2012 Audi A5

Since the A5 shares its running gear with the A4, you shouldn't be surprised that it uses the same engines -- a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder hooked to Quattro all-wheel drive and a choice of a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission. That concludes the simple part -- from here on out you need to pay close attention. You can also get a front-wheel-drive A5 with a CVT-equipped four-cylinder, but only in convertible form. If you're looking for something with more power, it really starts to get complicated: the S5 convertible shares the S4's 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. But if you want an S5 coupe (rather than a convertible), you get a normally aspirated 4.2-liter V-8 with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. We're confused, too. The convertible bucks the folding-hard-top trend and uses a multilayer fabric roof. It's better-looking than its competitors, and the soft top takes up less trunk space. Both the coupe and the convertible offer seating for four actual life-size human beings, and, like all Audis, the A5 has a beautifully finished interior with lots of luxurious amenities.