Latest news with #S5
Local Germany
a day ago
- Local Germany
Where transport passengers in Berlin can expect disruptions on Monday
Berlin's S-Bahn was under strain on Monday morning with service disruptions reported across multiple lines. Due to the repair of a signal in Charlottenburg, there are delays and cancellations on the central S3, S5, S7, S75 and S9 lines, the S-Bahn announced. According to the S-Bahn website, as of Monday morning around 8am, the S3 runs between Erkner and Ostbahnhof every 10 minutes. The S5 terminates at Ostbahnhof in the westward direction, coming from Strausberg or Hoppegarten on ten minute intervals. The S75 terminates at Warschauer Straße in the westward direction, coming from Warternberg. At the weekend, a staff shortage had caused massive S-Bahn disruptions on the Ringbahn and lines running between Treptower Park and Schöneweide. Reportedly a lack of staff to manage the signal box at Schöneweide was to blame. It had caused failures of the lines S45, S46, S47, S8, S85 and S9 with restrictions in place until Sunday evening around 6 pm. Advertisement Meanwhile on the U-Bahn, BVG reports that the U1 line is still out of service on Monday. READ ALSO: U-Bahn service disruptions in Berlin highlight systemic issues
7NEWS
6 days ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2025 Audi S5 Avant review
The Audi A4 has been a staple of the German luxury marque's lineup since 1994, but it's dead… for now. Yes, the long-running A4 nameplate was culled in Audi's recent lineup shuffle, which makes all-electric model names even-numbered and combustion- and hybrid-powered nameplates odd-numbered. It has since backtracked, but the mid-size passenger slot had already been renewed and revealed before Audi could bring back the A4 badge. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 and S5 sedan and wagon (Avant) , which effectively combine both the old A4 and A5 ranges into one lineup. The new model is larger in just about every dimension compared to its A4 and A5 predecessors, and brings the brand's latest tech to the table. From launch, the non-performance A5 is sedan-only, with the high-performance S5 available in two variations as well as sedan and Avant body styles. The new A5/S5 family is the first model to bring Audi's new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) to Australia, with the related Q5 mid-size SUV up next. The S5 also debuts Audi's new mild-hybrid 'plus' system in Australia, extending the regular fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid tech by allowing the vehicle to roll around at low speeds in EV mode and reducing combined fuel consumption by up to 0.74L/100km. It's no secret that passenger car sales are down, and the A5/S5 is up against stiff competition in the premium mid-size car category, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. Further, you could argue the Avant in particular is trying to make a case for not buying an SUV, even if the incoming Q5 will prove to be in-house competition. To find out whether Audi's new mid-sizer is worth a look, we attended the Australian media launch in Victoria for our first local drive. We'll touch on the wider launch range in this review, but focus is on the high-output S5 models. How much does the Audi S5 cost? What? A new car that's cheaper than its predecessor? Madness in 2025… The Audi S5′ edition one' is something of a 'purist' specification that does without some of the creature comforts for a $15,000 discount over the full-fat S5s, and also well undercuts the outgoing S4. Even the regular S5 is only a couple grand more than the ageing S4 it replaces, while offering more power, performance and standard specification. While the headline act for the standard A5's price and specs is that the entry point rises substantially, spec-for-spec the 150kW A5 Sedan is more powerful and better equipped than the old A4 35 TFSI S line (110kW), and cheaper than the old A4 45 TFSI quattro (180kW) while offering more standard specification. Later this year, Audi will add four new variants in the form of the 200kW TFSI quattro and 270kW e-hybrid quattro, in both Sedan and Avant body styles. The limited-run edition one is expected to be out of stock by then – more details further down. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What is the Audi S5 like on the inside? The new A5 and S5 usher in a new generation of interiors for Audi, laden with bright and sharp OLED screens just about everywhere and moving away from the more classic, conventional layout of old. The new 'digital stage' interior layout is in full effect in the cabin of the flagship S5, with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus (digital instrument cluster) and 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus infotainment touchscreen bolstered by an additional 10.9-inch passenger-side multimedia touchscreen. Compared to Audi's pared-back, fairly traditional cockpits of old, the new layout and interface can be a little daunting, even jarring. There's a lot of piano black in the bezels of the curved housing of the main driver displays, as well as the centre console, too. The interface is now powered by Android, which explains the smartphone-like widgets and app drawer. Audi says the software is fully tailored to the brand, and allows the installation of a wider set of in-car apps via the Audi Application Store as well as over-the-air software updates. While it's generally fairly usable and definitely not as fiddly as some other touch control-heavy interiors within the Volkswagen Group, the A5/S5's infotainment interface feels less conventional and less user-friendly than the previous generation of MMI. The displays offer beautiful clarity, brightness and graphics, though the widget-based menu structure isn't as clean as the tiled system it replaces and you will need to spend a bit more time learning where everything is. Unfortunately, Audi has also moved the A5 to touch-based climate controls, housed in a permanent virtual toolbar at the base of the central display. These aren't as user-friendly as even the clicky touch controls in larger vehicles like the Q7 and Q8, and feel like a step back. The toolbar is small relative to the available display real estate, as are the virtual buttons, meaning any quick changes while on the move require your eyes to be averted from the road and often result in a press of the neighbouring button or pressing it one too many times. I'm also not a big fan of the new multifunction steering wheel controls, which feel like a halfway house between Audi's old tactile physical buttons and the more fiddly touch-capacitive controls used in other VW Group models. They're not bad, but they're not great, either. Be prepared to have a microfibre cloth always at the ready too, because the glossy finish of the display and the swathes of piano black trim are a nightmare for fingerprints and smudges. But it's not all bad, I promise. Quick load times and gorgeously bright colours make these displays beautiful to look at, and while I miss the beautiful simplicity of the old Audi virtual cockpit layout, the new one with its central dial and adjustable side widgets make me feel like I'm wearing Iron Man's helmet. As you'd expect, the S5's infotainment fitout comes fully equipped with connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, as well as native navigation with online mapping. The S5 (optional in the edition one) also comes as standard with a thumping 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. At full blast this immersive in-car sound experience is fantastic – though if you turn the bass and subwoofer up too high I reckon it might feel too much like a nightclub. In the standard S5, you can also opt for additional speakers built into the front head restraints for $980, bringing the speaker count to 20. I didn't spend much time with the passenger display because I drove by myself at the event, but a quick play with the screen reveals it's much like the available passenger displays in Porsche products, in that it basically acts as a secondary infotainment unit for the person riding shotgun, and has a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver when the vehicle is in motion. The general feeling of quality is pretty good, with a good mix of soft-touch and textured materials dotted throughout the cabin. Being the flagship, the S5 gets lovely contrast stitch detailing for the extended leather and leatherette-clad upholstery extended pretty much everywhere, pairing nicely with the beautifully supportive fine Nappa leather-trimmed sports seats with diamond quilting. Being a wagon, you'd expect decent levels of practicality in the S5 Avant too. There's good space for four adults, though the protruding rear centre console and raised centre seat cushion mean a full-size fifth passenger might only be a good idea on the odd occasion. It can all feel quite closed in if you choose the standard black interior – I personally would be quickly rushing to tick the red interior option box – and while the rear windows are decent in size, the rising shoulder line restricts outward visibility for shorter passengers. Forward visibility is also obstructed by those chunky front seatbacks with integrated head restraints, which is something to consider if your children are prone to motion sickness, and also makes it hard for adult passengers to see out. That said, you can really open up the cabin with the available panoramic glass roof, though you need to pay $4990 for the privilege. The optional roof also comes with what Audi calls 'switchable transparency', basically utilising similar tech to the Porsche Taycan whereby a liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass panels can be turned clear or opaque using electricity. That may all sound a little naff to you, but it removes the need for a conventional shade, which opens up more headroom while in theory offering similar if not better insulation from heat and UV rays. Rear climate controls and USB-C charge ports add to the back-seat amenity, and there are your requisite ISOFIX and top-tether anchors for child seats should you need them. Fun fact? The rear USB-C ports can output 100W to charge larger devices like laptops should you need the extra juice, too. You might expect the S5 Avant to have a vastly larger and more practical boot than the S5 Sedan, but it's actually not all that much larger. Audi quotes 448 litres with the rear seats in place and 1396 litres with the second row folded, which is not a huge difference to the Sedan's 417-1271L. That's because the A5/S5 Sedan is actually a liftback, giving it a much larger opening than a conventional sedan with bootlid, and basically giving you the choice of two hatchback designs. Still, I'd go the Avant every time. As is seemingly customary in most premium products these days, particularly European ones, there is no spare tyre – just a repair kit. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What's under the bonnet? At launch, just the 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 270kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engines are available, the latter with Audi's new MHEV plus 48V mild-hybrid system. Overseas, there are also MHEV plus-equipped TFSI petrol and TDI diesel variants, and Audi's local product team has left the door open to offering more mild-hybrids here, though it hasn't confirmed when we might see them. Speaking of, the MHEV plus tech is effectively an extended 48V mild-hybrid system that can drive in EV mode unassisted at low speeds, like when crawling in traffic or rolling in carparks. Audi says official combined-cycle testing shows the system can save 0.74L/100km of fuel – likely more in stop-start traffic than in the real world. The system consists of an 18kW motor/generator mounted to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Audi claims its MHEV plus tech boosts performance and cuts turbo lag, in addition to the fuel savings that result from this. Following the initial launch, Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the TFSI 200kW quattro and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants, both of which will be available in sedan and wagon body styles. The latter is the first plug-in hybrid Audi in the mid-size passenger car segment, and claims to offer just under 90km of WLTP-certified driving range while being about half a second slower from 0-100km/h than the hi-po S5. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How does the Audi S5 drive? The Victorian-based launch drive program took us from Melbourne Airport and up Mount Macedon north-west of the Victorian capital, then to the regional town of Trentham before returning back to the airport. Above: S5 Avant Not only did this drive program have a good mix of road and traffic conditions, but we got a typically Victorian mix of weather conditions too – including rain and light snow. Having started the event in a base-spec A5 Sedan 150kW (more on that in a dedicated review soon), the full-fat S5 Avant I drove next definitely had its own distinct personality and sound by comparison. The petrol V6 has a brassy muted growl which sounds quite purposeful when tested back to back with the standard A5's 2.0-litre four-pot, and the substantial increased in grunt as well as quattro all-wheel drive make it quite a lot faster. