New Audi A5 review

The new Audi A5 has one of the widest design briefs of any car currently on sale because it must fill the gap left by not one, but three Audi models.

Why? Well, the A5 is effectively a replacement for the A4 Saloon, the A5 Coupé and the A5 Sportback. In other words, it needs to be all things to many people, blending the style of the best coupés and the comfort of a five-door saloon, with the added practicality of a hatchback’s wide-opening tailgate. 

The changes come as part of a shake-up of the Audi model line-up. Models with odd numbers – like the A5 we're reviewing here – will have an engine, while even-numbered ones (the new Audi A6 for example) will be all-electric.

So the new A5 is the new A4, just with swoopier lines. It’s also longer, taller, and wider, stretching just over 4.8 metres.

What about the rivals? Well, the new Audi A5 is gunning for the BMW 3 Series and its swoopier Gran Coupé sibling, taking aim at the Mercedes C-Class and Mercedes CLA, and throwing a sly glance at stalwarts like the Skoda Superb and VW Passat. Does it hit the mark? Let’s find out...

At launch, the new Audi A5 comes armed with a quartet of engines to suit a broad range of drivers.

The starting point is the TFSI 150, a 2.0-litre petrol with 148bhp that takes 9.8 seconds to shuffle from 0-62mph. It’s adequate if unhurried.

A step up brings you to the TFSI 204, with 201bhp on tap and a much healthier 7.8-second sprint – a time that puts it neck and neck with the BMW 320i and BMW 420i Gran Coupé. It’s our pick of the range.

Prefer diesel? The TDI 204 matches the petrol for power but ups the ante with effortless mid-range shove for overtakes or a spirited country road blast. It’s quicker too: 0-62mph in a claimed 7.7 seconds – or 6.9 seconds if you opt for Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system, which introduces superb all-weather traction to the mix.

Then there’s the A5's performance variant, the S5 quattro. That's a different beast altogether, with a 362bhp 3.0-litre V6 engine under the bonnet.

The S5's engine is smooth and free-revving when you want it to be, but there’s no need to hammer it to make progress – a generous dollop of mid-range allows it to cover ground with effortless pace. The sound is spot-on too: punchy and characterful in Dynamic mode, yet pleasantly subdued in Comfort for long-distance wafting.

However, if you’re eyeing up your next company car you need to hold your horses: Audi will add two A5 plug-in hybrids in 2025. Expect them to offer up to 362bhp and an electric-only range of at least 60 miles – perfect for cutting emissions without sacrificing performance.

All A5s get a seven-speed automatic gearbox. If you go for S line trim or higher you get gear-shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The gearshifts are smooth and quick most of the time but you’ll need to switch into Dynamic mode to encourage it to change down a gear sooner and keep the engine response feeling more lively.

The A5 diesel and the S5 models get mild-hybrid tech, allowing brief stints on electric power – up to 30mph in our tests – while improving efficiency.

The A5’s suspension comes in three flavours: standard Comfort, a firmer sports set-up for S line trims, and adaptive suspension exclusive to the S5.

On the S line’s passive suspension, there’s the odd thump over sharper imperfections, especially on 20-inch wheels, but it’s generally composed. The adaptive dampers on the S5 are more impressive delivering greater control over a wider range of surfaces. 

So, how does the new A5 handle? In a word: competently. The steering is light but accurate and there is plenty of grip on offer.

While it doesn’t involve you in the driving experience like a BMW 3 Series or BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, the A5 will get you from A to B in a composed and confident manner. And let’s face it, that’s what most owners will want. No fuss. No drama.

This sensible character extends to the Audi S5. With more power and four-wheel drive to put that power down more effectively, even a well-driven sports car would struggle to keep up with you on an undulating B-road.

Is the S5 fun to drive? Not particularly. Where a BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé entertains with its rear-biased handling balance and feelsome steering, the S5 is more strait-laced.

