The Audi A5 Cabriolet is the manifestation of a quarter of a century of experience building four-seat soft-top cars. Starting back in 1992 with the first Audi Cabriolet, the company has reached a stage now where the compromises traditionally experienced with removing the metal roof from a car – poorer handling, noisier roof-up refinement and significantly reduced practicality – have been all but eradicated.

A natural rival to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet and BMW 4 Series Convertible along with slightly more left-field options such as the Ford Mustang Convertible and the discontinued Range Rover Evoque Convertible, the A5 is an incredibly accomplished package.

With the roof up it’ll genuinely seat four in relative comfort, though it might be a squeeze for the longer-legged in the back, and there’s a usefully sized luggage compartment behind the folding rear seats to slot in a couple of suitcases.

What’s under the bonnet?

There are no surprises here, with a range of very capable turbocharged TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines coupled to a selection of slick and responsive manual and automatic gearboxes. There’s something to suit a wide range of tastes and preferences.

We’re particularly impressed with the 2.0-litre TDI and TFSI engines, which offer low running costs and punchy performance, and neither of them shatter the peace and quiet on a summer’s day when you lower the roof.

And if you want something a bit fruitier, the S5 Cabriolet is there to satisfy those looking for some extra performance and for something sweeter to listen to when the top’s down.

High-quality interior is a delight

If you’re going to be in full-view of the world with the roof down, the interior environment needs to be pretty special, and the A5 doesn’t disappoint, with a slick design and top-notch materials used throughout – it’s all lifted straight from the A4 range.

It’s pure Audi class and simplicity, but with an upmarket feel that its rivals struggle to match, and more than lives up to the handsome exterior styling with sharp lines and creases and bright LED lights all-round.

It’s even more practical than you might think. Rear-seat space isn’t huge, but a pair of adults will fit for most journeys, and you can pack a surprising amount in the boot when the roof is up.