 Sportback is rated a Mid-size.

The Arteon has 5.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A5 Sportback (96.5 vs. 91).

The Arteon has .2 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room, .1 inches more rear headroom, 5.1 inches more rear legroom and .2 inches more rear shoulder room than the A5 Sportback.

The Arteon has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the A5 Sportback with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 21.8 cubic feet). The Arteon has a much larger trunk with its rear seat folded than the A5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (56.2 vs. 35 cubic feet).

The Arteon has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The A5 Sportback has no towing capacity.

The Arteon SEL/SEL Premium has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Arteon SEL/SEL Premium has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Arteon SEL/SEL Premium also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Arteon SEL Premium has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the A5 Sportback.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Arteon has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the A5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The Arteon is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A5 Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Arteon owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Arteon will cost $3035 to $6055 less than the A5 Sportback over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Volkswagen Arteon will be $5805 to $7548 less than for the Audi A5 Sportback.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Volkswagen Arteon, based on reliability, safety and performance.