A5 vs G70
Two brands, one target. The A5 from Audi and the G70 from Genesis compete head to head for compact luxury car shoppers. The gap between the A5 and the G70 is narrow enough that price, looks or habit could reasonably tip it.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance G70 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range A5 wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance7.1
- Fuel Economy & Range4.6
- Engine & Performance8.7
- Fuel Economy & Range2.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The G70 has 32 hp more power
Small gaps can still matter over time, and here the G70 leads 300 hp to 268 hp. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
-
The A5 has better fuel economy
The difference is minor (26 mpg against 24 mpg), but if you’re splitting hairs, the A5 wins it. The A5 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
-
The G70 has 16 lb-ft more torque
The A5 comes close with 295 lb-ft; the G70 does slightly better with 311 lb-ft. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
-
The A5 has better highway fuel economy
Think of it as a tiebreaker rather than a deal-breaker: 31 mpg for the A5, 29 mpg for the G70. Highway fuel economy matters if you cover long distances at steady speeds.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | A5 | G70 |
|---|---|---|
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 72.8 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 55.1 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 111.6 in |
Engine & Performance
G70 leads
Here the G70 opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. In its favor, the G70 has 32 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. In short, the G70 is the better-equipped car for engine & performance.
Total system output
A5: 268 hp G70: 300 hp The G70’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Torque
A5: 295 lb-ft G70: 311 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Fuel Economy & Range
A5 leads
On fuel economy & range, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the A5. The A5 pulls ahead with better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. For fuel economy & range, the A5 is the one to beat.
Fuel economy (combined)
A5: 26 mpg G70: 24 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (highway)
A5: 31 mpg G70: 29 mpg The A5 uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to space & practicality. Bottom line for space & practicality: it’s a wash.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The off-road & towing specs are close enough that neither gets the point. So off-road & towing is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Safety & Tech
On safety & tech, the useful details are the names in the table: what each one uses, not a figure we can rank.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A5 | G70 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.5L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 268 hp | 300 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 311 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | RWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A5 | G70 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 26 mpg (winner) | 24 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 22 mpg | 21 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 mpg (winner) | 29 mpg |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A5 | G70 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 10.5 cu ft Smallest cargo area |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A5 | G70 |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A5 | G70 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | A5 | G70 |
|---|---|---|
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 72.8 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 55.1 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 111.6 in |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the A5 if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (26 mpg vs 24 mpg combined)
- you cover long highway distances (31 mpg vs 29 mpg on the highway)
- you prefer staying with Audi
Choose the G70 if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (300 hp vs 268 hp)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (311 lb-ft vs 295 lb-ft of torque)
- you’re loyal to Genesis and happy with it
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the A5 or the G70?
The A5 and the G70 split the comparison (fuel economy & range for the A5, engine & performance for the G70), so pick the strength you’ll use.
Executive Summary
If you’ve narrowed it down to the A5 and the G70, you’ve already done the hard part. Let me help with the rest. The A5 wins me over with better fuel economy. Don’t write off the G70 entirely: it has 32 hp more power.
The A5 is built for people who weigh fuel economy & range heavily, and the G70 for people who weigh engine & performance.
My pick: it depends. Go for the A5 if fuel economy & range comes first for you, or the G70 if engine & performance does.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.