What the A5 and S5 lack in outright entertainment they gain in refinement. The diesel engine whispers along at a cruise, and there’s barely a murmur of wind or road noise, even on larger wheels. Regenerative braking (on the diesel and S5 versions) is smoother than previous Audi efforts, recovering energy without corrupting brake feel.

“The Audi A5 feels at its best cruising along at motorway speeds where you can appreciate its controlled high-speed ride and lack of wind and road noise.” – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

Finding a comfortable driving position in the new Audi A5 is straightforward. The driver’s seat aligns neatly with the controls, and in high-spec Edition 1 and S5 versions, it offers electric adjustment along with ventilation and massage functions for added comfort.

The A5's steering column adjusts electrically, although it operates rather slowly. At its lowest setting, the steering wheel can obscure the top of the 11.9in digital driver’s display, which might frustrate some drivers. It’s best to try before you buy.

Speaking of which, the driver’s display itself is housed in a curved panel that blends into the 14.5in infotainment touchscreen, giving the impression of a single, continuous unit. Both screens feature OLED technology, delivering crisp, clear graphics that are easy on the eyes.

Unlike in some previous Audi car models, you can’t display the sat-nav map on the driver’s display. Unless you’ve opted for a head-up display, you’ll need to glance at the central touchscreen to follow navigation instructions. That said, the digital driver’s display offers plenty of other useful information and can be customised into three distinct sections.

Most functions are accessed through the infotainment screen. There’s a physical knob for volume control and buttons for selecting drive modes and activating the parking camera.

Unfortunately, temperature adjustments for the climate-control system rely on either the touchscreen or Audi’s voice-control system – a huge step back for usability. At least the temperature and heated seat icons are always visible for quick access.

There are two columns of digital shortcut keys near the driver for frequently used functions but they’re quite small and fiddly to operate on the move. Navigating the infotainment system itself can take some getting used to because its home screen displays a lot of icons that require scrolling. On the plus side, the screen responds quickly and the animations are smooth.

In Edition 1 models, there’s an additional 10.9in touchscreen for the front passenger, with a column of shortcut keys for quick access to settings.

Visibility from the A5's driver’s seat is good overall. The chunky front pillars are easy to see around and the large side windows offer a clear view over your shoulder. Rear visibility is slightly compromised by the rear headrests, but standard front and rear parking sensors, as well as a reversing camera, make manoeuvring easier.

Edition 1 adds 360-degree cameras and adaptive matrix LED headlights that automatically adjust to avoid dazzling other drivers.

For those seeking extra tech, the A5's optional Sound and Vision Pack (standard on the S5) adds a head-up display – capable of showing navigation directions – and a crisp-sounding 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The S5’s sports seats include built-in speakers in the headrests, which deliver navigation prompts without interrupting music playback.

The A5’s interior looks the part, with its sleek, modern design, but dig a little deeper and you’ll notice some corners have been cut compared to its predecessor. The silver plastic trim around the centre air vent feels more budget than premium, while the glossy piano-black finish on the centre console is a magnet for fingerprints and scratches.

Then there are the haptic buttons on the steering wheel. They look futuristic but lack the satisfying click and precision of proper physical buttons and are too easy to hit accidentally while you're driving.

That said, the fabric accents on the dashboard feel genuinely upmarket, and the ambient lighting is a real showstopper, especially in Edition 1 and S5 cars. We’re particularly taken with the clever visual cues – the turn indicators trigger a sweeping green light across the dashboard, which is much cooler than amber door mirror indicators.

“I do wonder how many passengers will actually use the optional second touchscreen but I like the fact that it's polarised so the driver can't see what's on it. I found that helpful to reduce distraction.” – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

Getting in and out of the latest Audi A5 is straightforward, thanks to wide door openings and low sills. Once inside, there’s plenty of head, leg, and elbow room up front, so most people will find it easy to get comfortable.

