Audi A5 Avant review – a familiar practical Audi estate car with a new name

Verdict – is the Audi A5 Avant a good car?

Charged with replacing the hugely popular Audi A4 Avant, the A5 Avant picks up where its predecessor left off. That means you get all of the Audi quality and style that you’d expect, coupled to a spacious estate car. It provides plenty of room for families, business users, or both as this type of car usually has to sing for its supper through the week and fetch the shopping at the weekend. No plug-in hybrid at launch will make it pricier for business users and top spec models are expensive, but the Audi A5 Avant does deliver on its premium promise.

Audi A5 Avant models, specs and alternatives

Audi has returned to a pleasingly simple naming policy with the A5 Avant over its immediate A4 predecessor. Gone are the confusing numbers that bore no obvious relation to what was under the bonnet, and in their place we have trim, fuel type, power and whether it’s two or four-wheel drive. It’s the vehicular equivalent of name, rank and serial number.

The outcome of this is that you can pick from 2.0-litre turbo petrol or diesel engines, with the petrol offered in 148bhp or 201bhp forms. The diesel is only offered with 201bhp and front-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive. If the car has the latter, then it’s mentioned in the name, and you can only have the four-wheel drive system with the diesel. Oh, and all come with Audi’s S tronic seven-speed automatic gearbox.

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Above all this sits the S5 with a 362bhp 3.0-litre V6. It has a top speed restricted to 155mph, while 0-52mph comes up in 4.5 seconds, helped along by quattro four-wheel drive as standard.

Those are the engines, so what about the trims? Again, it’s all very easy with a choice of entry-level Sport, followed by S line for something a bit racier to look at, and the range is topped off with the Edition 1. Every A5 Avant comes with adaptive cruise control, park assist, rear-view camera, heated front seats, climate control, 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, and Audi’s 11.9-inch virtual cockpit dash.

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Change up to the S Line and you gain larger 19-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension that’s 20mm lower than the standard setup, unique S line exterior styling and front seats with ‘S’ embossed logo. There’s also a flat-bottomed steering wheel. Head all the way to the Edition 1 version and Audi adds a black styling package, top-view camera for parking, 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger, 20-inch wheels, and red brake calipers. This A5 Avant further gains Dinamica microfibre and leather upholstery and front sports seats with electric adjustment and memory for the driver. The S5 is only offered in Edition 1 spec.

It all sounds very tempting, but bear in mind you can have a basic BMW 3 Series Touring for less than the equivalent Audi. You can also opt for the BMW with a plug-in hybrid power option, which you can also have with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate but not with the Audi A5 Avant until later in 2025. That’s an important consideration for tax-conscious company car drivers.

Compounding that are the higher prices Audi charges for its top level versions of the A5 Avant compared to its two key rivals from Germany. And that’s not to mention the cost advantage a Skoda Superb Estate or Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake has.

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Every Audi A5 Avant comes with some hybrid help to aid economy and emissions, but those seeking an alternative to the BMW 330e Touring or Mercedes C300 e will have to wait. In the meantime, the most frugal A5 Avant is the 2.0 TDI turbodiesel model with 201bhp and front wheel drive. Like all A5 Avants, it uses a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox and this model delivers 57.6mpg with CO2 emissions of 129g/km. That’s decent efficiency for private buyers more concerned with driving longer distances without stopping too often to charge up as they would in an electric car.

Should you want the added sure-footed security of four-wheel drive, Audi only offers the quattro option with the diesel motor. The added weight of the all-wheel drive set-up reduces fuel economy to 54.3mpg and ups emissions to 135g/km, so neither are huge penalties to pay if you need this extra traction for your driving needs.

Both of the petrol engines, in 150 and 204 trims, give a combined fuel consumption best of 41.5mpg and emissions rated at 155g/km. Again, company car drivers are likely to read those numbers and sit on their hands till the plug-in hybrid A5 Avants come on stream.

How much will the Audi A5 Avant cost in tax?

