2025 Audi A5 & S5 First Drive Review: Have Your Cake And Eat It

Audi lately discontinued one in every of its most well-known fashions, the A4, which went toe-to-toe with the BMW 3 Collection and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. If you happen to stroll into the dealership now, they may doubtless present you the brand new 2025 Audi A5 Sedan, which primarily acts because the A4’s substitute. Whereas the outgoing A5 was offered in three physique types – coupe, convertible, and Sportback – the brand new one will solely be offered as a sedan (technically nonetheless a Sportback with a hatch, regardless of what the identify suggests). Which means the A5 is extra sensible than the A4 it replaces, nevertheless it’s additionally much more costly. Is that this a wise transfer, or a complete blunder?

Audi’s questionable naming scheme apart, the A5 Sedan and its sportier S5 counterpart make some essential modifications in comparison with the outgoing A5 and S5 Sportback fashions. They’re longer, wider, and taller than the automotive they substitute, yielding extra legroom within the again seat and morestorage area within the trunk. Inside, the cabin has been fully reworked with an out there “Digitial Stage” comprised of three screens. The A5’s four-cylinder and the S5’s V6 get extra energy too, whereas the latter additionally swaps its torque converter automated for a sportier dual-clutch transmission. With all these modifications and extra, has Audi’s fashionable sedan lastly reached its remaining kind? We drove the A5 and S5 throughout Colorado from Denver to Aspen to seek out out.

First Drive occasions present our preliminary impressions of a car in a restricted setting beneath sure time constraints. Regulate DrivingOnRoad for our complete Check Drive evaluate which is able to comply with quickly.

What Is The A5/S5 Sedan?

If you’re confused by the present Audi naming scheme, don’t be concerned – you aren’t alone. The German automaker beforehand said that every one even-numbered automobiles can be electrical, therefore why the next-generation A4 needed to be referred to as the A5, nevertheless it later scrapped that concept. That leaves the A5 and S5 wedged above the A3/S3/RS3 fashions, however under the A6, which can be offered in gasoline and electrical varieties. Extra confusingly, the A5 is labeled a “sedan” regardless of having a hatch as a substitute of a standard trunk, whereas the A6/S6 e-tron fashions are nonetheless referred to as Sportbacks. Regardless of not being referred to as a Sportback, the A5 and S5 fashions extra intently compete with the BMW 4 Collection Gran Coupe, not the three Collection. The outgoing A5 outsold the A4 within the US by greater than three-to-one, although these numbers embrace the now-discontinued A5 Coupe and Cabriolet fashions.

Exterior Design: Extra Sedan, Much less Sportback

Audi wished to have its cake and eat it too with the brand new A5, recognized internally because the B10. It is elevated size is all within the wheelbase. The automotive additionally grows in width and top, giving it proportions that look extra like a conventional sedan and fewer like a “four-door coupe.” The headlights are extra rounded and fewer sharp, whereas the separate taillights have been changed by a linked mild bar. Each units of lights provide as much as eight customizable design themes, although annoying US rules require you to energy cycle the engine earlier than they modify patterns. It is a high-quality design, however we choose the extra aggressive look of the earlier A5 Sportback.

We want Audi supplied a couple of extra thrilling colours, as even the most well liked Grenadine Pink Metallic hue is fairly refined in comparison with among the outgoing choices. Arkona White is the one no-cost colour (all others value $595), and the A5 has some unique colours, together with Horizon Blue and Chronos Grey. The A5 rides on some fairly plain-looking 18-inch five-arm wheels, however 19-inch five-arm aero wheels with a bi-color end can be found for $800. The S5 upgrades to nicer 19-inch double V-spoke design wheels with sportier 20-inch five-arm falx design wheels out there for $800 as properly. We would go for the $1,450 Black Optic bundle, which incorporates extra intricate 20-inch multi-spoke sport design wheels, black exterior trim, and black Audi rings.

Inside: Plain However Good

The A5’s inside feels very premium even on the low finish, and the S5 elevates it additional with extra fashionable seats that may be wrapped in Wonderful Nappa Leather-based with diamond quilting as a part of a Sport seats plus bundle. Prospects can go for Pearl Beige, Nutmeg Brown, or black leather-based within the A5, whereas the S5 will be optioned in black, Arras Pink, or a Black/Blue mixture as a part of an Audi Unique design bundle that prices $7,300. Heated seats come normal with higher trims including air flow, and the S5 features a therapeutic massage operate. For $1,000 on the Premium trims or normal on the higher trims, a panoramic glass sunroof allows mild, however can grow to be opaque in numerous segments utilizing variable mild management. It is extraordinarily cool, and was beforehand reserved for dearer Volkswagen Group merchandise just like the Porsche Taycan.

Because of the longer wheelbase, rear legroom grows by over an inch, whereas headroom can also be improved by the upper roofline. The outgoing A5 Sportback was too tight for tall adults within the again, however this new mannequin is much extra snug. Heated rear seats and guide rear facet shades can be found to additional enhance the expertise. With its hidden hatchback design, the A5 was already one of the sensible “sedans” available on the market, however this new mannequin is much more spacious. The trunk comprises 22.6 cubic ft of area (21.8 cubes beforehand), and the rear seats will be folded to open up 36.6 cubes (beforehand simply 35 cubes). This dwarfs the trunk area within the A5’s closest rival, the 4 Collection Gran Coupe, which solely packs 16.6 cubic ft of trunk area, although the BMW does have extra room with the seats folded (45.6 cubes).

