The Audi A5 Sedan test drive review: The new A5 is not just a rebadged A4—it’s the model that bridges Audi’s combustion legacy with its digital future. Powered by a 2.0-litre TFSI engine producing 204 PS and 340 Nm of torque, it blends efficiency, refinement, and sportiness with a sleek fastback form that redefines what a mid-size luxury sedan can be.
A Familiar Legacy, Reimagined
Thirty years ago, the Audi A4 quietly redefined the mid-size segment. It wasn’t just another sedan—it was Audi’s signal that progress could be elegant, intelligent, and quietly aspirational. Now, in 2025, that spirit has been reborn as the new Audi A5 Sedan, a successor to both the A4 and the fan-favourite A5 Sportback.
The renaming isn’t marketing sleight of hand—it’s strategic foresight. With the electric lineup adopting even-numbered badges (like the Q6 e-tron), Audi has repositioned its combustion models under odd numbers. But beyond nomenclature, the new A5 marks a subtle yet meaningful shift: a car that respects its lineage while acknowledging the inevitable transition toward hybridisation and electrification.
In essence, this is Audi recalibrating its past for a future that still appreciates the pleasures of petrol.
Design: Subtle Power, Strong Presence
The first impression? Familiar, but sharper. The 2025 A5 sedan sits longer and leaner than before—4,829mm in length with a 2,892mm wheelbase, its stretched proportions give it the presence of an executive car with the poise of a coupé.
Audi calls this a “completely new sedan concept,” and you can see why. The roofline flows like a fastback, tapering elegantly into a short boot lid that hides a generous 445 litres of luggage space. The wide, flatter Singleframe grille and sculpted “Spooncuts” on the bonnet add visual tension, while the sleek Matrix LED headlights frame a face that’s both athletic and distinctly Audi.
It’s a design language that’s matured—not chasing trends, but defining its own rhythm in a market that’s increasingly noisy
Under the Bonnet: Smooth, Smart, and Surprisingly Spirited
Our Singapore test unit came in the A5 Sedan TFSI advanced variant—a front-wheel-drive model paired with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Under the bonnet sits a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with variable turbine geometry (VTG)—a feature usually reserved for high-performance diesels.
The result? A seamless surge of torque even at low revs, and a delivery that feels smoother than its 204 PS might suggest. With 340 Nm of torque between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, it pulls eagerly, reaching 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and topping out at 248 km/h. More impressively, it manages this while sipping a modest 6.9L/100km and emitting just 159 g/km of CO₂.
Audi’s new mild-hybrid MHEV Plus system lends subtle electric assistance during start-stop and coasting phases, trimming emissions without intruding on the drive experience. It’s a powertrain that feels confident, not boastful—engineered for refinement rather than fireworks.
In urban settings, the A5 glides. On the highway, it stretches its legs effortlessly. It’s that rare balance between comfort and composure—firm enough to inspire confidence, supple enough to make long drives feel unhurried.
Inside the Digital Stage: Comfort Meets Clarity
Open the door and you’re greeted not by flash, but by focus. Audi’s latest interior design language—“Human Centric”—translates beautifully here. Every surface feels deliberate, from the soft-touch materials (many made from recycled plastics) to the logically arranged controls.
The centrepiece is the MMI panoramic display, a curved OLED panel that merges the 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit with a 14.5-inch MMI touch display. It’s elegant, intuitive, and angled toward the driver with just the right sense of theatre. For passengers, an optional MMI passenger display allows them to handle navigation or media without distracting the driver.
Add to that the Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System, ambient lighting, and S-line sport seats with massage and ventilation, and you have a cabin that rivals some six-figure luxury flagships.
But what’s most refreshing is how the tech serves the experience—not the other way around. There’s no gimmickry, just an intelligent interface that fades into the background once you’re on the move.
Driving Experience: Confidence with Restraint
Behind the wheel, the A5’s character reveals itself gradually. There’s precision in the steering, a sense of balance that encourages fluidity rather than aggression. The suspension, tuned for Singapore’s mix of tarmac and undulations, finds that sweet spot between composure and compliance.
Audi’s engineers have given the A5 what feels like quiet intelligence—a car that rewards subtle inputs, rather than demanding attention. It’s not trying to be the sportiest in class; instead, it’s comfortable being the most considered. For young professionals who value polish over posturing, that’s a compelling proposition.
A Strategy in Motion
Beyond the drive, the A5’s significance is strategic. It symbolises Audi’s continued investment in combustion tech, even as the brand accelerates its EV rollout. The Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture allows flexibility—today’s A5 may be petrol-powered, but it’s ready for plug-in hybrid configurations tomorrow.
It’s a clever play: while many brands abandon the middle ground between ICE and EV, Audi’s approach feels pragmatic. The A5, then, is not a nostalgic send-off but a transitional marker—a car designed for drivers who aren’t ready to give up the sensory pleasures of combustion, yet still care about efficiency and sustainability.
In a market increasingly divided between electric evangelists and purists, that’s smart positioning.
Verdict: A Bridge Between Eras
At the end of our Audi A5 Sedan test drive review, one thing stands out: Audi understands balance. This car isn’t chasing novelty—it’s refining familiarity. Every detail, from the tactile switchgear to the smoothness of the S tronic gearbox, feels thought through.
It’s not radical, and it doesn’t need to be. The A5 sedan delivers something rarer in today’s market—clarity of purpose. It exists for those who still appreciate mechanical precision in a digital world, and who see progress not as disruption, but as refinement.
In short, Audi hasn’t reinvented the sedan; it’s reminded us why they still matter.
FAQ
Q: What is the key difference between the new Audi A5 and the old A4?
A: The new A5 replaces both the A4 and the A5 Sportback, built on Audi’s new PPC platform with updated hybrid-ready engines and the latest digital interior architecture.
Q: What engine powers the Audi A5 Sedan in Singapore?
A: A 2.0-litre TFSI engine with 204 PS and 340 Nm of torque, paired with a seven-speed S tronic gearbox and front-wheel drive.
Q: Is the Audi A5 fuel efficient?
A: Yes. It achieves 6.9L/100km combined fuel consumption with CO₂ emissions of 159 g/km—efficient for its class.
Q: What are the prices for the Audi A5 in Singapore?
A: Both variants retail at S$287,999 and S$302,999 respectively.