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, which is seriously quick in anyone's money for a family car. But it actually feels quicker when rolling, steaming along with very responsive acceleration and a meaty mid-range punch that just shoves you along. The S5's maximum torque of 550Nm is available from just 1700rpm, but the extra boost from the mild-hybrid system means you don't really get that sensation of turbo lag on initial throttle input thanks to the immediacy of torque from the electrified tech. Audi's quattro AWD system offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, and the standard quattro sport differential on the rear axle additionally shuffles drive to the rear wheel with the most grip to provide even more rear-end traction in addition to the rear-biased torque split. It makes for some pretty silly fun on twisty B-roads like those we encountered on the launch drive. In addition to the addictive acceleration and response, the S5 is a pretty capable handler with quick steering and heaps of grip as mentioned earlier. While the steering in typical Audi fashion could do with a little more weight and feedback, the S5 Avant is a pretty rad grand tourer that is very eager to eat up any back road. The V6's lovely brassy tone makes itself well known at full noise and as the revs rise, though it's not as sonorous as some might like. Blame ever-stricter European emissions and noise regulations that continue to strangle powertrains like this, but you do get little burbles and cracks at the limit. The S5 does pump real engine noise into the cabin via the speakers to compensate and, while it's much better than the fake sounds used by other brands, you may still be left wanting for some fuller sounds. Above: S5 Avant edition one Should you want to take more control, you can shift gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, though the S5 has a habit of shifting up for you if you are about to hit the rev-limiter. The adjustable damping does change up noticeably enough when playing around with the Audi drive select modes too. Even in its dynamic mode, the S5 is far from uncomfortable. Some may be tempted to always drive in this setting with the transmission left in D (rather than S) to get the most direct steering feel and fullest engine sound. Insulation from road and wind noise is also impressive given the S5's more athletic bent and its performance-focused tyres. Only on the roughest patches of bitumen did the Pirelli P Zero tyres drum up a bit of road roar, but it was still pretty well suppressed. The MHEV plus system also really puts itself to work when you're not in dynamic mode. When coasting or coming to a stop, the 48V system will constantly shut the engine off to save fuel, and at lower speeds will also do its best to stay in EV mode as you roll along. We still didn't manage to get under fuel consumption of 10L/100km during our pretty spirited stints behind the wheel of the S5 Avant, but I imagine in more realistic daily driving conditions like peak-hour commuting and the school run, this will help add a few kilometres per litre compared to a non MHEV-assisted powertrain. I had a shorter drive in the S5 Avant edition one back-to-back with the full-fat S5 Avant as well, to see if the more purist spec provided a significantly different experience to go with its $15,000 lower price tag – yep, that much. You get the same thumping V6 TFSI drivetrain but without the adaptive chassis tech, as well as fewer luxuries in the cabin, but really if your focus is the driving experience the edition one could be seen as an incredible bargain. The smaller alloy wheels help to compensate for the lack of adaptive damping, with a well-sorted ride that errs closer to the firmer setting of the flagship model but does incredibly well to iron out the lumps and bumps of country roads, while also communicating the surface in a way that an S buyer would want. If anything, it's a more focused experience, which is what Audi's product planners were aiming for. Should you be looking into the S5, I'd strongly suggest considering the edition one if you're not hell bent on having every option. Finally, the assistance systems. The S5 (and the wider A5 lineup) comes standard with most things you'd expect, like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras, but like the Q6 e-tron SUV, active lane centring is not fitted for the time being. Audi Australia says it should come with a running change at the factory later this year, bringing semi-autonomous driving abilities to its premium mid-sizer. The more advanced lane-keeping system is currently being tailored to Australian road conditions including our unique lane markings, for example, and will likely be retrofittable by dealers in vehicles if the hardware has already been included at the factory. It's perhaps the only real kink in the S5's driver assistance armour, given Audi's active safety technologies are all well calibrated and pretty user-friendly in practice. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What do you get? Three distinct trim levels are available at launch, including the S5 edition one that is more of a pared-back 'purist' variant. It will be effectively replaced by the TFSI 200kW and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants later this year. Above: A5 sedan 2025 Audi A5 TFSI 150kW equipment mhighlights: 19-inch alloy wheels S line exterior Matrix LED headlights Convenience key – keyless entry Projection light in exterior mirrors Electric tailgate with gesture control Digital key 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus Audi sound system Audi connect plus Audi smartphone interface DAB radio Audi phone box light – wireless phone charger USB-C charge points – front, rear Sport front seats with integrated headrests Leather/leatherette upholstery Wraparound interior elements – leatherette Tri-zone climate control Electric front seats Heated front seats Colour ambient lighting A5 TFSI 200kW quattro adds: 19-inch alloy wheels – different design S line interior Sport front seats incl. S embossing Door sill trims with aluminium inlays Inlays in brushed aluminium with linear embossing Sport leather steering wheel – 3-spoke, flat top/bottom Stainless steel pedals Black headlining Roof rails – Avant A5 e-hybrid 270kW quattro adds: 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels Sport suspension Red brake calipers Black exterior styling package Black roof rails – Avant Privacy glass Auxiliary air conditioning AC charging port 11kW AC 3-phase charging 240V 3-pin. Australian standard plug 230V 32-amp CEE industrial plug Type 2 charging cable for public charging Wall bracket for mounting of charger Above: S5 Avant 2025 Audi S5 edition one equipment highlights: 19-inch alloy wheels – black S exterior styling S sports suspension Red brake calipers Black exterior styling package Black roof rails – Avant Dinamica microfibre/leather upholstery with S embossing Wraparound interior elements in Dinamica microfibre Headlining in black Door sill trims with aluminium inlays Pedals in stainless steel Sport leather steering wheel – 3-spoke, S emblem S5 adds: S design 20-inch alloy wheels S exterior aluminium styling Aluminium roof rails – Avant S sport suspension incl. adjustable damping Digital OLED tail-lights Fine Nappa leather upholstery Seats with illuminated S emblem Heated front, rear seats Heated steering wheel Ventilated front seats Massaging front seats Electric steering column adjustment Colour ambient lighting incl. dynamic interaction light strip Head-up display 100W USB-C charge ports Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound MMI front passenger touchscreen display To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Options The S5 is available with selected options depending on the variant. MMI pro package: $6000 (S5 edition one) Head-up display High-powered USB charge ports – rear Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system Single-item options include: Ascari blue metallic paint: $2100 Audi exclusive individual paint – S5: $9700 Black exterior styling package – S5: $2490 Rear privacy glass – S5 edition one: $1100 Panoramic glass roof with switchable transparency: $4990 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display – S5 edition one: $1950 To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Is the Audi S5 safe? The Audi A5 and S5 have yet to be tested by ANCAP, though the A5 did receive a five-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: Adaptive cruise control with stop/go Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection Blind-spot monitoring Driver attention monitoring Front cross-traffic assist Lane-keep assist Front and rear turn assist Rear cross-traffic assist Swerve assist Vehicle exit warning Surround-view camera Front and rear parking sensors Front, side and curtain airbags To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How much does the Audi S5 cost to run? The A5 and S5 range is covered by Audi Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, too. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool CarExpert's Take on the Audi S5 The new S5 Avant is a lovely luxury family express, and makes a pretty good case for itself alongside rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Regardless if you go for the value-driven edition one or the full-house flagship, the S5 offers serious straight-line performance and strong dynamic capabilities, backed by swathes of luxury, tech and everyday practicality. The new Android-based infotainment setup, at least in this reviewer's opinion, perhaps isn't as polished as the old interface from launch, but it has the ability to be improved and refined as time goes on. And the omission of lane centring technology from launch is disappointing – though this will also be addressed moving forward, and I'm sure not everyone will want it anyway. Long-time Audi fans may also lament the move to a more touchscreen-heavy and buttonless interior layout, though in the current landscape I'd still argue the four-ringed marque's approach is no worse than its rivals. Audi is also showing its commitment to the everyday performance wagon. BMW only offers the lesser 330i Touring or high-po M3 Touring, while Mercedes-Benz no longer offers any C-Class Estate in Australia – AMG or not. In today's market that's something to be commended, as is the confirmation of two more Avant variants coming soon. For around $100,000, the S5 edition one is pretty good value for money, and doesn't really miss out on anything we'd consider must-haves. So I suggest you choose that and pocket the $15,000 for another family treat. Oh, and #SaveTheWagon! Interested in buying an Audi S5? Let CarExpert find you the best deal here MORE: Explore the Audi S5 showroom Pros #SaveTheWagon! It's properly quick Sharply priced edition one Cons Some tech quibbles and omissions Avant not much bigger than sedan Some expensive options and packs This article was originally published from CarExpert and appears with permission.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
2025 Audi S5 Avant review
The Audi A4 has been a staple of the German luxury marque's lineup since 1994, but it's dead… for now. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Yes, the long-running A4 nameplate was culled in Audi's recent lineup shuffle, which makes all-electric model names even-numbered and combustion- and hybrid-powered nameplates odd-numbered. It has since backtracked, but the mid-size passenger slot had already been renewed and revealed before Audi could bring back the A4 badge. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 and S5 sedan and wagon (Avant) , which effectively combine both the old A4 and A5 ranges into one lineup. The new model is larger in just about every dimension compared to its A4 and A5 predecessors, and brings the brand's latest tech to the table. From launch, the non-performance A5 is sedan-only, with the high-performance S5 available in two variations as well as sedan and Avant body styles. The new A5/S5 family is the first model to bring Audi's new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) to Australia, with the related Q5 mid-size SUV up next. The S5 also debuts Audi's new mild-hybrid 'plus' system in Australia, extending the regular fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid tech by allowing the vehicle to roll around at low speeds in EV mode and reducing combined fuel consumption by up to 0.74L/100km. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert It's no secret that passenger car sales are down, and the A5/S5 is up against stiff competition in the premium mid-size car category, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. Further, you could argue the Avant in particular is trying to make a case for not buying an SUV, even if the incoming Q5 will prove to be in-house competition. To find out whether Audi's new mid-sizer is worth a look, we attended the Australian media launch in Victoria for our first local drive. We'll touch on the wider launch range in this review, but focus is on the high-output S5 models. What? A new car that's cheaper than its predecessor? Madness in 2025… 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert The Audi S5′ edition one' is something of a 'purist' specification that does without some of the creature comforts for a $15,000 discount over the full-fat S5s, and also well undercuts the outgoing S4. Even the regular S5 is only a couple grand more than the ageing S4 it replaces, while offering more power, performance and standard specification. While the headline act for the standard A5's price and specs is that the entry point rises substantially, spec-for-spec the 150kW A5 Sedan is more powerful and better equipped than the old A4 35 TFSI S line (110kW), and cheaper than the old A4 45 TFSI quattro (180kW) while offering more standard specification. Later this year, Audi will add four new variants in the form of the 200kW TFSI quattro and 270kW e-hybrid quattro, in both Sedan and Avant body styles. The limited-run edition one is expected to be out of stock by then – more details further down. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new A5 and S5 usher in a new generation of interiors for Audi, laden with bright and sharp OLED screens just about everywhere and moving away from the more classic, conventional layout of old. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert The new 'digital stage' interior layout is in full effect in the cabin of the flagship S5, with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus (digital instrument cluster) and 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus infotainment touchscreen bolstered by an additional 10.9-inch passenger-side multimedia touchscreen. Compared to Audi's pared-back, fairly traditional cockpits of old, the new layout and interface can be a little daunting, even jarring. There's a lot of piano black in the bezels of the curved housing of the main driver displays, as well as the centre console, too. The interface is now powered by Android, which explains the smartphone-like widgets and app drawer. Audi says the software is fully tailored to the brand, and allows the installation of a wider set of in-car apps via the Audi Application Store as well as over-the-air software updates. While it's generally fairly usable and definitely not as fiddly as some other touch control-heavy interiors within the Volkswagen Group, the A5/S5's infotainment interface feels less conventional and less user-friendly than the previous generation of MMI. The displays offer beautiful clarity, brightness and graphics, though the widget-based menu structure isn't as clean as the tiled system it replaces and you will need to spend a bit more time learning where everything is. