Audi A5 Sedan Advanced Review

First things first: The car you see in the photos is called the Audi A5 Sedan, but it's also the replacement for this Audi A4.

The change comes, unfortunately, because the model was launched at a time when Audi wanted to change its alphanumeric naming convention so petrol-powered models would get odd numbers while electric models would make use of even numbers.

However, this move has since been reversed, so the more recent Audi A6, for example, will still be available with petrol-burning engines.

Confused? Here's another thing you'll need to note: The rear of this this car comes with a liftback rear, but it isn't called a Sportback, as per Audi's usual practice for its liftback/hatchback models.

You'll be able to pick from eight different light signatures in this new Audi A5

A rose?

Don't let any of these distract you from the fact that this Audi A5 is one stunning thing to look at.

Design details of note here include those new head lights that give you the opportunity to choose from eight different light signatures, as well as the full-width lighting arrangement at the rear.

And it's one impressive thing when viewed from afar as well, with its low front section (highlighted by one sculpted bonnet), paired with a gently sloping roofline at the rear to give the car one muscular form.

Flush door handles and an impressive full width taillight arrangement at the rear add to the tech-driven look of the Audi A5

But step inside and there's more that will stun.

This Audi A5 marks the first time we have got our hands on Audi's new 'Digital Stage', here comprising the firm's 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and 14.5-inch MMI touch display, both integrated into a free-standing, curved panoramic unit.

It's one visual treat this is, and a masterclass in cramming so many options within an array that will not leave the uninitiated feeling lost, or indeed, on how to impress without resorting to a gaudy palette of colours.

But this cabin isn't without faults. Those seated at the rear will notice that the centre console protrudes back a fair bit, so the one seated in the centre seat will have compromised knee room, and that transmission tunnel is both wide and tall - although this is understandable given that this car sits on a new platform that will also be utilised by a host of all-wheel drive cars.

Audi's new 14.5-inch MMI touch display offers a wide array of options to set your car up as you wish while remaining intuitive to use

A spade?

Whatever you wish to call this car, if you're interested in securing one example for yourself, know that the rest of it presents as one polished product.

Audi must have put quite a bit of work into developing said new PPC platform (that is, short for Premium Platform Combustion), because insulation levels in this A5 are nothing short of superb.

Keep to a gentle change of pace in the Audi A5 and engine noise is always at a minimum. Vibration and road noise, meanwhile, are scarcely noticeable.

A handy driving aid: The 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit informs you if the car's sensors detect a car approaching from the neighbouring lanes

And there's plenty else for those of whom comfort is a priority. Take, for example, the fact that the ride in this A5 is just superb: At speed, this liftback simply cruises over road undulations with a sovereignty befitting of a larger vehicle.

That 201bhp 2.0-litre engine under the new bonnet proves just about sufficient for the task of hauling this A5's 1,695kg total mass and comes paired to a seven-speed transmission that isn't as hesitant to step down to a lower gear as tends to be the case for many of the firm's less overtly sporty products.

The Audi A5 should be your pick if you're in the market for a compact premium sedan that will deliver comfortable and quiet drives

Or maybe a duck?

Pick your Audi A5 Sedan in the 'Advanced' trim that we have here as opposed to one in the 'Edition 1' trim, and your car will come without features including a Bang and Olufsen sound system, a head-up display, and a host of exterior body accent pieces that give the car a more aggressive look.

If you don't need such extras and think of this A5 as a successor to the Audi A4 (as per Audi's temporarily adjusted naming convention), you'll only need to part with a total of $287,999 to secure your own. At that price, this new A5 stands as quite the competition for the $295,888 that the BMW 318i in its 'Inspiring' trim is asking for, let alone the $308,888 that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class will ask from you (all prices as of 1 May 2025, inclusive of COE).

And if you're still not convinced, do also consider also the point that this new A5 Sedan is a larger car even than the previous Audi A5 Sportback , and that makes this new car quite the irresistible deal, whatever you wish to call it.

Like your liftbacks? You might want to also catch these reviews:

Perhaps you'd want to read up on Skoda's updated Octavia, which now comes with an upgraded infotainment and a 1.5-litre engine

Or maybe you'd be interested in seeing just how Toyota's new Prius Hybrid fares?

And there's also the updated Porsche Panamera if you've got a bigger budget!