Audi A5 Cabrio Tenerife Driving Review

Landing at Tenerife South airport, the island air hits you immediately. It is warm, carrying a faint scent of the ocean and dry volcanic earth. We wanted to see what it is actually like to explore this diverse rock in a premium convertible. The Audi A5 Cabrio is a popular choice for visitors who want comfort and open-air driving, but Tenerife is not just a flat coastal resort. It has high altitude peaks, incredibly dense ancient forests, and cliffside roads that test the nerves of even experienced drivers.

We spent several days driving this German cruiser across the island. We wanted to know if a relatively large, luxurious drop-top makes sense when the roads turn tight and vertical. From the fast sweeping bends of the southern motorways to the absolute crawl of northern village switchbacks, here is exactly how the car performed in the real world.

How it drives on Tenerife roads

Let us start with the TF-1 motorway. This road skirts the south coast and is characterised by long fast sweepers. Here, the A5 is completely in its element. With the roof down and the wind deflector up, the cabin remains remarkably calm. You can hold a normal conversation at 100-110 km/h without shouting. The suspension irons out the expansion joints, and the steering is smooth and predictable. It feels like a true grand tourer, effortlessly eating up the miles as you travel between the southern towns.

But Tenerife is defined by its volcano. Turning off the coast and heading up the TF-21 climbing to Mount Teide, the environment changes rapidly. You ascend to 2,100 metres above sea level. The air gets noticeably thinner, and the temperature drops sharply. We started the climb in t-shirts, but by the time we reached the caldera, the heated seats and neck-level heaters were absolutely necessary. The turbocharged engine handles the thin air well, providing enough torque to pull this heavy car up the steep gradients without feeling breathless. The gearbox shifts smoothly, keeping the revs in the sweet spot as you navigate the sweeping volcanic curves. The transition from coastal heat to crisp mountain air with the roof down is an incredible sensory experience.

Driving to the far north, we entered the Anaga forest roads. This area is often damp, twisty, and frequently misty. The A5 Cabrio feels heavy here. The steering, which felt so relaxed on the TF-1, lacks the sharp feedback you might want on slippery, leaf-covered tarmac. However, the sheer grip of the chassis provides confidence. You do not drive this car like a hot hatchback through the mist. You glide through the prehistoric laurel forests, enjoying the atmospheric sounds of the damp woods echoing into the open cabin.

Then there is the TF-436 into Masca. This road is famous for its extremely narrow cliff hairpins. To be completely honest, this is where the size of the A5 becomes a liability. Small cars have a massive advantage on the Masca descent. The A5 is wide, and its long wheelbase means you have to take the tightest hairpins at a crawl, sometimes needing to reverse slightly to let oncoming local buses pass. The parking sensors scream constantly as you squeeze past jagged rock faces on one side and a sheer drop on the other. It is manageable, but it requires serious concentration and removes some of the joy of the open roof.

Where this car shines (and where it does not)

The Audi A5 Cabrio shines as a coastal cruiser. If your itinerary involves gliding between upscale restaurants in the south, visiting the golf courses, or taking a leisurely drive up to the wider roads of the Teide national park, it is magnificent. The ride quality is superb, and the interior build quality means there are no rattles or squeaks, even when traversing rougher rural tarmac. It isolates you from the harshness of the road while still letting the sunshine in.

It does not shine in the traditional mountain pass attack. It is too heavy to be a sports car. The brakes, while strong, have a lot of mass to slow down on a steep descent from the volcano, and you will feel the weight transferring in tight corners. If you are looking for a nimble, darting experience to conquer the tightest corners of the island, you will find this car too large. It prefers a flowing driving style over aggressive cornering.

Practical notes

Taking a large convertible into the busy resort streets in Los Cristianos, Costa Adeje, and Playa de las Americas brings its own set of challenges. Tight parking is the norm here. You will spend a lot of time looking for spaces large enough to accommodate the doors, which are quite long and need space to open. When you do find street parking, pay close attention to the blue-line meters. You must buy a ticket from the machine, and the wardens are vigilant. Underground parking garages are common, but the ramps can be narrow, so you must watch the alloy wheels.

Fuel economy is reasonable considering the size of the vehicle. Climbing to 2,100 metres burns a lot of petrol, but you make some of it back on the long descents. Luggage space is the main compromise. With the roof up, the boot is decent. With the roof down, the storage box drops into the boot area, severely limiting what you can carry. Soft bags are highly recommended over hard suitcases if you plan to drive from the airport to your hotel with the top down.

This car suits couples or small families who prioritise comfort and the sensory experience of an open roof. If you are travelling as a pair, the four-seat 2.0-litre automatic Audi A5 Cabrio provides plenty of room, allowing you to use the rear seats for extra bags. Some rental fleets also classify a similar five-seat 2.0-litre automatic version, though the middle rear seat is only suitable for very short trips. Alternatively, the standard automatic variant offers the exact same mechanical refinement and premium feel for your island road trip.

Verdict

The Audi A5 Cabrio is a beautiful way to experience the microclimates of Tenerife. Driving through the warm coastal air, up into the crisp pine forests, and experiencing the dramatic temperature changes firsthand makes for a memorable trip. It demands respect on the narrow cliff roads of Masca and requires patience when parking in Costa Adeje. However, for those long drives down the TF-1 or the sweeping ascent to the volcano, it provides a level of relaxed luxury that is hard to beat. It turns a simple drive across the island into a genuine motoring event.

Where to book the Audi A5 Cabrio in Tenerife

If this one sounds like your kind of drive, you can check dates and prices for the Audi A5 Cabrio hire in Tenerife directly. Prefer to compare first? Browse all Audi rentals in Tenerife, convertible car hire in Tenerife, car hire in Tenerife.