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Unfortunately, Audi has also moved the A5 to touch-based climate controls, housed in a permanent virtual toolbar at the base of the central display. These aren't as user-friendly as even the clicky touch controls in larger vehicles like the Q7 and Q8, and feel like a step back. The toolbar is small relative to the available display real estate, as are the virtual buttons, meaning any quick changes while on the move require your eyes to be averted from the road and often result in a press of the neighbouring button or pressing it one too many times. I'm also not a big fan of the new multifunction steering wheel controls, which feel like a halfway house between Audi's old tactile physical buttons and the more fiddly touch-capacitive controls used in other VW Group models. They're not bad, but they're not great, either. Be prepared to have a microfibre cloth always at the ready too, because the glossy finish of the display and the swathes of piano black trim are a nightmare for fingerprints and smudges. But it's not all bad, I promise. Quick load times and gorgeously bright colours make these displays beautiful to look at, and while I miss the beautiful simplicity of the old Audi virtual cockpit layout, the new one with its central dial and adjustable side widgets make me feel like I'm wearing Iron Man's helmet. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert As you'd expect, the S5's infotainment fitout comes fully equipped with connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, as well as native navigation with online mapping. The S5 (optional in the edition one) also comes as standard with a thumping 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. At full blast this immersive in-car sound experience is fantastic – though if you turn the bass and subwoofer up too high I reckon it might feel too much like a nightclub. In the standard S5, you can also opt for additional speakers built into the front head restraints for $980, bringing the speaker count to 20. I didn't spend much time with the passenger display because I drove by myself at the event, but a quick play with the screen reveals it's much like the available passenger displays in Porsche products, in that it basically acts as a secondary infotainment unit for the person riding shotgun, and has a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver when the vehicle is in motion. The general feeling of quality is pretty good, with a good mix of soft-touch and textured materials dotted throughout the cabin. Being the flagship, the S5 gets lovely contrast stitch detailing for the extended leather and leatherette-clad upholstery extended pretty much everywhere, pairing nicely with the beautifully supportive fine Nappa leather-trimmed sports seats with diamond quilting. Being a wagon, you'd expect decent levels of practicality in the S5 Avant too. There's good space for four adults, though the protruding rear centre console and raised centre seat cushion mean a full-size fifth passenger might only be a good idea on the odd occasion. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert It can all feel quite closed in if you choose the standard black interior – I personally would be quickly rushing to tick the red interior option box – and while the rear windows are decent in size, the rising shoulder line restricts outward visibility for shorter passengers. Forward visibility is also obstructed by those chunky front seatbacks with integrated head restraints, which is something to consider if your children are prone to motion sickness, and also makes it hard for adult passengers to see out. That said, you can really open up the cabin with the available panoramic glass roof, though you need to pay $4990 for the privilege. The optional roof also comes with what Audi calls 'switchable transparency', basically utilising similar tech to the Porsche Taycan whereby a liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass panels can be turned clear or opaque using electricity. That may all sound a little naff to you, but it removes the need for a conventional shade, which opens up more headroom while in theory offering similar if not better insulation from heat and UV rays. Rear climate controls and USB-C charge ports add to the back-seat amenity, and there are your requisite ISOFIX and top-tether anchors for child seats should you need them. Fun fact? The rear USB-C ports can output 100W to charge larger devices like laptops should you need the extra juice, too. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert You might expect the S5 Avant to have a vastly larger and more practical boot than the S5 Sedan, but it's actually not all that much larger. Audi quotes 448 litres with the rear seats in place and 1396 litres with the second row folded, which is not a huge difference to the Sedan's 417-1271L. That's because the A5/S5 Sedan is actually a liftback, giving it a much larger opening than a conventional sedan with bootlid, and basically giving you the choice of two hatchback designs. Still, I'd go the Avant every time. As is seemingly customary in most premium products these days, particularly European ones, there is no spare tyre – just a repair kit. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool At launch, just the 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 270kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engines are available, the latter with Audi's new MHEV plus 48V mild-hybrid system. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Overseas, there are also MHEV plus-equipped TFSI petrol and TDI diesel variants, and Audi's local product team has left the door open to offering more mild-hybrids here, though it hasn't confirmed when we might see them. Speaking of, the MHEV plus tech is effectively an extended 48V mild-hybrid system that can drive in EV mode unassisted at low speeds, like when crawling in traffic or rolling in carparks. Audi says official combined-cycle testing shows the system can save 0.74L/100km of fuel – likely more in stop-start traffic than in the real world. The system consists of an 18kW motor/generator mounted to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Audi claims its MHEV plus tech boosts performance and cuts turbo lag, in addition to the fuel savings that result from this. Following the initial launch, Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the TFSI 200kW quattro and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants, both of which will be available in sedan and wagon body styles. The latter is the first plug-in hybrid Audi in the mid-size passenger car segment, and claims to offer just under 90km of WLTP-certified driving range while being about half a second slower from 0-100km/h than the hi-po S5. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Victorian-based launch drive program took us from Melbourne Airport and up Mount Macedon north-west of the Victorian capital, then to the regional town of Trentham before returning back to the airport. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Above: S5 Avant Not only did this drive program have a good mix of road and traffic conditions, but we got a typically Victorian mix of weather conditions too – including rain and light snow. Having started the event in a base-spec A5 Sedan 150kW (more on that in a dedicated review soon), the full-fat S5 Avant I drove next definitely had its own distinct personality and sound by comparison. The petrol V6 has a brassy muted growl which sounds quite purposeful when tested back to back with the standard A5's 2.0-litre four-pot, and the substantial increased in grunt as well as quattro all-wheel drive make it quite a lot faster. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, which is seriously quick in anyone's money for a family car. But it actually feels quicker when rolling, steaming along with very responsive acceleration and a meaty mid-range punch that just shoves you along. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert The S5's maximum torque of 550Nm is available from just 1700rpm, but the extra boost from the mild-hybrid system means you don't really get that sensation of turbo lag on initial throttle input thanks to the immediacy of torque from the electrified tech. Audi's quattro AWD system offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, and the standard quattro sport differential on the rear axle additionally shuffles drive to the rear wheel with the most grip to provide even more rear-end traction in addition to the rear-biased torque split. It makes for some pretty silly fun on twisty B-roads like those we encountered on the launch drive. In addition to the addictive acceleration and response, the S5 is a pretty capable handler with quick steering and heaps of grip as mentioned earlier. While the steering in typical Audi fashion could do with a little more weight and feedback, the S5 Avant is a pretty rad grand tourer that is very eager to eat up any back road. The V6's lovely brassy tone makes itself well known at full noise and as the revs rise, though it's not as sonorous as some might like. Blame ever-stricter European emissions and noise regulations that continue to strangle powertrains like this, but you do get little burbles and cracks at the limit. The S5 does pump real engine noise into the cabin via the speakers to compensate and, while it's much better than the fake sounds used by other brands, you may still be left wanting for some fuller sounds. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Above: S5 Avant edition one Should you want to take more control, you can shift gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, though the S5 has a habit of shifting up for you if you are about to hit the rev-limiter. The adjustable damping does change up noticeably enough when playing around with the Audi drive select modes too. Even in its dynamic mode, the S5 is far from uncomfortable. Some may be tempted to always drive in this setting with the transmission left in D (rather than S) to get the most direct steering feel and fullest engine sound. Insulation from road and wind noise is also impressive given the S5's more athletic bent and its performance-focused tyres. Only on the roughest patches of bitumen did the Pirelli P Zero tyres drum up a bit of road roar, but it was still pretty well suppressed. The MHEV plus system also really puts itself to work when you're not in dynamic mode. When coasting or coming to a stop, the 48V system will constantly shut the engine off to save fuel, and at lower speeds will also do its best to stay in EV mode as you roll along. We still didn't manage to get under fuel consumption of 10L/100km during our pretty spirited stints behind the wheel of the S5 Avant, but I imagine in more realistic daily driving conditions like peak-hour commuting and the school run, this will help add a few kilometres per litre compared to a non MHEV-assisted powertrain. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert I had a shorter drive in the S5 Avant edition one back-to-back with the full-fat S5 Avant as well, to see if the more purist spec provided a significantly different experience to go with its $15,000 lower price tag – yep, that much. You get the same thumping V6 TFSI drivetrain but without the adaptive chassis tech, as well as fewer luxuries in the cabin, but really if your focus is the driving experience the edition one could be seen as an incredible bargain. The smaller alloy wheels help to compensate for the lack of adaptive damping, with a well-sorted ride that errs closer to the firmer setting of the flagship model but does incredibly well to iron out the lumps and bumps of country roads, while also communicating the surface in a way that an S buyer would want. If anything, it's a more focused experience, which is what Audi's product planners were aiming for. Should you be looking into the S5, I'd strongly suggest considering the edition one if you're not hell bent on having every option. Finally, the assistance systems. The S5 (and the wider A5 lineup) comes standard with most things you'd expect, like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras, but like the Q6 e-tron SUV, active lane centring is not fitted for the time being. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Audi Australia says it should come with a running change at the factory later this year, bringing semi-autonomous driving abilities to its premium mid-sizer. The more advanced lane-keeping system is currently being tailored to Australian road conditions including our unique lane markings, for example, and will likely be retrofittable by dealers in vehicles if the hardware has already been included at the factory. It's perhaps the only real kink in the S5's driver assistance armour, given Audi's active safety technologies are all well calibrated and pretty user-friendly in practice. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Three distinct trim levels are available at launch, including the S5 edition one that is more of a pared-back 'purist' variant. It will be effectively replaced by the TFSI 200kW and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants later this year. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Above: A5 sedan 2025 Audi A5 TFSI 150kW equipment mhighlights: 19-inch alloy wheels S line exterior Matrix LED headlights Convenience key – keyless entry Projection light in exterior mirrors Electric tailgate with gesture control Digital key 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus Audi sound system Audi connect plus Audi smartphone interface DAB radio Audi phone box light – wireless phone charger USB-C charge points – front, rear Sport front seats with integrated headrests Leather/leatherette upholstery Wraparound interior elements – leatherette Tri-zone climate control Electric front seats Heated front seats Colour ambient lighting A5 TFSI 200kW quattro adds: 19-inch alloy wheels – different design S line interior Sport front seats incl. S embossing Door sill trims with aluminium inlays Inlays in brushed aluminium with linear embossing Sport leather steering wheel – 3-spoke, flat top/bottom Stainless steel pedals Black headlining Roof rails – Avant A5 e-hybrid 270kW quattro adds: 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels Sport suspension Red brake calipers Black exterior styling package Black roof rails – Avant Privacy glass Auxiliary air conditioning AC charging port 11kW AC 3-phase charging 240V 3-pin. Australian standard plug 230V 32-amp CEE industrial plug Type 2 charging cable for public charging Wall bracket for mounting of charger 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Above: S5 Avant 2025 Audi S5 edition one equipment highlights: 19-inch alloy wheels – black S exterior styling S sports suspension Red brake calipers Black exterior styling package Black roof rails – Avant Dinamica microfibre/leather upholstery with S embossing Wraparound interior elements in Dinamica microfibre Headlining in black Door sill trims with aluminium inlays Pedals in stainless steel Sport leather steering wheel – 3-spoke, S emblem S5 adds: S design 20-inch alloy wheels S exterior aluminium styling Aluminium roof rails – Avant S sport suspension incl. adjustable damping Digital OLED tail-lights Fine Nappa leather upholstery Seats with illuminated S emblem Heated front, rear seats Heated steering wheel Ventilated front seats Massaging front seats Electric steering column adjustment Colour ambient lighting incl. dynamic interaction light strip Head-up display 100W USB-C charge ports Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound MMI front passenger touchscreen display To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The S5 is available with selected options depending on the variant. