2025 Audi A5

Here comes the second part of Audi’s confusing strategy with its 2025 Audi A5. This car is an all-new model, replacing both the previous A4 sedan and A5 Sportback — even though the 2025 A4 and 2025 A5 Sportback are still being sold at Audi dealerships until stocks dry up.

Once 2026 rolls around, the new A5 will have the combustion-powered Audi compact luxury car section to itself. Like the old A5 Sportback, this one has a hatchback instead of a conventional trunk. Neither car lets its eminent practicality get in the way of its superb sleekness. Or vice versa.

Based on a fresh platform, the 2025 A5 is an all-new model that’s higher, wider, and longer than the outgoing A4 sedan. The new A5 also heralds a somewhat different approach to exterior design and an updated interior design incorporating plenty of technology. Audi ditched the Sportback part of the name, leading us to assume that there won’t be any coupe or convertible variants this time around.

Premium Plus has been a popular choice with the previous A5 generation, and we wouldn’t be at all surprised if it was the same with this new A5. The A5’s starting price is $3,600 more than the 2025 A4 sedan, but $700 below the outgoing A5 Sportback.

Not many rivals offer a hatchback, but the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is one consideration and close to the A5 in price. Going down the sedan route opens up the possibility of the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class, both in the same financial ballpark as the A5. The Genesis G70 comes in about $5,000 below those cars.

Before buying a new A5 compact luxury car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values of the previous generation have been a fraction below average. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

Compared with the outgoing model, just seven more horses join the new A5’s stable of 268 horsepower. That should still be sufficient for a brisk sprint from standstill to 60 mph in about five seconds. For reference, the BMW 430i xDrive Gran Coupe packs 255 hp and hits 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

Audi says it has upgraded the A5 with a more responsive suspension, sharper steering, and brake-based torque vectoring. This latter feature enables the outside wheel to track around a corner faster than its inside counterpart, for effective cornering. We’re still expecting some of that typical Audi approach where there’s a certain flow to the car, rather than being too stiff.

Fuel Economy

We’ll update this section when official figures come through. In the meantime, we’re hoping the new A5 will beat the previous car’s 26 mpg combined and be more in line with the 29 mpg combined achieved by the 255-hp BMW 430i xDrive.

Companies like Mercedes-Benz and BMW introduced one-piece displays into their cars a few years ago, while Audi brings its Digital Stage to the new A5. This refers to a single unit employing OLED technology and housing an 11.9-inch instrument cluster plus a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. An extra 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger is optional. Just in front of the Digital Stage is a flat-bottomed and flat-topped steering wheel.

This latest A5 has a massive 22.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats (1.6 more than before), opening to 36.6 cubic feet with those back seats folded.

Like the erstwhile A5 Sportback, the new 2025 A5 is a 4-door car with a hatchback. Yet, to our eyes, it still manages to be one of the sleekest 4-doors out there. Also, if anyone thought that Audi designs had become a bit unremarkable, this A5 shakes things up with a strong visual impact.

All-wheel drive
It’s a common thing and comes as standard in the new A5. But that doesn’t mean we should take it for granted because it provides great grip and traction.

Bang & Olufsen audio
The top version of these two superb setups available is a surround-sound system with 810 watts going through 20 speakers, four of which are in the front headrests of the (also optional) sport front seats.

Navigation prompts
Admittedly, we’ve all heard that disembodied voice telling us to turn right in 700 feet (or whatever). The clever thing here is that such prompts can come through the new A5’s aforementioned driver’s-side headrest speakers so as not to disturb any other occupants.

Head-up display
Much bigger than the one offered before, this head-up display is configurable to show a choice of information using controls on the steering wheel — so the driver can keep looking ahead.

Dynamic interaction light
BMW has something similar. It’s part of the cabin’s LED lighting, a strip running across the top of the dashboard that activates when locking or unlocking, clicking on a turn signal, and several other functions.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine propels the new A5 with 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque — a modest bump over its predecessor, but a decent amount of muscle all the same. This is linked to a 7-speed automated transmission that drives all four wheels. We review the V6-powered new S5 separately.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Audi’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This protection is typical among European luxury car makers. Audi also includes four years of roadside assistance.

Safety

Pardon the pun, but it’s safe to assume the new A5 will come with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking as standard, along with a few other driver assistance features.