Interior storage is well thought out. There’s a shallow but wide tray under the adjustable armrest, two cupholders beside the gear selector, and a dedicated tray for your phone, with a cooled wireless charging pad to prevent your device from melting. The door bins can hold a water bottle, but the narrow access makes them less convenient.

Rear-seat space has improved compared with the A4. Two six-footers can now sit comfortably behind equally tall passengers, with slightly more knee room than before. That said, head room remains tight for taller occupants, particularly compared with the Skoda Superb and VW Passat.

Storage in the rear includes door bins big enough for a bottle, seat-back pockets, and two cupholders in the central armrest. 

Dropping the rear seats in the Audi A5 requires a reach into the interior from the back doors – there’s no handy lever in the boot like you’d find in the estate version (the Audi A5 Avant).

Still, the seats fold almost flat and split 40/20/40, letting you haul longer items without having to sacrifice all your passenger space. Rivals such as the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and Mercedes CLA offer the same versatile set-up, but it’s a practical feature nonetheless.

The A5 takes a step back in terms of boot space. At 445 litres – or 417 litres in four-wheel-drive models – it’s smaller than the outgoing A4’s 460 litres. 

It falls short of the competition too. The BMW 3 Series gives you 500 litres, the 4 Series Gran Coupé 470 litres, and the Mercedes C-Class 480 litres. That’s not to mention the VW Passat, with its cavernous 645-litre boot. 

There is, though, more to the A5’s boot than raw numbers. The switch to a hatchback design makes the space far easier to access, especially for bulkier or awkwardly shaped items. The load area is long and wide – ideal for flat-packing your life into submission – and the load lip is relatively small. 

And for those who value convenience, every A5 comes equipped with a powered tailgate and a motorised parcel shelf, adding a touch of luxury to your Waitrose run.

To read about the estate car version see our Audi A5 Avant review.

“The Audi A5 has plenty of leg room, but I'm 5ft 11in and I found my hair brushing the roof.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Despite being a premium brand, Audi knows how to price cars competitively – and the new A5 is no exception. It costs fractionally more than an entry-level BMW 3 Series but undercuts the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and Mercedes C-Class. 

For company car drivers seeking lower BIK tax rates, we reckon it’s worth holding out for the A5 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, expected in 2025. These promise a 62-mile electric-only range – identical to the range of the BMW 330e. That said, the Mercedes C300e officially manages 70 miles, while the Skoda Superb and VW Passat PHEVs go even further and cost less to buy.

When it comes to fuel economy, the Audi A5 TFSI 204 is slightly more efficient than the equivalent BMW 320i, although it trails the Mercedes C200. Meanwhile, the TDI diesel is slightly less economical than a Mercedes C220d. Diesels are not available in the current BMW or Passat line-ups.

At launch, the new Audi A5 is available in three trims – Sport, S line and Edition 1 – while the performance-oriented S5 saloon comes in its own bespoke specification.

Sport comes with 18in alloy wheels, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, three-zone climate control, wireless phone-charging, and leather upholstery. It’s our pick of the line-up.

S line adds 19in alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, sportier exterior styling, a sport steering wheel design, and S badging.

Edition 1 (and the S5) get 20in alloy wheels, red brake calipers, keyless entry, and part-suede and leather upholstery.

Reliability is tricky to predict for a car as new as the A5, but Audi didn’t perform well in the 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey. It ranked 24th out of 31 manufacturers, finishing behind BMW (eighth), Skoda (13th), VW (18th), and Mercedes (22nd).

Audi offers a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty as standard. While that’s in line with Mercedes, it’s less generous than BMW’s unlimited mileage cover. You can extend the Audi warranty to five years or 90,000 miles for an additional cost.

The new A5 was awarded a five-star rating after it was tested for safety by Euro NCAP. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition and hill-hold assist. Edition 1 trim adds lane-change assist.

“The Audi S5 comes with striking OLED rear lights that can project customisable light signatures. I think it’s a nice touch on a car at this price point.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

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