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert MMI pro package: $6000 (S5 edition one) Head-up display High-powered USB charge ports – rear Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system Single-item options include: Ascari blue metallic paint: $2100 Audi exclusive individual paint – S5: $9700 Black exterior styling package – S5: $2490 Rear privacy glass – S5 edition one: $1100 Panoramic glass roof with switchable transparency: $4990 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display – S5 edition one: $1950 To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Audi A5 and S5 have yet to be tested by ANCAP, though the A5 did receive a five-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Standard safety equipment across the range includes: Adaptive cruise control with stop/go Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection Blind-spot monitoring Driver attention monitoring Front cross-traffic assist Lane-keep assist Front and rear turn assist Rear cross-traffic assist Swerve assist Vehicle exit warning Surround-view camera Front and rear parking sensors Front, side and curtain airbags To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The A5 and S5 range is covered by Audi Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, too. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new S5 Avant is a lovely luxury family express, and makes a pretty good case for itself alongside rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Regardless if you go for the value-driven edition one or the full-house flagship, the S5 offers serious straight-line performance and strong dynamic capabilities, backed by swathes of luxury, tech and everyday practicality. The new Android-based infotainment setup, at least in this reviewer's opinion, perhaps isn't as polished as the old interface from launch, but it has the ability to be improved and refined as time goes on. And the omission of lane centring technology from launch is disappointing – though this will also be addressed moving forward, and I'm sure not everyone will want it anyway. Long-time Audi fans may also lament the move to a more touchscreen-heavy and buttonless interior layout, though in the current landscape I'd still argue the four-ringed marque's approach is no worse than its rivals. 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Audi is also showing its commitment to the everyday performance wagon. BMW only offers the lesser 330i Touring or high-po M3 Touring, while Mercedes-Benz no longer offers any C-Class Estate in Australia – AMG or not. In today's market that's something to be commended, as is the confirmation of two more Avant variants coming soon. For around $100,000, the S5 edition one is pretty good value for money, and doesn't really miss out on anything we'd consider must-haves. So I suggest you choose that and pocket the $15,000 for another family treat. Oh, and #SaveTheWagon! 2025 Audi S5 Avant Credit: CarExpert Interested in buying an Audi S5? Let CarExpert find you the best deal here MORE: Explore the Audi S5 showroom #SaveTheWagon! It's properly quick Sharply priced edition one Some tech quibbles and omissions Avant not much bigger than sedan Some expensive options and packs
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
2025 Audi S5 Avant review
Audi S5 Pros Audi S5 Cons The Audi A4 has been a staple of the German luxury marque's lineup since 1994, but it's dead… for now. Yes, the long-running A4 nameplate was culled in Audi's recent lineup shuffle, which makes all-electric model names even-numbered and combustion- and hybrid-powered nameplates odd-numbered. It has since backtracked, but the mid-size passenger slot had already been renewed and revealed before Audi could bring back the A4 badge. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 and S5 sedan and wagon (Avant) , which effectively combine both the old A4 and A5 ranges into one lineup. The new model is larger in just about every dimension compared to its A4 and A5 predecessors, and brings the brand's latest tech to the table. From launch, the non-performance A5 is sedan-only, with the high-performance S5 available in two variations as well as sedan and Avant body styles. The new A5/S5 family is the first model to bring Audi's new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) to Australia, with the related Q5 mid-size SUV up next. The S5 also debuts Audi's new mild-hybrid 'plus' system in Australia, extending the regular fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid tech by allowing the vehicle to roll around at low speeds in EV mode and reducing combined fuel consumption by up to 0.74L/100km. It's no secret that passenger car sales are down, and the A5/S5 is up against stiff competition in the premium mid-size car category, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. Further, you could argue the Avant in particular is trying to make a case for not buying an SUV, even if the incoming Q5 will prove to be in-house competition. To find out whether Audi's new mid-sizer is worth a look, we attended the Australian media launch in Victoria for our first local drive. We'll touch on the wider launch range in this review, but focus is on the high-output S5 models. What? A new car that's cheaper than its predecessor? Madness in 2025… The Audi S5′ edition one' is something of a 'purist' specification that does without some of the creature comforts for a $15,000 discount over the full-fat S5s, and also well undercuts the outgoing S4. Even the regular S5 is only a couple grand more than the ageing S4 it replaces, while offering more power, performance and standard specification. While the headline act for the standard A5's price and specs is that the entry point rises substantially, spec-for-spec the 150kW A5 Sedan is more powerful and better equipped than the old A4 35 TFSI S line (110kW), and cheaper than the old A4 45 TFSI quattro (180kW) while offering more standard specification. Later this year, Audi will add four new variants in the form of the 200kW TFSI quattro and 270kW e-hybrid quattro, in both Sedan and Avant body styles. The limited-run edition one is expected to be out of stock by then – more details further down. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new A5 and S5 usher in a new generation of interiors for Audi, laden with bright and sharp OLED screens just about everywhere and moving away from the more classic, conventional layout of old. The new 'digital stage' interior layout is in full effect in the cabin of the flagship S5, with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus (digital instrument cluster) and 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus infotainment touchscreen bolstered by an additional 10.9-inch passenger-side multimedia touchscreen. Compared to Audi's pared-back, fairly traditional cockpits of old, the new layout and interface can be a little daunting, even jarring. There's a lot of piano black in the bezels of the curved housing of the main driver displays, as well as the centre console, too. The interface is now powered by Android, which explains the smartphone-like widgets and app drawer. Audi says the software is fully tailored to the brand, and allows the installation of a wider set of in-car apps via the Audi Application Store as well as over-the-air software updates. While it's generally fairly usable and definitely not as fiddly as some other touch control-heavy interiors within the Volkswagen Group, the A5/S5's infotainment interface feels less conventional and less user-friendly than the previous generation of MMI. The displays offer beautiful clarity, brightness and graphics, though the widget-based menu structure isn't as clean as the tiled system it replaces and you will need to spend a bit more time learning where everything is. Unfortunately, Audi has also moved the A5 to touch-based climate controls, housed in a permanent virtual toolbar at the base of the central display. These aren't as user-friendly as even the clicky touch controls in larger vehicles like the Q7 and Q8, and feel like a step back. The toolbar is small relative to the available display real estate, as are the virtual buttons, meaning any quick changes while on the move require your eyes to be averted from the road and often result in a press of the neighbouring button or pressing it one too many times. I'm also not a big fan of the new multifunction steering wheel controls, which feel like a halfway house between Audi's old tactile physical buttons and the more fiddly touch-capacitive controls used in other VW Group models. They're not bad, but they're not great, either. Be prepared to have a microfibre cloth always at the ready too, because the glossy finish of the display and the swathes of piano black trim are a nightmare for fingerprints and smudges. But it's not all bad, I promise. Quick load times and gorgeously bright colours make these displays beautiful to look at, and while I miss the beautiful simplicity of the old Audi virtual cockpit layout, the new one with its central dial and adjustable side widgets make me feel like I'm wearing Iron Man's helmet. As you'd expect, the S5's infotainment fitout comes fully equipped with connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, as well as native navigation with online mapping. The S5 (optional in the edition one) also comes as standard with a thumping 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. At full blast this immersive in-car sound experience is fantastic – though if you turn the bass and subwoofer up too high I reckon it might feel too much like a nightclub. In the standard S5, you can also opt for additional speakers built into the front head restraints for $980, bringing the speaker count to 20. I didn't spend much time with the passenger display because I drove by myself at the event, but a quick play with the screen reveals it's much like the available passenger displays in Porsche products, in that it basically acts as a secondary infotainment unit for the person riding shotgun, and has a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver when the vehicle is in motion. The general feeling of quality is pretty good, with a good mix of soft-touch and textured materials dotted throughout the cabin. Being the flagship, the S5 gets lovely contrast stitch detailing for the extended leather and leatherette-clad upholstery extended pretty much everywhere, pairing nicely with the beautifully supportive fine Nappa leather-trimmed sports seats with diamond quilting. Being a wagon, you'd expect decent levels of practicality in the S5 Avant too. There's good space for four adults, though the protruding rear centre console and raised centre seat cushion mean a full-size fifth passenger might only be a good idea on the odd occasion. It can all feel quite closed in if you choose the standard black interior – I personally would be quickly rushing to tick the red interior option box – and while the rear windows are decent in size, the rising shoulder line restricts outward visibility for shorter passengers. Forward visibility is also obstructed by those chunky front seatbacks with integrated head restraints, which is something to consider if your children are prone to motion sickness, and also makes it hard for adult passengers to see out. That said, you can really open up the cabin with the available panoramic glass roof, though you need to pay $4990 for the privilege. The optional roof also comes with what Audi calls 'switchable transparency', basically utilising similar tech to the Porsche Taycan whereby a liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass panels can be turned clear or opaque using electricity. That may all sound a little naff to you, but it removes the need for a conventional shade, which opens up more headroom while in theory offering similar if not better insulation from heat and UV rays. Rear climate controls and USB-C charge ports add to the back-seat amenity, and there are your requisite ISOFIX and top-tether anchors for child seats should you need them. Fun fact? The rear USB-C ports can output 100W to charge larger devices like laptops should you need the extra juice, too. You might expect the S5 Avant to have a vastly larger and more practical boot than the S5 Sedan, but it's actually not all that much larger. Audi quotes 448 litres with the rear seats in place and 1396 litres with the second row folded, which is not a huge difference to the Sedan's 417-1271L. That's because the A5/S5 Sedan is actually a liftback, giving it a much larger opening than a conventional sedan with bootlid, and basically giving you the choice of two hatchback designs. Still, I'd go the Avant every time. As is seemingly customary in most premium products these days, particularly European ones, there is no spare tyre – just a repair kit. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool At launch, just the 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 270kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engines are available, the latter with Audi's new MHEV plus 48V mild-hybrid system. Overseas, there are also MHEV plus-equipped TFSI petrol and TDI diesel variants, and Audi's local product team has left the door open to offering more mild-hybrids here, though it hasn't confirmed when we might see them. Speaking of, the MHEV plus tech is effectively an extended 48V mild-hybrid system that can drive in EV mode unassisted at low speeds, like when crawling in traffic or rolling in carparks. Audi says official combined-cycle testing shows the system can save 0.74L/100km of fuel – likely more in stop-start traffic than in the real world. The system consists of an 18kW motor/generator mounted to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Audi claims its MHEV plus tech boosts performance and cuts turbo lag, in addition to the fuel savings that result from this. Following the initial launch, Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the TFSI 200kW quattro and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants, both of which will be available in sedan and wagon body styles. The latter is the first plug-in hybrid Audi in the mid-size passenger car segment, and claims to offer just under 90km of WLTP-certified driving range while being about half a second slower from 0-100km/h than the hi-po S5. