2025 Audi A5 First Drive: A Damn Fine Daily Driver
The 2025 Audi A5 enters the market with a full redesign, attempting to entice drivers away from crossovers in a world where sedans struggle to find their place. While it may lack the fun personality that enthusiasts crave – a trait Audi addresses with the S5 variant – the A5 proves to be a very nice daily driver with little to complain about.
The A5 has evolved significantly since its introduction in 2008 as a two-door counterpart to the A4. Now in its third generation (B10), the 2025 model has abandoned the two-door version in favor of a Sportback body style – a sleek four-door hatchback. This change is largely due to the A5 assuming the A4’s position in the lineup while the A4 is on a production pause as Audi navigates its electrification path.
Exterior and Interior Changes
Built on Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), the 2025 A5 features a longer wheelbase and a slightly larger body. While it appears to have a traditional trunk, the rear decklid and glass open together to reveal a spacious hatchback cargo area. The exterior styling, while not particularly alluring, is not unappealing either. However, Audi has made significant improvements to the interior, adding visual interest with new shapes, textures, and trim details.
The cabin now boasts an 11.9-inch digital driver’s display paired with a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen in a single curved enclosure. Higher trims feature an additional 10.9-inch touchscreen for passengers. The quality of materials and assembly is excellent, with soft-touch surfaces predominating.
Practicality and Performance
The 2025 A5 offers superb practicality with 22.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 36.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Audi’s Quattro AWD system.
While the A5 isn’t thrilling to drive, it provides sufficient power for everyday driving. The adaptive steering rack offers a stable and secure handling experience, though it lacks engagement. The ride quality is comfortable and poised, with the suspension effectively controlling body motions over various road surfaces.
Luxury Features
The Prestige trim, which we drove, featured several luxury elements, including acoustically laminated glass for the windshield and front doors, making the cabin remarkably quiet. The Bang & Olufsen audio system, with speakers in the front headrests, provided excellent sound quality. The electrochromic glass roof allowed for a view of the sky or instant opacity when needed.
Conclusion
The 2025 Audi A5 is a competent and practical luxury vehicle that excels as a daily driver. While it may not have a strong personality, its uncomplicated nature and high level of competence make it a pleasant car to spend time in. With its spacious cargo area and refined interior, it’s well-suited for both city streets and open roads.