Infotainment: Coming into A Digital World

If you happen to choose to not be overwhelmed by screens, this will not be the automotive for you. Each A5 and S5 features a 14.5-inch touchscreen MMI infotainment system and an 11.9-inch digital cockpit. The previous is bigger and extra superior than the display it changed with out being any more durable to make use of, whereas the latter has truly grow to be extra simplified and would not provide as a lot performance. Choosing a Status trim in both automotive provides a ten.9-inch passenger show, which largely provides the identical capabilities as the middle display with the added capability to observe YouTube and play a couple of video games. It is an pointless addition in our opinion, however it’s good for shopping audio alternatives with out leaving the motive force wanting their map instructions. We had an opportunity to pattern the out there 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, which sounds clear and packs a pleasant punch.

Powertrain & Driving: Enhancing The Tempo

Although they’re technically offered as two totally different fashions, the A5 and S5 are primarily the identical automotive with totally different engines. The A5 comes completely with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the S5 will get a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. Each fashions include quattro all-wheel-drive as normal, and each route energy by means of a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. This is similar transmission discovered within the outgoing A5, however the S5 beforehand used an eight-speed torque converter automated. Each engines obtain a lift in each energy and torque in comparison with the earlier era.

As a result of winding nature of our drive route and the altitude, we weren’t capable of document real-world 0-60 mph occasions for the A5 or S5. That being mentioned, Audi’s producer estimates are similar to the 4 Collection Gran Coupe. BMW says the 430i xDrive will hit 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, whereas the M440i xDrive matches the S5 with a 4.3-second dash. The A5 and S will not be considerably faster than the equal BMW, however they ship a extra aggressive launch due to their dual-clutch transmissions. Audi programed in a 4,000-rpm clutch dump launch management, which feels entertaining within the A5 and thrilling within the S5. It will get off the road an EV, pinning your head to the seat.

We love the seven-speed transmission, which reminds us that even the perfect torque converter automatics lack the quick-shifting motorsports really feel like a well-tuned DCT. The A5’s engine is nothing particular, a punchy however unremarkable turbo-four, however the S5’s V6 emits a snorty howl that appears like a Porsche. That similarity is not unintentional, as this engine is used within the Porsche Cayenne.

The usual A5 rides on metal suspension that gives a compliant but managed journey. It is succesful on the backroad, however permits extra physique roll than a severe automotive fanatic may need. The S5 upgrades to a sport-tuned suspension (nonetheless metal), however the high Status mannequin provides a sport adaptive damping system. We want this suspension was out there à la carte because it permits the suspension to be delicate on dangerous roads however agency up on clean canyon ones. In comparison with the 4 Collection, the A5 and S5 are extra compliant day by day drivers, however aren’t fairly as sharp on the restrict. The steering on each fashions is on the sunshine facet, however equally exact to what we bear in mind within the earlier era. You possibly can have enjoyable in both automotive, however severe drivers will wish to watch for the forthcoming RS5.

Verdict & Pricing: Sedan And SUV Turn into One

We beforehand liked the A5 Sportback as a result of it mixed coupe styling with four-door practicality, and added within the comfort of a hatchback. With this new mannequin, Audi needed to broaden the automotive’s attraction as a result of it replaces the outgoing A4 and A5 fashions. That concerned leaning into the sedan components of the automotive and away from the coupe attributes, all whereas making it really feel extra SUV-like. The result’s a automotive that is much less fairly, however extra useful, and arguably simpler for sellers to promote. Audi is betting that sedan consumers need one thing extra sensible however nonetheless handsome, and primarily based on the gross sales of the final A4, they’re keen to pay for it.

The 2025 A5 begins at $49,700 for the Premium mannequin. That is a significant increase over the outgoing model, which began at $46,500, however that automotive supplied a 201-hp base mannequin that’s not out there, which means the precise value hole is smaller. Audi can also be abandoning clients who might have wished the extra inexpensive A4, which value $42,995 to start out. We would suggest upgrading to the A5 Premium Plus ($53,300) so as to add a top-view digital camera, adaptive cruise help, digital daytime operating lights, Bang & Olufsen 3D audio, a head-up show, and the panoramic glass roof with variable mild management. Ventilated seats can be added to this trim for $900. The Status is simply a bit extra ($56,150), including normal ventilated seats, heated rear seats, matrix design LED headlights, digital OLED taillights, a passenger display, and headrest audio system.

The S5 follows the same trim construction, beginning at $62,700 for the Premium, $66,500 for the Premium Plus, and $70,250 for the Status. It seems dearer than the BMW 4 Collection on-paper, however BMW prices further for particular person options that Audi places in trim ranges. If you happen to worth consolation and expertise over a pure driving expertise, the Audi A5 and S5 ship as glorious day by day drivers with enormous practicality. They’re softer than their predecessors whereas additionally being a bit faster, which is a win-win. Some conventional consumers might mourn the lack of the A4, however the A5 proves that the sedan’s remaining kind is definitely a hatchback.