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Victorian-based launch drive program took us from Melbourne Airport and up Mount Macedon north-west of the Victorian capital, then to the regional town of Trentham before returning back to the airport. Above: S5 Avant Not only did this drive program have a good mix of road and traffic conditions, but we got a typically Victorian mix of weather conditions too – including rain and light snow. Having started the event in a base-spec A5 Sedan 150kW (more on that in a dedicated review soon), the full-fat S5 Avant I drove next definitely had its own distinct personality and sound by comparison. The petrol V6 has a brassy muted growl which sounds quite purposeful when tested back to back with the standard A5's 2.0-litre four-pot, and the substantial increased in grunt as well as quattro all-wheel drive make it quite a lot faster. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, which is seriously quick in anyone's money for a family car. But it actually feels quicker when rolling, steaming along with very responsive acceleration and a meaty mid-range punch that just shoves you along. The S5's maximum torque of 550Nm is available from just 1700rpm, but the extra boost from the mild-hybrid system means you don't really get that sensation of turbo lag on initial throttle input thanks to the immediacy of torque from the electrified tech. Audi's quattro AWD system offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, and the standard quattro sport differential on the rear axle additionally shuffles drive to the rear wheel with the most grip to provide even more rear-end traction in addition to the rear-biased torque split. It makes for some pretty silly fun on twisty B-roads like those we encountered on the launch drive. In addition to the addictive acceleration and response, the S5 is a pretty capable handler with quick steering and heaps of grip as mentioned earlier. While the steering in typical Audi fashion could do with a little more weight and feedback, the S5 Avant is a pretty rad grand tourer that is very eager to eat up any back road. The V6's lovely brassy tone makes itself well known at full noise and as the revs rise, though it's not as sonorous as some might like. Blame ever-stricter European emissions and noise regulations that continue to strangle powertrains like this, but you do get little burbles and cracks at the limit. The S5 does pump real engine noise into the cabin via the speakers to compensate and, while it's much better than the fake sounds used by other brands, you may still be left wanting for some fuller sounds. Above: S5 Avant edition one Should you want to take more control, you can shift gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, though the S5 has a habit of shifting up for you if you are about to hit the rev-limiter. The adjustable damping does change up noticeably enough when playing around with the Audi drive select modes too. Even in its dynamic mode, the S5 is far from uncomfortable. Some may be tempted to always drive in this setting with the transmission left in D (rather than S) to get the most direct steering feel and fullest engine sound. Insulation from road and wind noise is also impressive given the S5's more athletic bent and its performance-focused tyres. Only on the roughest patches of bitumen did the Pirelli P Zero tyres drum up a bit of road roar, but it was still pretty well suppressed. The MHEV plus system also really puts itself to work when you're not in dynamic mode. When coasting or coming to a stop, the 48V system will constantly shut the engine off to save fuel, and at lower speeds will also do its best to stay in EV mode as you roll along. We still didn't manage to get under fuel consumption of 10L/100km during our pretty spirited stints behind the wheel of the S5 Avant, but I imagine in more realistic daily driving conditions like peak-hour commuting and the school run, this will help add a few kilometres per litre compared to a non MHEV-assisted powertrain. I had a shorter drive in the S5 Avant edition one back-to-back with the full-fat S5 Avant as well, to see if the more purist spec provided a significantly different experience to go with its $15,000 lower price tag – yep, that much. You get the same thumping V6 TFSI drivetrain but without the adaptive chassis tech, as well as fewer luxuries in the cabin, but really if your focus is the driving experience the edition one could be seen as an incredible bargain. The smaller alloy wheels help to compensate for the lack of adaptive damping, with a well-sorted ride that errs closer to the firmer setting of the flagship model but does incredibly well to iron out the lumps and bumps of country roads, while also communicating the surface in a way that an S buyer would want. If anything, it's a more focused experience, which is what Audi's product planners were aiming for. Should you be looking into the S5, I'd strongly suggest considering the edition one if you're not hell bent on having every option. Finally, the assistance systems. The S5 (and the wider A5 lineup) comes standard with most things you'd expect, like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras, but like the Q6 e-tron SUV, active lane centring is not fitted for the time being. Audi Australia says it should come with a running change at the factory later this year, bringing semi-autonomous driving abilities to its premium mid-sizer. The more advanced lane-keeping system is currently being tailored to Australian road conditions including our unique lane markings, for example, and will likely be retrofittable by dealers in vehicles if the hardware has already been included at the factory. It's perhaps the only real kink in the S5's driver assistance armour, given Audi's active safety technologies are all well calibrated and pretty user-friendly in practice. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Three distinct trim levels are available at launch, including the S5 edition one that is more of a pared-back 'purist' variant. It will be effectively replaced by the TFSI 200kW and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants later this year. Above: A5 sedan 2025 Audi A5 TFSI 150kW equipment mhighlights: A5 TFSI 200kW quattro adds: A5 e-hybrid 270kW quattro adds: Above: S5 Avant 2025 Audi S5 edition one equipment highlights: S5 adds: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The S5 is available with selected options depending on the variant. MMI pro package: $6000 (S5 edition one) Single-item options include: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Audi A5 and S5 have yet to be tested by ANCAP, though the A5 did receive a five-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The A5 and S5 range is covered by Audi Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, too. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new S5 Avant is a lovely luxury family express, and makes a pretty good case for itself alongside rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Regardless if you go for the value-driven edition one or the full-house flagship, the S5 offers serious straight-line performance and strong dynamic capabilities, backed by swathes of luxury, tech and everyday practicality. The new Android-based infotainment setup, at least in this reviewer's opinion, perhaps isn't as polished as the old interface from launch, but it has the ability to be improved and refined as time goes on. And the omission of lane centring technology from launch is disappointing – though this will also be addressed moving forward, and I'm sure not everyone will want it anyway. Long-time Audi fans may also lament the move to a more touchscreen-heavy and buttonless interior layout, though in the current landscape I'd still argue the four-ringed marque's approach is no worse than its rivals. Audi is also showing its commitment to the everyday performance wagon. BMW only offers the lesser 330i Touring or high-po M3 Touring, while Mercedes-Benz no longer offers any C-Class Estate in Australia – AMG or not. In today's market that's something to be commended, as is the confirmation of two more Avant variants coming soon. For around $100,000, the S5 edition one is pretty good value for money, and doesn't really miss out on anything we'd consider must-haves. So I suggest you choose that and pocket the $15,000 for another family treat. Oh, and #SaveTheWagon! Interested in buying an Audi S5? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Audi S5 showroom Content originally sourced from: S5 Pros Audi S5 Cons The Audi A4 has been a staple of the German luxury marque's lineup since 1994, but it's dead… for now. Yes, the long-running A4 nameplate was culled in Audi's recent lineup shuffle, which makes all-electric model names even-numbered and combustion- and hybrid-powered nameplates odd-numbered. It has since backtracked, but the mid-size passenger slot had already been renewed and revealed before Audi could bring back the A4 badge. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 and S5 sedan and wagon (Avant) , which effectively combine both the old A4 and A5 ranges into one lineup. The new model is larger in just about every dimension compared to its A4 and A5 predecessors, and brings the brand's latest tech to the table. From launch, the non-performance A5 is sedan-only, with the high-performance S5 available in two variations as well as sedan and Avant body styles. The new A5/S5 family is the first model to bring Audi's new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) to Australia, with the related Q5 mid-size SUV up next. The S5 also debuts Audi's new mild-hybrid 'plus' system in Australia, extending the regular fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid tech by allowing the vehicle to roll around at low speeds in EV mode and reducing combined fuel consumption by up to 0.74L/100km. It's no secret that passenger car sales are down, and the A5/S5 is up against stiff competition in the premium mid-size car category, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. Further, you could argue the Avant in particular is trying to make a case for not buying an SUV, even if the incoming Q5 will prove to be in-house competition. To find out whether Audi's new mid-sizer is worth a look, we attended the Australian media launch in Victoria for our first local drive. We'll touch on the wider launch range in this review, but focus is on the high-output S5 models. What? A new car that's cheaper than its predecessor? Madness in 2025… The Audi S5′ edition one' is something of a 'purist' specification that does without some of the creature comforts for a $15,000 discount over the full-fat S5s, and also well undercuts the outgoing S4. Even the regular S5 is only a couple grand more than the ageing S4 it replaces, while offering more power, performance and standard specification. While the headline act for the standard A5's price and specs is that the entry point rises substantially, spec-for-spec the 150kW A5 Sedan is more powerful and better equipped than the old A4 35 TFSI S line (110kW), and cheaper than the old A4 45 TFSI quattro (180kW) while offering more standard specification. Later this year, Audi will add four new variants in the form of the 200kW TFSI quattro and 270kW e-hybrid quattro, in both Sedan and Avant body styles. The limited-run edition one is expected to be out of stock by then – more details further down. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new A5 and S5 usher in a new generation of interiors for Audi, laden with bright and sharp OLED screens just about everywhere and moving away from the more classic, conventional layout of old. The new 'digital stage' interior layout is in full effect in the cabin of the flagship S5, with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus (digital instrument cluster) and 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus infotainment touchscreen bolstered by an additional 10.9-inch passenger-side multimedia touchscreen. Compared to Audi's pared-back, fairly traditional cockpits of old, the new layout and interface can be a little daunting, even jarring. There's a lot of piano black in the bezels of the curved housing of the main driver displays, as well as the centre console, too. The interface is now powered by Android, which explains the smartphone-like widgets and app drawer. Audi says the software is fully tailored to the brand, and allows the installation of a wider set of in-car apps via the Audi Application Store as well as over-the-air software updates. While it's generally fairly usable and definitely not as fiddly as some other touch control-heavy interiors within the Volkswagen Group, the A5/S5's infotainment interface feels less conventional and less user-friendly than the previous generation of MMI. The displays offer beautiful clarity, brightness and graphics, though the widget-based menu structure isn't as clean as the tiled system it replaces and you will need to spend a bit more time learning where everything is. Unfortunately, Audi has also moved the A5 to touch-based climate controls, housed in a permanent virtual toolbar at the base of the central display. These aren't as user-friendly as even the clicky touch controls in larger vehicles like the Q7 and Q8, and feel like a step back. The toolbar is small relative to the available display real estate, as are the virtual buttons, meaning any quick changes while on the move require your eyes to be averted from the road and often result in a press of the neighbouring button or pressing it one too many times. I'm also not a big fan of the new multifunction steering wheel controls, which feel like a halfway house between Audi's old tactile physical buttons and the more fiddly touch-capacitive controls used in other VW Group models. They're not bad, but they're not great, either. Be prepared to have a microfibre cloth always at the ready too, because the glossy finish of the display and the swathes of piano black trim are a nightmare for fingerprints and smudges. But it's not all bad, I promise. Quick load times and gorgeously bright colours make these displays beautiful to look at, and while I miss the beautiful simplicity of the old Audi virtual cockpit layout, the new one with its central dial and adjustable side widgets make me feel like I'm wearing Iron Man's