Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Audi A5

The Mustang has a standard blind spot warning system that 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’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mustang 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.

The Mustang’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mustang and the A5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 10 times as many Ford dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The A5 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks ford above average in initial quality. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The Mustang’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 49 more horsepower (310 vs. 261) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Mustang’s optional 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 69 more horsepower (330 vs. 261) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Mustang GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 189 more horsepower (450 vs. 261) and 137 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Mustang Mach 1’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 209 more horsepower (470 vs. 261) and 137 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The A5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A5.

For better stopping power the Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A5:

The Mustang’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the A5 are solid, not vented.

The Mustang stops much shorter than the A5:

For better traction, the Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A5 (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. 255/35R19).

The Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional 35 series tires.

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

The Mustang offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 3.4 inches wider in the rear than on the A5.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.06 G’s, while the A5 Prestige Coupe pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Mustang GT Fastback executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the A5 Prestige Coupe (23.6 seconds @ .86 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the A5’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The A5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Mustang Fastback has .2 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the A5 Coupe.

The Mustang Convertible has 3.8 inches more front legroom and 1 inch more front shoulder room than the A5 Cabriolet.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the A5 Coupe (13.5 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the A5 Cabriolet with its top down (11.4 vs. 7.2 cubic feet). The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk than the A5 Cabriolet with its top up (11.4 vs. 9.3 cubic feet).

The Mustang (except Mach 1) has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The A5 has no towing capacity.

The Mustang Auto 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 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The A5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The A5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

On a hot day the Mustang’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the A5 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

The Mustang will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Mustang will retain 47.24% to 58.69% of its original price after five years, while the A5 only retains 44.13% to 46.66%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Mustang is less expensive to operate than the A5 because it costs $373 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Mustang than the A5, including $474 less for a water pump, $15 less for front brake pads, $522 less for a starter, $151 less for fuel injection, $301 less for a fuel pump and $305 less for front struts.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Mustang will be $6953 to $20220 less than for the Audi A5.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The A5 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.