As of 1 April 2025, Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), or road tax to you and me, has been revised. The upshot of this is the most efficient Audi A5 Avant diesel with carbon dioxide emissions of 129g/km will pay a first-year road tax levy of £440. However, before you think that’s not too bad, remember you will also have to pay the £425 additional charge for cars that cost more than £40,000 when new. That supplementary charge will apply till the car passes its fifth birthday, and it will apply to all Audi A5 Avant models.

Anyone picking the diesel engine with quattro four-wheel drive will pay an extra £100 for the first year’s VED, so you pay £540, before it drops back to the £195 standard rate. Both petrol models of the Audi, however, will see you stump up a rather more eye-popping £1360 for that first 12 months of road tax.

What will the Audi A5 Avant cost to insure?

A premium make and stylish estate car with sporty looks is going to add up to some expensive insurance premiums – or so you’d think. Thanks to its long list of standard safety and security kit, the Audi A5 Avant range begins in group 24 for cover if you stick with the less powerful petrol engine in Sport or S line spec. Up that to Edition 1 and this model resides in group 27.

The 204 petrol engine starts out in group 30 for the lower two trims, with the Edition 1 jumping three groups to 33.

Go diesel and the 2.0 TDI 204 begins in group 32, with the quattro in group 32, for Sport and S line models. The Edition 1 is bumped up, you guessed it, by three groups just as with the petrol versions.

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Previously, the Audi A5 was seen as the slightly more sporty sister of the A4, but now the A5 Avant has to appeal to both camps it treads a fine line between the two. It’s a little more lithe and agile than the last A4 while bringing a higher degree of refinement to the overall drive. This applies to whichever engine you choose in the A5 Avant.

Where you will pick up some distinct differences is with the varying trims. Choose the Sport or S line on their smaller wheel sizes – 18 or 19 inches – and the A5 Avant is smooth and composed on almost every type of road surface. It’s similar to the A6, with which the A5 shares a lot of its fundamental parts, so you can head down country lanes, city streets and the motorway without having to spy every rut or pothole to avoid sending thuds through the suspension.

The Edition 1 comes on 20-inch wheels and has a slightly firmer edge to how it copes with uneven roads. However, it’s still very smooth and is a positive step up from the previous A4 Avant. There is a caveat, though, because regardless of which A5 Avant you choose, it’s not the best-handling car in this class. That accolade still belongs to the BMW 3 Series Touring.

Most drivers, we reckon, will want a hushed cabin over a rushed commute, and here the Audi is right up there with its arch rivals from BMW and Mercedes. There’s little wind or road noise at any speed, including up to motorway pace, and even the Edition 1’s larger wheels kick up very little rumble.

Petrol models

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The Audi A5 Avant comes with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that is offered in two power outputs that Audi calls 150 and 204. These numbers refer to the European power ratings, which equate to 148 and 201bhp, respectively. While the 150 model is not what you’d call a slouch, it is at the more leisurely end of the spectrum for this class of car. It needs 9.8 seconds to work its way from a standing start to 62mph, though it does feel stronger once on the move to mix with the flow of traffic.

Our pick, however, is definitely the 2.0 TFSI 204 as the greater power output comes with better flexibility and acceleration. It can snip off 0-62mph two seconds quicker than the 150 model, which might not sound like much but you certainly feel it on the road when overtaking or pulling out at a busy junction.

Neither petrol engine is sporty to the ear, but they are also both pleasantly quiet when cruising along on the motorway or going about their business in town.

Diesel models

Aside from the better fuel economy and lower emissions of the diesel engine in the Audi A5 Avant, another reason to choose this motor over the petrol is its stronger performance. On paper, the 201bhp 2.0-litre diesel delivers 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds in front-wheel drive form. That makes it a mere 0.1 second quicker than the identically-powerful 2.0-litre turbo petrol, but it feels like it’s more urgent at lower speeds while still being impressively smooth and quiet as it works through the seven gears of the DSG automatic transmission.

Better still is the quattro model. Yes, there’s a small penalty to pay in economy and emissions, but the stronger acceleration of 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and brisker all-round performance with no drop-off in refinement is a winning combo in our book.

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Is the Audi A5 Avant’s infotainment and sat-nav system easy to use?