helmet. As you'd expect, the S5's infotainment fitout comes fully equipped with connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, as well as native navigation with online mapping. The S5 (optional in the edition one) also comes as standard with a thumping 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. At full blast this immersive in-car sound experience is fantastic – though if you turn the bass and subwoofer up too high I reckon it might feel too much like a nightclub. In the standard S5, you can also opt for additional speakers built into the front head restraints for $980, bringing the speaker count to 20. I didn't spend much time with the passenger display because I drove by myself at the event, but a quick play with the screen reveals it's much like the available passenger displays in Porsche products, in that it basically acts as a secondary infotainment unit for the person riding shotgun, and has a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver when the vehicle is in motion. The general feeling of quality is pretty good, with a good mix of soft-touch and textured materials dotted throughout the cabin. Being the flagship, the S5 gets lovely contrast stitch detailing for the extended leather and leatherette-clad upholstery extended pretty much everywhere, pairing nicely with the beautifully supportive fine Nappa leather-trimmed sports seats with diamond quilting. Being a wagon, you'd expect decent levels of practicality in the S5 Avant too. There's good space for four adults, though the protruding rear centre console and raised centre seat cushion mean a full-size fifth passenger might only be a good idea on the odd occasion. It can all feel quite closed in if you choose the standard black interior – I personally would be quickly rushing to tick the red interior option box – and while the rear windows are decent in size, the rising shoulder line restricts outward visibility for shorter passengers. Forward visibility is also obstructed by those chunky front seatbacks with integrated head restraints, which is something to consider if your children are prone to motion sickness, and also makes it hard for adult passengers to see out. That said, you can really open up the cabin with the available panoramic glass roof, though you need to pay $4990 for the privilege. The optional roof also comes with what Audi calls 'switchable transparency', basically utilising similar tech to the Porsche Taycan whereby a liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass panels can be turned clear or opaque using electricity. That may all sound a little naff to you, but it removes the need for a conventional shade, which opens up more headroom while in theory offering similar if not better insulation from heat and UV rays. Rear climate controls and USB-C charge ports add to the back-seat amenity, and there are your requisite ISOFIX and top-tether anchors for child seats should you need them. Fun fact? The rear USB-C ports can output 100W to charge larger devices like laptops should you need the extra juice, too. You might expect the S5 Avant to have a vastly larger and more practical boot than the S5 Sedan, but it's actually not all that much larger. Audi quotes 448 litres with the rear seats in place and 1396 litres with the second row folded, which is not a huge difference to the Sedan's 417-1271L. That's because the A5/S5 Sedan is actually a liftback, giving it a much larger opening than a conventional sedan with bootlid, and basically giving you the choice of two hatchback designs. Still, I'd go the Avant every time. As is seemingly customary in most premium products these days, particularly European ones, there is no spare tyre – just a repair kit. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool At launch, just the 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 270kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engines are available, the latter with Audi's new MHEV plus 48V mild-hybrid system. Overseas, there are also MHEV plus-equipped TFSI petrol and TDI diesel variants, and Audi's local product team has left the door open to offering more mild-hybrids here, though it hasn't confirmed when we might see them. Speaking of, the MHEV plus tech is effectively an extended 48V mild-hybrid system that can drive in EV mode unassisted at low speeds, like when crawling in traffic or rolling in carparks. Audi says official combined-cycle testing shows the system can save 0.74L/100km of fuel – likely more in stop-start traffic than in the real world. The system consists of an 18kW motor/generator mounted to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Audi claims its MHEV plus tech boosts performance and cuts turbo lag, in addition to the fuel savings that result from this. Following the initial launch, Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the TFSI 200kW quattro and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants, both of which will be available in sedan and wagon body styles. The latter is the first plug-in hybrid Audi in the mid-size passenger car segment, and claims to offer just under 90km of WLTP-certified driving range while being about half a second slower from 0-100km/h than the hi-po S5. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Victorian-based launch drive program took us from Melbourne Airport and up Mount Macedon north-west of the Victorian capital, then to the regional town of Trentham before returning back to the airport. Above: S5 Avant Not only did this drive program have a good mix of road and traffic conditions, but we got a typically Victorian mix of weather conditions too – including rain and light snow. Having started the event in a base-spec A5 Sedan 150kW (more on that in a dedicated review soon), the full-fat S5 Avant I drove next definitely had its own distinct personality and sound by comparison. The petrol V6 has a brassy muted growl which sounds quite purposeful when tested back to back with the standard A5's 2.0-litre four-pot, and the substantial increased in grunt as well as quattro all-wheel drive make it quite a lot faster. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, which is seriously quick in anyone's money for a family car. But it actually feels quicker when rolling, steaming along with very responsive acceleration and a meaty mid-range punch that just shoves you along. The S5's maximum torque of 550Nm is available from just 1700rpm, but the extra boost from the mild-hybrid system means you don't really get that sensation of turbo lag on initial throttle input thanks to the immediacy of torque from the electrified tech. Audi's quattro AWD system offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, and the standard quattro sport differential on the rear axle additionally shuffles drive to the rear wheel with the most grip to provide even more rear-end traction in addition to the rear-biased torque split. It makes for some pretty silly fun on twisty B-roads like those we encountered on the launch drive. In addition to the addictive acceleration and response, the S5 is a pretty capable handler with quick steering and heaps of grip as mentioned earlier. While the steering in typical Audi fashion could do with a little more weight and feedback, the S5 Avant is a pretty rad grand tourer that is very eager to eat up any back road. The V6's lovely brassy tone makes itself well known at full noise and as the revs rise, though it's not as sonorous as some might like. Blame ever-stricter European emissions and noise regulations that continue to strangle powertrains like this, but you do get little burbles and cracks at the limit. The S5 does pump real engine noise into the cabin via the speakers to compensate and, while it's much better than the fake sounds used by other brands, you may still be left wanting for some fuller sounds. Above: S5 Avant edition one Should you want to take more control, you can shift gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, though the S5 has a habit of shifting up for you if you are about to hit the rev-limiter. The adjustable damping does change up noticeably enough when playing around with the Audi drive select modes too. Even in its dynamic mode, the S5 is far from uncomfortable. Some may be tempted to always drive in this setting with the transmission left in D (rather than S) to get the most direct steering feel and fullest engine sound. Insulation from road and wind noise is also impressive given the S5's more athletic bent and its performance-focused tyres. Only on the roughest patches of bitumen did the Pirelli P Zero tyres drum up a bit of road roar, but it was still pretty well suppressed. The MHEV plus system also really puts itself to work when you're not in dynamic mode. When coasting or coming to a stop, the 48V system will constantly shut the engine off to save fuel, and at lower speeds will also do its best to stay in EV mode as you roll along. We still didn't manage to get under fuel consumption of 10L/100km during our pretty spirited stints behind the wheel of the S5 Avant, but I imagine in more realistic daily driving conditions like peak-hour commuting and the school run, this will help add a few kilometres per litre compared to a non MHEV-assisted powertrain. I had a shorter drive in the S5 Avant edition one back-to-back with the full-fat S5 Avant as well, to see if the more purist spec provided a significantly different experience to go with its $15,000 lower price tag – yep, that much. You get the same thumping V6 TFSI drivetrain but without the adaptive chassis tech, as well as fewer luxuries in the cabin, but really if your focus is the driving experience the edition one could be seen as an incredible bargain. The smaller alloy wheels help to compensate for the lack of adaptive damping, with a well-sorted ride that errs closer to the firmer setting of the flagship model but does incredibly well to iron out the lumps and bumps of country roads, while also communicating the surface in a way that an S buyer would want. If anything, it's a more focused experience, which is what Audi's product planners were aiming for. Should you be looking into the S5, I'd strongly suggest considering the edition one if you're not hell bent on having every option. Finally, the assistance systems. The S5 (and the wider A5 lineup) comes standard with most things you'd expect, like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras, but like the Q6 e-tron SUV, active lane centring is not fitted for the time being. Audi Australia says it should come with a running change at the factory later this year, bringing semi-autonomous driving abilities to its premium mid-sizer. The more advanced lane-keeping system is currently being tailored to Australian road conditions including our unique lane markings, for example, and will likely be retrofittable by dealers in vehicles if the hardware has already been included at the factory. It's perhaps the only real kink in the S5's driver assistance armour, given Audi's active safety technologies are all well calibrated and pretty user-friendly in practice. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Three distinct trim levels are available at launch, including the S5 edition one that is more of a pared-back 'purist' variant. It will be effectively replaced by the TFSI 200kW and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants later this year. Above: A5 sedan 2025 Audi A5 TFSI 150kW equipment mhighlights: A5 TFSI 200kW quattro adds: A5 e-hybrid 270kW quattro adds: Above: S5 Avant 2025 Audi S5 edition one equipment highlights: S5 adds: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The S5 is available with selected options depending on the variant. MMI pro package: $6000 (S5 edition one) Single-item options include: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Audi A5 and S5 have yet to be tested by ANCAP, though the A5 did receive a five-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The A5 and S5 range is covered by Audi Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, too. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new S5 Avant is a lovely luxury family express, and makes a pretty good case for itself alongside rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Regardless if you go for the value-driven edition one or the full-house flagship, the S5 offers serious straight-line performance and strong dynamic capabilities, backed by swathes of luxury, tech and everyday practicality. The new Android-based infotainment setup, at least in this reviewer's opinion, perhaps isn't as polished as the old interface from launch, but it has the ability to be improved and refined as time goes on. And the omission of lane centring technology from launch is disappointing – though this will also be addressed moving forward, and I'm sure not everyone will want it anyway. Long-time Audi fans may also lament the move to a more touchscreen-heavy and buttonless interior layout, though in the current landscape I'd still argue the four-ringed marque's approach is no worse than its rivals. Audi is also showing its commitment to the everyday performance wagon. BMW only offers the lesser 330i Touring or high-po M3 Touring, while Mercedes-Benz no longer offers any C-Class Estate in Australia – AMG or not. In today's market that's something to be commended, as is the confirmation of two more Avant variants coming soon. For around $100,000, the S5 edition one is pretty good value for money, and doesn't really miss out on anything we'd consider must-haves. So I suggest you choose that and pocket the $15,000 for another family treat. Oh, and #SaveTheWagon! Interested in buying an Audi S5? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Audi S5 showroom Content originally sourced from: S5 Pros Audi S5 Cons The Audi A4 has been a staple of the German luxury marque's lineup since 1994, but it's dead… for now. Yes, the long-running A4 nameplate was culled in Audi's recent lineup shuffle, which makes all-electric model names even-numbered and combustion- and hybrid-powered nameplates odd-numbered. It has since backtracked, but the mid-size passenger slot had already been renewed and revealed before Audi could bring back the A4 badge. