The A5 cabriolet has a fabric roof. Why, you’re no doubt wondering, did I feel the need to draw attention to this fact so early in my review?

It’s notable because there was a time when it looked like we were driving towards a world that would be dominated by folding roofs of the metal variety.

However, they might be more pleasing on the eyes and offer greater security but they also add a substantial amount of weight to cars that can ill afford it and compromised luggage capacity so no soft-top ever did.

That brings us back to the A5 which has always worn its traditional fabric roof – electrically operated of course – with pride.

It’s based on the A4 but with a slightly truncated engine choice so there are none of that model’s lower-powered diesel engines available. Instead there are three petrol-powered options with between 148 and 261bhp plus a 201bhp diesel.

Audi has added mild hybrid technology to cut emissions and improve performance while the most powerful petrol unit and the diesel get four wheel-drive. The other petrol-engined cars send power to the front wheels.

The A5’s main competition comes from its two German rivals, BMW and Mercedes, with the 4 Series Convertible and C-Class Cabriolet respectively.

How does the A5 measure up? Let’s find out.

Audi has a justified reputation for bolting together some of the finest interiors and the S5 continues that tradition with aplomb. Nappa leather upholstery, contrast stitching and Super Sports, logo-embossed seats are standard in the S5, providing a subtle but welcome upgrade over its less salubrious siblings.

There’s a consistency of tactile finesse throughout the cabin that other manufacturers, whether by design or default, struggle to match. It’s that unerring ability to hit the very highest mark time after time, to literally turn less into more, that makes climbing into every Audi such a universally pleasant experience.

Perhaps the biggest change to the function of the infotainment system – and not necessarily for the better – is the removal of the MMI rotary controller and shortcut buttons. The screen is now controlled using voice and touch which, as I think I may have mentioned in previous reviews, I always find a little less driver-friendly than physical controls.

Mounted on the dashboard is an 10.1-inch LCD display. I was disappointed to discover that it doesn’t retract into the dashboard and, as if often the case, I can’t help but think that, mounted as it is, it does rather look like a bit of an afterthought.

Audi’s excellent Virtual Cockpit, which replaces the traditional instruments with a 12.3-inch TFT display, comes as standard. By default two digital gauges dominate the screen, while sandwiched between them is other, driver-selected, information such as audio playback, car systems and navigation maps. What makes it particularly effective, however, is the option to minimise the dials. Simply press the View button on the steering wheel and those gauges shrink down to about a third of their original size, liberating a vast amount of space to display the sat nav maps in all their crisp, detailed glory.

The A5 is surprisingly practical for a cabriolet. Front-seat passengers, at least, will have little to complain about thanks to seats that slide a long way back and a decent amount of headroom.

Of course, sliding those front seats back does impact on what is already limited legroom in the rear where it is, just, possible to accommodate a couple of taller people but only if they’re happy to adopt a more relaxed position to stop their heads brushing against the roof.

Boot capacity is 370 litres – and even less with the roof down – but it is, at least a useful square shape.

Visibility is fine out of the front and to the sides and, while the rear three-quarter view is restricted when the canvas roof is up, you can at least fold the rear head restraints out of the way.

Front and rear parking sensors, plus a reversing camera, are included as standard – and very welcome they are too – but you’ll need the most expensive Vorsprung version to get a 360-degree camera system.

On the move and the A5 is a bit of a mixed bag. Certainly the front wheel-drive model reviewed here proved a more competent motorway cruiser than it did a cross-country mauler.

It handles well enough – though the rigidity lost through lopping the roof off is obvious along tight and twisty roads – and body-lean is well controlled but bumps in the road surface cause the steering wheel to squirm and hamper efforts to place the front wheels accurately, sapping driver confidence.

Adopt a more relaxed driving style and the A5 makes far more sense. The ride is forgiving without being floaty and generally does a good job of isolating occupants from the general aggravations that British roads have waiting for motorists.

Refinement is excellent. Engine noise is almost non-existent and even with the roof down you don’t have to resort to raised voices to have a chat with fellow passengers thanks to minimal buffeting. If you’re not carrying anyone in the rear you can fit the optional wind deflector which improves matters even more.

The only negative is the amount of road noise that permeates the cabin. It’s by no means a deal-breaker but it is shame that it’s not as well managed as other external noises.

The A5, then, isn’t a particularly exciting car to drive but, I wonder, does it need to be? The engines and quiet and flexible, it is well-equipped and offers a luxurious interior that provides excellent refinement roof up or down. All in all it offers an environment that lends itself towards a relaxed, stress-free cruise rather than a seat-of-the pants punt across the countryside. It wants you to take time to enjoy the experience and, I think, when viewed in that context, the A5 is a highly desirable travelling companion.

Audi A5 Cabriolet 40 TFSI 204PS Vorsprung s tronic

Price: £55,165

As tested: £57,095

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol

Transmission: 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic

Max power: 204PS

Max torque: 320Nm @ 1,450 - 4,475rpm

Max speed: 147.3mph

0-62mph: 7.5sec

Fuel consumption (WLTP): 38.7mpg (combined)

Emissions CO2 (WLTP): 165g/km

For more information visit www.audi.co.uk