Audi A5 review – the A4 is gone, replaced by a sleek new BMW 3 Series rival

Verdict – is the Audi A5 a good car?

It’s all change at Audi, with the new A5 you see here replacing the A4 as the German brand’s key BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class rival. It’s a result of the splitting up of the range into electric and combustion-powered cars, and the next-generation A5 has more style and an even nicer interior than before. It feels very modern, then, but its petrol engines are somewhat rudimentary 2.0-litre turbos with so-so power and efficiency. The diesel gets upgraded mild-hybrid tech at least, but it’s the plug-in hybrids that are likely to be the pick of the bunch as soon as they arrive.

Audi A5 models, specs and alternatives

While some cars need no introduction, that’s not quite the case here. Audi is introducing a new naming structure, whereby all even-numbered vehicles are powered by electricity only, and odd-numbered cars will still get a petrol or diesel engine. So while the car you are looking at here is the replacement for the Audi A4, it’s actually badged as the Audi A5.

To make matters even more complex, the A4 saloon has now morphed into an A5 with a hatchback or Avant estate bodystyle. In the future, a new electric A4 executive car will also arrive, but it’s still a few years away.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s concentrate on the new Audi A5, which is up against rivals like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. Prices have increased sharply, with the 201bhp petrol in S Line trim now costing from around £46,000 – that’s roughly £4k more than previously, while a BMW 320i M Sport starts from just over £41k.

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Sitting beneath the A5’s aforementioned 2.0-litre petrol engine, there’s also a lower-powered 148bhp version of the same engine, or buyers can pick a 201bhp diesel engine. The latter is the only regular version offered with either front-wheel drive or quattro four-wheel drive for extra traction in slippery conditions. A high-performance S5 with 362bhp is also available to order, although it’s not especially engaging, despite the impressive grip and straight-line speed. Hopefully the even more potent RS5 plug-in hybrid will solve that when it’s added to the range later on.

Choose a 2.0-litre petrol and you can expect fuel economy of just over 40mpg, while the diesel can manage up to 58.9mpg but commands a £4,000 price premium. For this reason, the diesel is likely to remain a fairly niche choice for those with a higher-than-average annual mileage. You could also wait for the brace of plug-in hybrids that’s set to arrive in 2025, with an electric-only range of more than 60 miles.

Trim levels are Sport, S line and Edition 1, with a price increase of just over £2,000 to upgrade to S line and a bigger £5,000 step to get to Edition 1. Enhancements for the S line include bigger 19-inch alloy wheels and a sporty makeover inside and out. The flagship Edition 1 brings an additional 10.9-inch screen positioned ahead of the front passenger, so they can stream content on the move.

Audi A5 alternatives

As the direct replacement for the Audi A4, the new A5 pitches straight into the battle of the compact executive cars; a shrinking but still important corner of the market.

Compact executive cars

• BMW 3 Series
• Mercedes C-Class
• Genesis G80

Compact executive EVs

• BMW i4
• Hyundai Ioniq 6
• Polestar 2
• Tesla Model 3 

Should you buy an Audi A5?

The Audi A5 feels like a response to the falling interest in traditional saloons, instead turning the old A4 into a sleek, desirable new model more akin to the outgoing A5 Sportback. If you want to stick with a combustion engine, and don’t fancy the slightly less responsive handling of an SUV, there’s plenty about the A5 to like.

It certainly delivers on Audi’s goal to give it an attractive, expensive-feeling interior to go with its stylish looks. There’s the initial wow factor of its large dashboard displays of course, but look more closely and you’ll also find plenty of nice materials, comfortable and luxurious seats and lots of legroom.

While its petrol and diesel engine choices are solid picks, they arguably aren’t the standout feature of the A5, serving up decent economy and performance figures without breaking the mould. The same can be said about the driving experience, which is most notable for refinement and comfort rather than a sporty feel. For these reasons, we’d argue the plug-in hybrids are likely to be the pick of the bunch when they arrive, and that A5 owners will probably enjoy driving in engine-off mode (and the savings that brings) quite a bit.

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What is the best Audi A5 for low running costs?

While the diesel offers the lowest running costs right now, we’d seriously consider holding off until the PHEVs arrive if you’re looking for cheaper fuel and tax bills. It will certainly make the most sense for company car choosers thanks to its lower CO2 figure for cheaper Benefit-in-Kind payments.

What is the best Audi A5 for keen drivers?

That’ll be the Audi S5, which is by far the quickest version so far, thanks to its V6 petrol engine with 362bhp and quattro four-wheel drive.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the Audi A5 range?

For the majority of buyers, the petrol 201bhp Audi A5 in S line trim is likely to be the sweet spot of the range. It’s quick enough for most driving situations and S line offers a nice upgrade in kit and styling treatment for a relatively small outlay. Going on past Audi models, S line trim tends to boost residual values too.

How we tested the Audi A5

We tested the Audi A5 on UK roads in in December 2024.