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 and S5 sedan and wagon (Avant) , which effectively combine both the old A4 and A5 ranges into one lineup. The new model is larger in just about every dimension compared to its A4 and A5 predecessors, and brings the brand's latest tech to the table. From launch, the non-performance A5 is sedan-only, with the high-performance S5 available in two variations as well as sedan and Avant body styles. The new A5/S5 family is the first model to bring Audi's new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) to Australia, with the related Q5 mid-size SUV up next. The S5 also debuts Audi's new mild-hybrid 'plus' system in Australia, extending the regular fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid tech by allowing the vehicle to roll around at low speeds in EV mode and reducing combined fuel consumption by up to 0.74L/100km. It's no secret that passenger car sales are down, and the A5/S5 is up against stiff competition in the premium mid-size car category, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. Further, you could argue the Avant in particular is trying to make a case for not buying an SUV, even if the incoming Q5 will prove to be in-house competition. To find out whether Audi's new mid-sizer is worth a look, we attended the Australian media launch in Victoria for our first local drive. We'll touch on the wider launch range in this review, but focus is on the high-output S5 models. What? A new car that's cheaper than its predecessor? Madness in 2025… The Audi S5′ edition one' is something of a 'purist' specification that does without some of the creature comforts for a $15,000 discount over the full-fat S5s, and also well undercuts the outgoing S4. Even the regular S5 is only a couple grand more than the ageing S4 it replaces, while offering more power, performance and standard specification. While the headline act for the standard A5's price and specs is that the entry point rises substantially, spec-for-spec the 150kW A5 Sedan is more powerful and better equipped than the old A4 35 TFSI S line (110kW), and cheaper than the old A4 45 TFSI quattro (180kW) while offering more standard specification. Later this year, Audi will add four new variants in the form of the 200kW TFSI quattro and 270kW e-hybrid quattro, in both Sedan and Avant body styles. The limited-run edition one is expected to be out of stock by then – more details further down. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new A5 and S5 usher in a new generation of interiors for Audi, laden with bright and sharp OLED screens just about everywhere and moving away from the more classic, conventional layout of old. The new 'digital stage' interior layout is in full effect in the cabin of the flagship S5, with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus (digital instrument cluster) and 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus infotainment touchscreen bolstered by an additional 10.9-inch passenger-side multimedia touchscreen. Compared to Audi's pared-back, fairly traditional cockpits of old, the new layout and interface can be a little daunting, even jarring. There's a lot of piano black in the bezels of the curved housing of the main driver displays, as well as the centre console, too. The interface is now powered by Android, which explains the smartphone-like widgets and app drawer. Audi says the software is fully tailored to the brand, and allows the installation of a wider set of in-car apps via the Audi Application Store as well as over-the-air software updates. While it's generally fairly usable and definitely not as fiddly as some other touch control-heavy interiors within the Volkswagen Group, the A5/S5's infotainment interface feels less conventional and less user-friendly than the previous generation of MMI. The displays offer beautiful clarity, brightness and graphics, though the widget-based menu structure isn't as clean as the tiled system it replaces and you will need to spend a bit more time learning where everything is. Unfortunately, Audi has also moved the A5 to touch-based climate controls, housed in a permanent virtual toolbar at the base of the central display. These aren't as user-friendly as even the clicky touch controls in larger vehicles like the Q7 and Q8, and feel like a step back. The toolbar is small relative to the available display real estate, as are the virtual buttons, meaning any quick changes while on the move require your eyes to be averted from the road and often result in a press of the neighbouring button or pressing it one too many times. I'm also not a big fan of the new multifunction steering wheel controls, which feel like a halfway house between Audi's old tactile physical buttons and the more fiddly touch-capacitive controls used in other VW Group models. They're not bad, but they're not great, either. Be prepared to have a microfibre cloth always at the ready too, because the glossy finish of the display and the swathes of piano black trim are a nightmare for fingerprints and smudges. But it's not all bad, I promise. Quick load times and gorgeously bright colours make these displays beautiful to look at, and while I miss the beautiful simplicity of the old Audi virtual cockpit layout, the new one with its central dial and adjustable side widgets make me feel like I'm wearing Iron Man's helmet. As you'd expect, the S5's infotainment fitout comes fully equipped with connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, as well as native navigation with online mapping. The S5 (optional in the edition one) also comes as standard with a thumping 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. At full blast this immersive in-car sound experience is fantastic – though if you turn the bass and subwoofer up too high I reckon it might feel too much like a nightclub. In the standard S5, you can also opt for additional speakers built into the front head restraints for $980, bringing the speaker count to 20. I didn't spend much time with the passenger display because I drove by myself at the event, but a quick play with the screen reveals it's much like the available passenger displays in Porsche products, in that it basically acts as a secondary infotainment unit for the person riding shotgun, and has a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver when the vehicle is in motion. The general feeling of quality is pretty good, with a good mix of soft-touch and textured materials dotted throughout the cabin. Being the flagship, the S5 gets lovely contrast stitch detailing for the extended leather and leatherette-clad upholstery extended pretty much everywhere, pairing nicely with the beautifully supportive fine Nappa leather-trimmed sports seats with diamond quilting. Being a wagon, you'd expect decent levels of practicality in the S5 Avant too. There's good space for four adults, though the protruding rear centre console and raised centre seat cushion mean a full-size fifth passenger might only be a good idea on the odd occasion. It can all feel quite closed in if you choose the standard black interior – I personally would be quickly rushing to tick the red interior option box – and while the rear windows are decent in size, the rising shoulder line restricts outward visibility for shorter passengers. Forward visibility is also obstructed by those chunky front seatbacks with integrated head restraints, which is something to consider if your children are prone to motion sickness, and also makes it hard for adult passengers to see out. That said, you can really open up the cabin with the available panoramic glass roof, though you need to pay $4990 for the privilege. The optional roof also comes with what Audi calls 'switchable transparency', basically utilising similar tech to the Porsche Taycan whereby a liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass panels can be turned clear or opaque using electricity. That may all sound a little naff to you, but it removes the need for a conventional shade, which opens up more headroom while in theory offering similar if not better insulation from heat and UV rays. Rear climate controls and USB-C charge ports add to the back-seat amenity, and there are your requisite ISOFIX and top-tether anchors for child seats should you need them. Fun fact? The rear USB-C ports can output 100W to charge larger devices like laptops should you need the extra juice, too. You might expect the S5 Avant to have a vastly larger and more practical boot than the S5 Sedan, but it's actually not all that much larger. Audi quotes 448 litres with the rear seats in place and 1396 litres with the second row folded, which is not a huge difference to the Sedan's 417-1271L. That's because the A5/S5 Sedan is actually a liftback, giving it a much larger opening than a conventional sedan with bootlid, and basically giving you the choice of two hatchback designs. Still, I'd go the Avant every time. As is seemingly customary in most premium products these days, particularly European ones, there is no spare tyre – just a repair kit. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool At launch, just the 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 270kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engines are available, the latter with Audi's new MHEV plus 48V mild-hybrid system. Overseas, there are also MHEV plus-equipped TFSI petrol and TDI diesel variants, and Audi's local product team has left the door open to offering more mild-hybrids here, though it hasn't confirmed when we might see them. Speaking of, the MHEV plus tech is effectively an extended 48V mild-hybrid system that can drive in EV mode unassisted at low speeds, like when crawling in traffic or rolling in carparks. Audi says official combined-cycle testing shows the system can save 0.74L/100km of fuel – likely more in stop-start traffic than in the real world. The system consists of an 18kW motor/generator mounted to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Audi claims its MHEV plus tech boosts performance and cuts turbo lag, in addition to the fuel savings that result from this. Following the initial launch, Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the TFSI 200kW quattro and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants, both of which will be available in sedan and wagon body styles. The latter is the first plug-in hybrid Audi in the mid-size passenger car segment, and claims to offer just under 90km of WLTP-certified driving range while being about half a second slower from 0-100km/h than the hi-po S5. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Victorian-based launch drive program took us from Melbourne Airport and up Mount Macedon north-west of the Victorian capital, then to the regional town of Trentham before returning back to the airport. Above: S5 Avant Not only did this drive program have a good mix of road and traffic conditions, but we got a typically Victorian mix of weather conditions too – including rain and light snow. Having started the event in a base-spec A5 Sedan 150kW (more on that in a dedicated review soon), the full-fat S5 Avant I drove next definitely had its own distinct personality and sound by comparison. The petrol V6 has a brassy muted growl which sounds quite purposeful when tested back to back with the standard A5's 2.0-litre four-pot, and the substantial increased in grunt as well as quattro all-wheel drive make it quite a lot faster. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, which is seriously quick in anyone's money for a family car. But it actually feels quicker when rolling, steaming along with very responsive acceleration and a meaty mid-range punch that just shoves you along. The S5's maximum torque of 550Nm is available from just 1700rpm, but the extra boost from the mild-hybrid system means you don't really get that sensation of turbo lag on initial throttle input thanks to the immediacy of torque from the electrified tech. Audi's quattro AWD system offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, and the standard quattro sport differential on the rear axle additionally shuffles drive to the rear wheel with the most grip to provide even more rear-end traction in addition to the rear-biased torque split. It makes for some pretty silly fun on twisty B-roads like those we encountered on the launch drive. In addition to the addictive acceleration and response, the S5 is a pretty capable handler with quick steering and heaps of grip as mentioned earlier. While the steering in typical Audi fashion could do with a little more weight and feedback, the S5 Avant is a pretty rad grand tourer that is very eager to eat up any back road. The V6's lovely brassy tone makes itself well known at full noise and as the revs rise, though it's not as sonorous as some might like. Blame ever-stricter European emissions and noise regulations that continue to strangle powertrains like this, but you do get little burbles and cracks at the limit. The S5 does pump real engine noise into the cabin via the speakers to compensate and, while it's much better than the fake sounds used by other brands, you may still be left wanting for some fuller sounds. Above: S5 Avant edition one Should you want to take more control, you can shift gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, though the S5 has a habit of shifting up for you if you are about to hit the rev-limiter. The adjustable damping does change up noticeably enough when playing around with the Audi drive select modes too. Even in its dynamic mode, the S5 is far from uncomfortable. Some may be tempted to always drive in this setting with the transmission left in D (rather than S) to get the most direct steering feel and fullest engine sound. Insulation from road and wind noise is also impressive given the S5's more athletic bent and its performance-focused tyres. Only on the roughest patches of bitumen did the Pirelli P Zero tyres drum up a bit of road roar, but it was still pretty well suppressed. The MHEV plus system also really puts itself to work when you're not in dynamic mode. When coasting or coming to a stop, the 48V system will constantly shut the engine off to save fuel, and at lower speeds will also do its best to stay in EV mode as you roll along. We still didn't manage to get under fuel consumption of 10L/100km during our pretty spirited stints behind the wheel of the S5 Avant, but I imagine in more realistic daily driving conditions like peak-hour commuting and the school run, this will help add a few kilometres per litre compared to a non MHEV-assisted powertrain. I had a shorter drive in the S5 Avant edition one back-to-back with the full-fat S5 Avant as well, to see if the more purist spec provided a significantly different experience to go with its $15,000 lower price tag – yep, that much. You get the same thumping V6 TFSI drivetrain but without the adaptive chassis tech, as well as fewer luxuries in the cabin, but really if your focus is the driving experience the edition one could be seen as an incredible bargain. The smaller alloy wheels help to compensate for the lack of adaptive damping, with a well-sorted ride that errs closer to the firmer setting of the flagship model but does incredibly well to iron out the lumps and bumps of country roads, while also communicating the surface in a way that an S buyer would want. If anything, it's a more focused experience, which is what Audi's product planners were aiming for. Should you be looking into the S5, I'd strongly suggest considering the edition one if you're not hell bent on having every option. Finally, the assistance systems. The S5 (and the wider A5 lineup) comes standard with most things you'd expect, like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras, but like the Q6 e-tron SUV, active lane centring is not fitted for the time being. Audi Australia says it should come with a running change at the factory later this year, bringing semi-autonomous driving abilities to its premium mid-sizer. The more advanced lane-keeping system is currently being tailored to Australian road conditions including our unique lane markings, for example, and will likely be retrofittable by dealers in vehicles if the hardware has already been included at the factory. It's perhaps the only real kink in the S5's driver assistance armour, given Audi's active safety technologies are all well calibrated and pretty user-friendly in practice. