Audi A5 review - Engines, drive & performance

For a long time, it’s been the case that in the battle of the German compact executive cars, the Mercedes C-Class has been the most comfortable, the BMW 3 Series the most fun to drive and the Audi A4 has sat right in the middle.

We suspect this is still the case for the Audi A5, although our test drive so far in a mountainous region of France will need to be backed up by plenty of driving on British tarmac. Certainly, with 19 and 20-inch wheels fitted, along with sports suspension, the A5 didn’t feel as cosseting over bumpy sections as we’d hoped. The Sport version with modest 18-inch alloys is likely to be the most comfortable.

Audi has worked to make the A5’s steering sharper than that of the old A4, and while it does feel good in sweeping bends, it still doesn’t serve up a hugely sporting personality on a twisty road.

It’s a similar story for the Audi S5. It’s undoubtedly rapid and offers unshakeable grip through the corners, but it lacks the engagement and excitement to make it a true sports car. It’s best thought of as a very quick A5, while the forthcoming RS 5 is set to deliver a full-fat performance car experience.

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Petrol models

The A5 is a pretty big car, so while the 201bhp petrol engine serves up adequate performance, we’d stop short of calling it especially quick. It is admirably refined, though, and its turbocharger means you don’t have to hold on to gears or rev the engine too hard to make progress.

Step into the S5, however, and ‘quick’ feels far more appropriate. Thanks to a 362bhp V6 engine, it’s considerably faster than the regular A5, hitting 62mph in 4.5 seconds – just a tenth behind its key rival, the BMW M340i. Audi’s Quattro four-wheel drive system ensures masses of grip no matter the conditions, but we found the steering too light to inspire the confidence needed to drive quickly along a twisty road. 

The new V6 engine is certainly effective, offering an understated growl that matches the S5’s character, and the automatic gearbox is snappy. In all, it's impressive but not especially engaging, and the S5 falls short of feeling like a true sports car. Instead, it will appeal to those wanting an A5 with an extra turn of speed, while the upcoming RS 5 should be a more serious performance car.

Diesel models

The diesel engine might have the same power figure as the equivalent petrol, but more torque means it’s actually nearly a second faster from 0-62mph. This translates to a more urgent feel in traffic, but it’s a shame the brakes aren’t as smooth in the car with the ‘MHEV+’ setup, because they can feel a bit grabby as you drive in traffic.

Plug-in hybrid models

We haven’t driven or got all the details for the plug-in hybrid versions yet, so we’ll keep you posted. It’s likely they will come with 295bhp or 362bhp, standard quattro four-wheel drive and an electric-only driving range of up to 60 miles, so they’ll be the pick of the range for some buyers.

Electric models 

We previously said there definitely wouldn’t be an electric A5 as that wouldn’t fit with Audi’s new naming policy. However, Audi made an about turn on this policy at the start of 2025, saying its decision to only put electric powertrains in even-numbered models was being dropped. For now, though, loyal Audi fans who don’t want an SUV will still need to wait for the electric A4 to arrive, or upgrade to the Audi A6 e-tron.