Audi's interior looks neat, orderly and simple. Could it be a little bit more luxurious for its as-tested $40,000 price tag? Perhaps, especially around the doors, but overall I was focused on the stylish gauges, the sophisticated entertainment and navigation system, and the road, as a driver should be.

Those features also make up for the two small rear seats, which are nearly impossible to use.

One drawback, though, is getting in and out. The A5 is a step better than the Chevy Corvette in terms of having to fold your body to get in and out of it, but that's not much of a compliment. More extreme sports cars are easier to jump into than the A5, which might make this otherwise mainstream vehicle attractive to fewer buyers. My wife especially can't stand this attribute — she still remembers/loathes the Corvette Z06 and BMW 6 Series — even when she's not wearing high heels or a dress.