Compared to most other infotainment systems, the Audi A5 Avant’s is easily one of the better ones we’ve encountered. However, it’s not all positive, as almost every function is now driven through the touchscreen, whereas the previous-generation A4 and A5 had physical buttons for the heating and stereo controls. With this car, there is at least a proper dial for the volume control and others to select the driving mode and parking camera. For everything else, though, you’ll have to go via the screen.

The 14.5-inch touchscreen’s responses are quick, the graphics are clear, and it uses AI-powered technology to learn the driver’s preferred settings and habits. It then adjusts the car to suit you by altering functions such as the lighting and navigation preferences. Of course, you can still pick what you want via the screen, and there are shortcut keys down the right-hand side so you can head to the most important menus more swiftly. You can also use voice control or the touch-sensitive steering wheel pads, though it’s all too easy to brush these as you turn the wheel and find your favourite radio station has suddenly disappeared.

Audi’s excellent Virtual Cockpit with 11.9-inch dash display can be augmented with a head-up display for the driver. In the Edition 1 model as standard, the front passenger gets their own 10.9-inch screen to let operate the stereo or sat-nav, and it can be used to watch videos while a privacy mode prevents the driver from being able to see the screen and become distracted. Naturally, the A5 Avant also comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that can be connected wirelessly or using a USB-C cable.

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Sorting out the ideal driving position in the Audi A5 Avant is really very easy. The seat can be adjusted in many ways and this is done electronically in the Edition 1, while the steering wheel can be moved for angle and depth. Combine this with a seat that is supportive and well shaped, and you have a car that will keep you snug and ache-free.

Audi has also struck just the right note with how sporty the A5 Avant’s driving environment feels. The centre console is high enough to place everything easily but not so tall that it looms into your personal space. However, storage space is not the A5 Avant’s strongest suit as the door pockets are not as big as some rivals', the glovebox is small, and the phone charging tray is also modest in size.

Open the rear doors and there’s easy access to the back seats, which also makes it simple when installing a child seat. You can use the ISOFIX mounts that are standard on the two outer rear chairs for this. Larger people sitting in the back will note the A5 Avant offers more room than the previous A4 Avant this car replaces. The A5’s extra length, height and width all deliver enough space for taller adults to be comfy back here, though fitting three across the back seat will be a tight fit. A trio of kids, on the other hand, is not a problem if they’re pre-teens.

Does the Audi A5 Avant have a big boot?

You sense it would offend German engineering pride to design an estate car that didn’t deliver a generous boot, and the Audi A5 Avant is a thoroughly-engineered German estate. It provides 476-litres of carrying capacity with the rear seats raised and the area is nicely square. You won’t have to jam bags into awkward corners or nooks to make the most of the available room. However, you will find the diesels (and S5) have a smaller boot - down to 448-litres, which is so-so for the class when a BMW 3 Series Touring musters 500-litres and a Skoda Superb offers a whopping 690-litres.

It’s the same story with the rear seats folded as the Audi A5 Avant is good but not class-leading with its 1,424 litres being beaten by BMW and Mercedes with their equal 1,510-litre capacities. Skoda laughs at that with the Superb Estate’s ma-hoosive 1,920 litres. Go for the diesel A5 Avant or the S5 performance model and they serve up a maximum load capability of 1,396 litres.

Of course, practicality is not all just down to space. How you access it and divvy it up is important too. In the Audi A5 Avant, the low load sill height makes it simple to lift in those overpacked holiday cases, while the electric tailgate in all models saves hassle when you have your hands full.

Levers placed just inside the boot opening let you drop down the rear seats, which are divided 40:20:40 to let you vary loads and people-carrying duties as well as in a BMW or Mercedes. There’s no lip between sill and load floor, either, so easing bigger items in and out isn’t going to snag fingers.

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Audi is not as strong a performer in the 2024 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey as you might hope given the company’s upmarket image. However, it’s too early to make any solid conclusions about the A5 Avant given it’s based on the same all-new platform as the latest A6. Audi provides a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty as standard, which lags behind the unlimited-mileage cover given by BMW and Mercedes, while Lexus can up that to 10 years and 100,000 miles if you keep your car serviced by an official dealer annually.

