2025 AUDI A5, S5 OFFER A ROOMIER CABIN, MORE POWER
When it comes to testing, I have nothing against driving crossovers, nor do I pooh-pooh electric vehicles or hybrids. They invariably prove interesting and occasionally fun to drive. Besides, they are pretty much all that are available in most manufacturer’s press fleets. Yet I get absolutely giddy whenever I get a chance to drive a proper, gasoline-fuelled sport sedan. While not quite the last dodo bird, there are definitely fewer models to enjoy than there were 20 years ago. So, just on the news Audi was updating its A5 family lineup for 2025 with a new third-generation model — second generation for the zippy, higher-performance S5 — I was invested, intrigued and impatient to get behind the wheel.
Note: Similar to the new Q5, Audi is selling this new 2025 A5 and S5 alongside the previous generation model, the company phasing in the new version while still offering the older model this year.
What’s new with the Audi A5 for 2025?
Based on the new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, the A5 lineup offers a roomier cabin, more power, improved driving dynamics, reworked sheet metal, and upgraded technology when compared with the previous generation. Wider, longer and taller, the 2025 A5, which replaces the now-discontinued A4 and A5 Sportback, had its wheelbase stretched 66 mm (2.6 inches), translating to more cargo volume and interior space, including an extra inch of rear-seat legroom and an additional 41 mm (1.6 in.) of front shoulder room. Rear-seat headroom can still prove tight for taller passengers.
The A5 and S5 sport an athletic, coupe-like profile, the restyle integrating a new rear-liftback design, permitting the sedans to maintain the five-door practicality of their predecessors. The A5’s profile stretches rearward in a sweeping arc, flowing into a shallow rear window and ending almost coupe-like at the shortened deck lid, which is edged with a lip spoiler. The rear deck lid opens with the rear window, providing additional functionality with 640 litres (22.6 cubic feet) of trunk space. Storage space can be extended up to 1,036 litres (36.6 cubic feet) when the rear seats are folded down.
The front bumper is dominated by a wider and significantly flatter singleframe grille with a three-dimensional honeycomb structure, with air curtains in its base. The hood sits flush with the bumper giving the A5 a streamlined, albeit slightly bulbous, front end. The S is differentiated with side air intakes and accentuated air curtains.
The front and rear fender blisters are, says Audi, reminiscent of the Ur-Quattro — a core element of Audi design DNA — and the door handles sit flush with the body. At the rear, the light strip has been reworked. Other design highlights include the darkened diffuser integrated into the bumper, and rectangular exhaust tips.
Audi also gets funky with the exterior lighting, with eight customizable digital LED daytime running light signatures available on A5 Technik, S5 Progressiv and S5 Technik trims, and customizable second-generation digital OLED taillights available on A5 and S5 Technik models. The rear lighting choices come courtesy of more than 360 segments that provide three-dimensional shapes, this technology permitting cool lighting effects when locking or unlocking the vehicle, along with more levels of personalization.
What powers the 2025 A5 and S5?
Although keeping the same displacement as in the previous generation models, both engines have been re-engineered, the most noteworthy change being that the twin-scroll turbocharger has been swapped out in favour of a variable vane type. A5 models use the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission mated to a 2.0L TFSI four-cylinder that produces 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque , sent to the car’s quattro drive. Compared with the standard “45” engine in the outgoing A5, this is an increase of 67 hp and 59 lb-ft of torque, helping reduce the run to 100 km/h to 5.9 seconds, an improvement of 0.8 seconds.
2025 Audi S5s are powered by a 3.0L TFSI V6 producing a robust 362 hp and 406 lb-ft. This is an increase of 13 hp and 37 lb-ft of torque, which helps reduce the 0-100 km/h time by 0.2 seconds to a speedy 4.6 seconds. The engine is also mated to the seven-speed dual-clutch, directing power to the quattro drive and a standard sport rear differential. For what it’s worth, these are the same powertrains as in the new Q5 and SQ5 crossovers.
The freshened sheet metal is complemented by an interior layout that creates a greater feeling of space, augmented by new driver-centric displays, which Audi calls the Digital Stage. The new E³ 1.2 digital electronic architecture includes latest suite of Audi safety-enhancing and connectivity features. The new curved driver-centric OLED displays — called the Digital Stage — help bring these technologies into owners’ “increasingly digitalized” lives.
The MMI panoramic display consists of an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and 14.5-inch MMI centre touch display. The Digital Stage can be complemented with an optional 10.9-inch MMI front-passenger display integrated into the dashboard. Added to this is the optional dynamic interaction light (IAL), an LED strip running the width of the vehicle across the top of the dashboard. The IAL provides visual cues to help confirm functions such as lock/unlock, or to augment virtual cockpit messages such as turn-signal operation.
Available is an updated and configurable head-up display (HUD). Drivers now have the option of adjusting vehicle and infotainment functions directly via the HUD, the image area more than 85% larger and with greater clarity than previously. Additionally, the HUD is now configurable to display additional content on request, such as speed, assistance systems, navigation instructions and media data. The redesigned steering wheel controls allow users to scroll through lists and make selections without directing their eyes from the road. Calls can also be received and made via the HUD.
