The new Audi A5 is a big step up from its predecessor, taking the best bits from both the A4 and A5.
Trying to make sense of Audi’s model naming logic lately feels like reading the fine print on a German warranty card.
The car you see here is called the A5, but it’s also the new A4. Confused? You’re not alone.
Once you’re done navigating the labyrinthine naming scheme, the A5 itself is actually refreshingly straightforward. It’s a four-door liftback dressed in coupé eveningwear. Walk around to the rear and you’ll find a powered hatch disguised beneath a sloping roofline. The estate version still goes by Avant, of course, but as usual, Singapore will not get it.
Now a little longer, wider, and taller than before, the A5 stretches just past the 4.8-metre mark. It’s sleeker than the outgoing model, with tighter proportions and a cabin that sits notably low.
It’s butter smooth
Slide behind the wheel and you’ll find the A5 drives like the sensible elder sibling at the family reunion. Audi’s recipe hasn’t changed much, and it is still an easygoing daily driver.
It’s happiest when gliding along highways, rocking up kilometres like a banker at a buffet. Through tighter corners, the A5 remains unflustered, but the front-wheel drive drivetrain does induce understeer when pushed hard.
The entry-level 2.0-litre TFSI petrol comes with 201bhp. It’s a new engine with some clever turbo trickery designed to boost efficiency and lower emissions, and in its higher tune, it has more than enough oomph for overtaking duty. Although it’s a shame the A5 doesn’t come with Audi’s ‘MHEV Plus’ mild hybrid tech, found in the new Q5.
The engine isn’t quite as silky as Audis of old, but it settles into a relaxing rhythm once you’re cruising.
Business Class
The A5 has the same familiar restrained luxury Audi does best. It’s not flashy, but there’s an assured quality to everything you touch. The gloss black trim, however, attracts fingerprints no matter how hard you keep your hands off.
There’s a sea of screens; a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, and, if you tick the right box, a 10.9-inch display for the front passenger.
Fortunately, Audi has wisely dedicated some touchscreen real estate to climate control, which means you won’t be jabbing through menus just to cool your feet. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, as does wireless charging, complete with a cooling fan to keep your phone from boiling.
We also appreciated the ambient lighting, which subtly pulses along with nav cues and safety alerts. It’s little touches like these that elevate the everyday.
Up front, the A5 is roomy and comfortable. Rear legroom is decent, but tall folks might find it tricky thanks to that swooping roofline. 445 litres of boot space expands to 1,299 litres with the seats folded.
Quiet Confidence
In many ways, the A5 is Audi doing what Audi does best. It’s composed, comfortable, and packed with just enough tech to impress your colleagues without needing a user manual. It may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but it’s the one you’ll reach for most often.
The lack of genuine excitement in the handling stakes is a shame, and the tech borders on overkill in places. But if you want a stylish, spacious, and effortlessly capable car for everyday life, the A5 wears its badge with pride.
Technical Specifications
Audi A5
Engine: 2-litre in-line 4, Turbocharged
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 201 bhp
Torque: 340 Nm
Gearbox: 7-Speed S Tronic
0-100km/h: 7.8 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 248 km/h
Fuel Tank Capacity: 56 litres
Fuel Economy: 14.5 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$294,999 (Advanced), S$309,999 (Edition 1) with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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