How safe is the Audi A5 Avant?

A whole raft of safety kit in the A5 Avant is bundled into what Audi calls ‘Driver assistance7’. What this means is that every A5 Avant comes with a 360-degree parking display, rear-view camera, and Park Assist Plus that will parallel or reverse park the car for you. This pack also comes with hill hold assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and hazard avoidance, traffic sign recognition, intersection assistance, lane departure warning, keyless go, and driver fatigue alert.

On top of all that, all A5 Avants have ISOFIX child seat mounts in the outer two rear seats and front passenger seat. Electric child locks work on the rear doors, and there are plenty of airbags including a central one between the front passengers.

Given all of this is standard with every Audi A5 Avant, it’s a shame only the Edition 1 model gets a proactive passenger protection system, and lane change assistance with exit warning, rear cross traffic assist and rear turn assist. Choose the Edition 1 and you also benefit from occupant detection in the rear seats, a top-view camera, and convenience key to unlock the car automatically as you approach.

Should you buy an Audi A5 Avant?

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Cold, hard, rational decision-making will mean plenty of company car drivers will hold off choosing the Audi A5 Avant until the plug-in hybrid models become available. The diesel-powered A5 Avant is a sound bet for those who need to cover big miles, though you will have to accept a smaller boot than the petrol version, and the A5 Avant is not as roomy in the boot as its key rivals from BMW or Mercedes.

That issue of space is the same when you fold the rear seats down, so although the A5 Avant is a useful load lugger, it’s not the biggest, and that could prove a hurdle for some buyers. However, for families, the extra rear seat room the A5 Avant provides compared to the last A4 Avant will be more important as your kids grow.

Stick to the more affordable Sport and S line models of the A5 Avant and it makes a convincing case for itself against the BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes C-Class Estate. The Edition 1 and S5 models are lovely to look at, but the price premium they demand doesn't cut it in our view, considering what little extra kit you get.

Pick the Audi A5 Avant based purely on style and looks over its rivals and you won’t be disappointed. It does everything rivals do, albeit with an Audi flavour, though if you want the best estate car for your money we’d suggest the Skoda Superb does it all better for less.

What is the best Audi A5 Avant for low running costs?

Diesel may be on the decline, but the Audi A5 Avant with the 201bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine is a great way to cover long distances without having to fuel up very often. It offers a combined economy of 57.6mpg, 129g/km carbon dioxide emissions and will also be slightly quicker off the mark than the identically powerful front-wheel drive petrol model. You can also have the diesel with quattro four-wheel drive with only a minor impact on economy and emissions.

What is the best Audi A5 Avant for keen drivers?

If you’re an avid driver, the Audi S5 Avant will be the model for you, packing a 362bhp turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine. It has all-wheel drive as standard and covers off 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds. If its £71,000 price tag puts you off, try the 2.0-litre turbodiesel with four-wheel drive as a surprisingly capable, economical fast estate capable of 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds.

What is the Carbuyer pick of the Audi A5 Avant range?

While we wait for Audi to introduce plug-in hybrid versions of the A5 Avant, our choice is the 2.0 TDI 204 S tronic diesel in either Sport or S Line trims. It might not have the four-wheel drive of its sister diesel model, but its sure-footed handling is more than good enough. What clinches it for us is its low fuel consumption and lengthy driving range on a single tank.

Audi A5 Avant alternatives

The Audi A5 Avant has to fight for sales against a broad spread of rivals. Its biggest threats come from the BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes C-Class Estate, which have the classy looks, style and badges to more than match Audi. Genesis also has superb build quality on its side with the G70 Shooting Brake, though this model is hampered by mediocre load space and its petrol engine’s running costs. While it’s not quite got the same premium image, the Skoda Superb Estate has to be in the running if you’re looking for the best estate out there because it’s also well made and good to drive.

• BMW 3 Series Touring
• Genesis G70 Shooting Brake
• Mercedes C-Class Estate
• Skoda Superb Estate