A5 models feature the Audi assistant, an AI-powered adaptive voice control that understands natural language. The driver can activate the assistant via the voice command “Hey Audi” or via a button on the steering wheel, and it can be used to call up various vehicle functions such as climate control or navigation.
Audiophiles will appreciate the choice of two optional Bang & Olufsen sound systems with 3D sound, providing up to 810 watts of power and 20 loudspeakers, including four integrated into the headrests of the optional front sports seats. The headrest speakers can also benefit privacy when making phone calls, as audio will not permeate outside of the vehicle. Navigation prompts can also be transmitted directly to the driver’s headrest.
What are the new A5 and S5 like to drive?
Oh, the joys of carving corners at “entertaining” speeds with a car that responds adroitly to one’s commands. Both the A5 and S5 are impressive with precise handling that does not come at the expense of ride comfort. The new A5’s progressive-ratio steering has been improved over the last generation’s, accomplished by mounting the steering rack directly to the body, along with the use of a much stiffer torsion bar. This, says Audi, reduces the elasticity between the steering wheel and front wheels, providing more precise driver feedback from the road. Additionally, the front suspension wishbone bearings have been improved, the front drive-axle designs have been stiffened, and front-axle camber has been increased for more immediate reaction to steering inputs.
The A5 arrives with a tuned steel suspension and 18-inch wheels with standard all-season run-flat tires, and 19-inch wheels with optional all-season run-flat tires. The S5 is fitted with an S sport suspension and standard 19-inch wheels with summer tires, and two different 20-inch wheel designs with summer tires optional.
Available on the S5 is an adaptive S sport suspension with electronic damper control, which offers a significantly wider spread than before between the three driving modes (Comfort, Dynamic and Balanced), via the Audi drive select. Dynamic is now noticeably firmer and tuned more for performance, while the Comfort mode offers more compliance for a relaxed drive. Both suspension options on the S5 lower the ride height by 20 mm compared with the A5.
All these tweaks were put to the test on a winding, very uphill drive from Denver to the posh ski town of Aspen. And much like last week’s First Drive of the new Q5, the route for the A5 and S5 took in four-lane highway as well as twisting, undulating and often steep roads between mountain ranges, culminating in a traverse over the 11,990-foot-high Loveland Pass. Turbo engines may be less affected by altitude compared with naturally aspirated motors, but they still experience power loss at higher elevations. (Turbos compress the intake air, which helps to offset the lower air density at higher elevations, but there is a critical altitude where the turbocharger struggles to compensate.)
Despite the heights, neither car seemed particularly out of breath or coarse whenever a heavier right foot asked for more, the increased horsepower from the A5’s updated engine giving it a verve that was in far shorter supply from the old model. And the S5, though lacking the absolute horsepower of some of its main competition — which include such notables as the Cadillac CT5-V , BMW M340i , Mercedes C 43 , Lexus RC 350 and Acura TLX Type S — has plenty of grunt when needed, which I used to advantage in getting around several vehicles stuck behind a particularly slow-moving RV. With Dynamic mode selected, a quick flick the paddle to shift down a gear resulted in a heady rush of speed to take care of the situation.
As for the twisty tarmac bits, the A5, though not having the same sport setup of its S5 sib, has a more robust suspension than before, which allowed it to negotiate corner after corner with gratifying agility — and no complaints of queasiness from my two passengers. The techy reason is that the sedan’s integrated brake control system — with brake torque vectoring — can apply individual braking inputs to the wheels on the inside of a corner, which works with the electronic stability control to help tighten the cornering radius.
Canadian pricing for the new 2025 A5 and S5
The standard A5 TFSI quattro S tronic has an MSRP of $57,700. The mid-level A5 Progressiv starts at $62,300, and the top-trim A5 Technik goes for $64,300, not including options or packages. The performance-oriented S5 starts at $69,700, with the S5 Progressiv retailing for $74,300 and the S5 Techniq topping out at $77,700, again, not including options or packages.
Final Thoughts
As luxury-oriented, sporty sedans go, the A5 is very likeable. It has good looks and drives well. That said, what I truly enjoyed was the S5. Yes, I’m an unrepentant gearhead, and while the S5 is not the last word in balls-out performance sedans, I appreciate balance more than mega-horsepower. Nonetheless, the S’s acceleration is strong, and its handling is top-notch. The cabin is very liveable. And this comes with zero downsides to the car’s day-to-day livability. It can be driven with restraint without getting fussy in stop-and-go situations, and with a ride that doesn’t come at the expense of comfort.
Both the A5 and S5 face strong competition from a variety of luxury/sporty four-doors, including the usual suspects, versions of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class and Lexus RC, plus others. Audi’s new sedans move the bar.
Pros and cons of the 2025 A5 and S5
Pros
✔ Strong, modern design
✔ Balanced handling
✔ Comfortable
Cons
✘ Some gearheads will say S5 needs more power
✘ Most cabin functions rely on touchscreen
✘ Headroom can be tight for taller rear-seat passengers
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2025-06-18T13:18:37Z