All-new Audi A5: sleek Audi A4 replacement starts from £42k

• All-new executive saloon and estate
• Replaces the Audi A4 and A4 Avant
• Prices start from £41,950

This is the all-new Audi A5, and it has some big shoes to fill. The new model isn’t just replacing the outgoing A5 – it’s destined to replace the Audi A4 which, after 30 years on sale, will soon be discontinued and the name reserved for a future electric model. Like the A4, the new Audi A5 is available in saloon and ‘Avant’ estate bodystyles, and both are on sale now, costing from £41,950.

The outgoing Audi A5 was closely related to the A4, but it wore a sleek coupe body rather than a traditional three-box saloon shape. As the new A5 has been tasked with replacing both of those models, its five-door coupe bodystyle sits somewhere between the two. The new Audi A5 Avant takes on a traditional estate bodystyle in place of the outgoing A4 Avant.

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The move to rename the A4 as the A5 comes as part of a fresh naming strategy which will soon be deployed across the entire Audi lineup. From now on, all electric Audi models will be designated an even-numbered model name – like the Audi Q6 e-tron – whereas combustion-powered cars will wear an odd-numbered badge.

What do I need to know about the new Audi A5?

The new Audi A5 replaces the A4 saloon, but its sloping roofline and five-door hatchback body are more in keeping with the outgoing A5 Sportback, rather than a typical four-door saloon. Audi claims the coupe silhouette is the “perfect compromise” for its new model, offering a sportier look and better usability, although the boot has actually shrunk by 35 litres compared to the old A4 saloon.

Passengers, however, should benefit from more interior space, thanks to an extra 80mm of length between the front and rear wheels. The Audi A5’s overall length of 4,829mm is 67mm longer than before, placing it somewhere between the BMW 3 Series and 5 Series, and in similar territory to the Hyundai Ioniq 6. 

Despite sitting on a newly-developed platform called Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), the new Audi A5’s styling hasn’t deviated too far from the outgoing A4 – the hexagonal grille is still present, albeit slightly smaller, and the new LED headlights are similar in shape. Features such as OLED tail-lights, flush door handles and the sweeping roofline contribute to a more modern appearance, with elements drawing inspiration from the Q6 e-tron.

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Open the door, and the interior of the new A5 has taken a significant leap forward in terms of both technology and quality. All models are fitted with a curved instrument panel, containing a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 11.9-inch ‘Virtual Cockpit’ driver’s display. Like in the Q6 e-tron, buyers can tick the box for a head-up display and an additional 10.9-inch passenger’s display for the full NASA Mission Control experience. 

When we sat in the new A5, there was a noticeable step up in quality over the A4. A new fabric material – dubbed ‘Softwrap’ – stretches across the full width of the dashboard and onto the doors contributing to Audi’s “material driven design”, while there’s also a selection of sustainable and vegan upholstery options to choose from.

As with previous generations of Avant models, the new Audi A5 Avant gets the same exterior and interior design treatment as the regular car, bar the boxy rear end. Boot space stands at 476 litres with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,424 litres with them folded – both down on the old A4 Avant.

What engines are available for the new Audi A5?

The Audi A5’s new PPC platform has been designed to house a selection of petrol and diesel engines, with a plug-in hybrid to join the lineup for the first time, too. The range will kick off with a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 148bhp, while a 201bhp variant will cost slightly more. Both are only available with front-wheel drive.

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Diesel customers will be catered for by a 2.0-litre TDI engine with mild hybrid assistance. This engine will deliver 201bhp, although Audi claims that the hybrid can contribute an extra 24bhp in certain scenarios. Buyers can upgrade the diesel-powered A5 from front-wheel drive to Audi’s famous ‘Quattro’ four-wheel drive system for a £1,525 fee.

Top of the range sits the performance-focused Audi S5. Unlike Audi’s most recent ‘S’ models, the new S5 eschews its old diesel V6 for a new mild hybrid petrol unit. Specific figures are still under wraps, but its 362bhp should make for some lively performance.

In line with Audi’s new naming strategy, whereby even-numbered cars are electric and odd-numbered cars are combustion-powered, the new A5 won’t be offered as an EV.

How much does the new Audi A5 cost and when can I buy one?

The most basic Audi A5 Sportback costs from £41,950 before options. This gets you the 148bhp petrol-powered A5 in entry-level ‘Sport’ guise. The 201bhp petrol and diesel models cost from £44,290 and £46,950, respectively. The diesel A5 equipped with Quattro four-wheel drive ups this price tag to £48,475. Audi A5 Avant models cost roughly £2,000 more than the equivalent Sportback saloon.

Above Sport sits ‘S Line’ – this commands an additional £2,150 on top of the prices above. For the extra cash, you get larger 19-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and some exterior styling details unique to S Line models. Inside, you get a sportier steering wheel and a few other styling upgrades.

 Top-spec ‘Edition 1’ models command a further £5,000 on top of the S Line trim. These models come with even bigger 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, black exterior trim and matrix LED headlights. This model also gets the 10.9-inch passenger display fitted as standard. The sportier Audi S5 and S5 Avant are only available in this trim, costing £68,700 and £70,600 respectively.

All Audi A5 models are open for order in the UK now, with the first cars scheduled to be delivered in November. If the A5 is to follow Audi’s typical model strategy, we wouldn’t be surprised if a BMW M3-rivalling Audi RS 5 is revealed at a later date.

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