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Three distinct trim levels are available at launch, including the S5 edition one that is more of a pared-back 'purist' variant. It will be effectively replaced by the TFSI 200kW and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants later this year. Above: A5 sedan 2025 Audi A5 TFSI 150kW equipment mhighlights: A5 TFSI 200kW quattro adds: A5 e-hybrid 270kW quattro adds: Above: S5 Avant 2025 Audi S5 edition one equipment highlights: S5 adds: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The S5 is available with selected options depending on the variant. MMI pro package: $6000 (S5 edition one) Single-item options include: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Audi A5 and S5 have yet to be tested by ANCAP, though the A5 did receive a five-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The A5 and S5 range is covered by Audi Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, too. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new S5 Avant is a lovely luxury family express, and makes a pretty good case for itself alongside rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Regardless if you go for the value-driven edition one or the full-house flagship, the S5 offers serious straight-line performance and strong dynamic capabilities, backed by swathes of luxury, tech and everyday practicality. The new Android-based infotainment setup, at least in this reviewer's opinion, perhaps isn't as polished as the old interface from launch, but it has the ability to be improved and refined as time goes on. And the omission of lane centring technology from launch is disappointing – though this will also be addressed moving forward, and I'm sure not everyone will want it anyway. Long-time Audi fans may also lament the move to a more touchscreen-heavy and buttonless interior layout, though in the current landscape I'd still argue the four-ringed marque's approach is no worse than its rivals. Audi is also showing its commitment to the everyday performance wagon. BMW only offers the lesser 330i Touring or high-po M3 Touring, while Mercedes-Benz no longer offers any C-Class Estate in Australia – AMG or not. In today's market that's something to be commended, as is the confirmation of two more Avant variants coming soon. For around $100,000, the S5 edition one is pretty good value for money, and doesn't really miss out on anything we'd consider must-haves. So I suggest you choose that and pocket the $15,000 for another family treat. Oh, and #SaveTheWagon! Interested in buying an Audi S5? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Audi S5 showroom Content originally sourced from: S5 Pros Audi S5 Cons The Audi A4 has been a staple of the German luxury marque's lineup since 1994, but it's dead… for now. Yes, the long-running A4 nameplate was culled in Audi's recent lineup shuffle, which makes all-electric model names even-numbered and combustion- and hybrid-powered nameplates odd-numbered. It has since backtracked, but the mid-size passenger slot had already been renewed and revealed before Audi could bring back the A4 badge. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 and S5 sedan and wagon (Avant) , which effectively combine both the old A4 and A5 ranges into one lineup. The new model is larger in just about every dimension compared to its A4 and A5 predecessors, and brings the brand's latest tech to the table. From launch, the non-performance A5 is sedan-only, with the high-performance S5 available in two variations as well as sedan and Avant body styles. The new A5/S5 family is the first model to bring Audi's new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) to Australia, with the related Q5 mid-size SUV up next. The S5 also debuts Audi's new mild-hybrid 'plus' system in Australia, extending the regular fuel-saving 48V mild-hybrid tech by allowing the vehicle to roll around at low speeds in EV mode and reducing combined fuel consumption by up to 0.74L/100km. It's no secret that passenger car sales are down, and the A5/S5 is up against stiff competition in the premium mid-size car category, including the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, among others. Further, you could argue the Avant in particular is trying to make a case for not buying an SUV, even if the incoming Q5 will prove to be in-house competition. To find out whether Audi's new mid-sizer is worth a look, we attended the Australian media launch in Victoria for our first local drive. We'll touch on the wider launch range in this review, but focus is on the high-output S5 models. What? A new car that's cheaper than its predecessor? Madness in 2025… The Audi S5′ edition one' is something of a 'purist' specification that does without some of the creature comforts for a $15,000 discount over the full-fat S5s, and also well undercuts the outgoing S4. Even the regular S5 is only a couple grand more than the ageing S4 it replaces, while offering more power, performance and standard specification. While the headline act for the standard A5's price and specs is that the entry point rises substantially, spec-for-spec the 150kW A5 Sedan is more powerful and better equipped than the old A4 35 TFSI S line (110kW), and cheaper than the old A4 45 TFSI quattro (180kW) while offering more standard specification. Later this year, Audi will add four new variants in the form of the 200kW TFSI quattro and 270kW e-hybrid quattro, in both Sedan and Avant body styles. The limited-run edition one is expected to be out of stock by then – more details further down. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new A5 and S5 usher in a new generation of interiors for Audi, laden with bright and sharp OLED screens just about everywhere and moving away from the more classic, conventional layout of old. The new 'digital stage' interior layout is in full effect in the cabin of the flagship S5, with the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus (digital instrument cluster) and 14.5-inch MMI navigation plus infotainment touchscreen bolstered by an additional 10.9-inch passenger-side multimedia touchscreen. Compared to Audi's pared-back, fairly traditional cockpits of old, the new layout and interface can be a little daunting, even jarring. There's a lot of piano black in the bezels of the curved housing of the main driver displays, as well as the centre console, too. The interface is now powered by Android, which explains the smartphone-like widgets and app drawer. Audi says the software is fully tailored to the brand, and allows the installation of a wider set of in-car apps via the Audi Application Store as well as over-the-air software updates. While it's generally fairly usable and definitely not as fiddly as some other touch control-heavy interiors within the Volkswagen Group, the A5/S5's infotainment interface feels less conventional and less user-friendly than the previous generation of MMI. The displays offer beautiful clarity, brightness and graphics, though the widget-based menu structure isn't as clean as the tiled system it replaces and you will need to spend a bit more time learning where everything is. Unfortunately, Audi has also moved the A5 to touch-based climate controls, housed in a permanent virtual toolbar at the base of the central display. These aren't as user-friendly as even the clicky touch controls in larger vehicles like the Q7 and Q8, and feel like a step back. The toolbar is small relative to the available display real estate, as are the virtual buttons, meaning any quick changes while on the move require your eyes to be averted from the road and often result in a press of the neighbouring button or pressing it one too many times. I'm also not a big fan of the new multifunction steering wheel controls, which feel like a halfway house between Audi's old tactile physical buttons and the more fiddly touch-capacitive controls used in other VW Group models. They're not bad, but they're not great, either. Be prepared to have a microfibre cloth always at the ready too, because the glossy finish of the display and the swathes of piano black trim are a nightmare for fingerprints and smudges. But it's not all bad, I promise. Quick load times and gorgeously bright colours make these displays beautiful to look at, and while I miss the beautiful simplicity of the old Audi virtual cockpit layout, the new one with its central dial and adjustable side widgets make me feel like I'm wearing Iron Man's helmet. As you'd expect, the S5's infotainment fitout comes fully equipped with connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, as well as native navigation with online mapping. The S5 (optional in the edition one) also comes as standard with a thumping 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system. At full blast this immersive in-car sound experience is fantastic – though if you turn the bass and subwoofer up too high I reckon it might feel too much like a nightclub. In the standard S5, you can also opt for additional speakers built into the front head restraints for $980, bringing the speaker count to 20. I didn't spend much time with the passenger display because I drove by myself at the event, but a quick play with the screen reveals it's much like the available passenger displays in Porsche products, in that it basically acts as a secondary infotainment unit for the person riding shotgun, and has a privacy layer to prevent distracting the driver when the vehicle is in motion. The general feeling of quality is pretty good, with a good mix of soft-touch and textured materials dotted throughout the cabin. Being the flagship, the S5 gets lovely contrast stitch detailing for the extended leather and leatherette-clad upholstery extended pretty much everywhere, pairing nicely with the beautifully supportive fine Nappa leather-trimmed sports seats with diamond quilting. Being a wagon, you'd expect decent levels of practicality in the S5 Avant too. There's good space for four adults, though the protruding rear centre console and raised centre seat cushion mean a full-size fifth passenger might only be a good idea on the odd occasion. It can all feel quite closed in if you choose the standard black interior – I personally would be quickly rushing to tick the red interior option box – and while the rear windows are decent in size, the rising shoulder line restricts outward visibility for shorter passengers. Forward visibility is also obstructed by those chunky front seatbacks with integrated head restraints, which is something to consider if your children are prone to motion sickness, and also makes it hard for adult passengers to see out. That said, you can really open up the cabin with the available panoramic glass roof, though you need to pay $4990 for the privilege. The optional roof also comes with what Audi calls 'switchable transparency', basically utilising similar tech to the Porsche Taycan whereby a liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass panels can be turned clear or opaque using electricity. That may all sound a little naff to you, but it removes the need for a conventional shade, which opens up more headroom while in theory offering similar if not better insulation from heat and UV rays. Rear climate controls and USB-C charge ports add to the back-seat amenity, and there are your requisite ISOFIX and top-tether anchors for child seats should you need them. Fun fact? The rear USB-C ports can output 100W to charge larger devices like laptops should you need the extra juice, too. You might expect the S5 Avant to have a vastly larger and more practical boot than the S5 Sedan, but it's actually not all that much larger. Audi quotes 448 litres with the rear seats in place and 1396 litres with the second row folded, which is not a huge difference to the Sedan's 417-1271L. That's because the A5/S5 Sedan is actually a liftback, giving it a much larger opening than a conventional sedan with bootlid, and basically giving you the choice of two hatchback designs. Still, I'd go the Avant every time. As is seemingly customary in most premium products these days, particularly European ones, there is no spare tyre – just a repair kit. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool At launch, just the 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and the 270kW 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol engines are available, the latter with Audi's new MHEV plus 48V mild-hybrid system. Overseas, there are also MHEV plus-equipped TFSI petrol and TDI diesel variants, and Audi's local product team has left the door open to offering more mild-hybrids here, though it hasn't confirmed when we might see them. Speaking of, the MHEV plus tech is effectively an extended 48V mild-hybrid system that can drive in EV mode unassisted at low speeds, like when crawling in traffic or rolling in carparks. Audi says official combined-cycle testing shows the system can save 0.74L/100km of fuel – likely more in stop-start traffic than in the real world. The system consists of an 18kW motor/generator mounted to the S tronic dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Audi claims its MHEV plus tech boosts performance and cuts turbo lag, in addition to the fuel savings that result from this. Following the initial launch, Audi Australia has confirmed it will release the TFSI 200kW quattro and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants, both of which will be available in sedan and wagon body styles. The latter is the first plug-in hybrid Audi in the mid-size passenger car segment, and claims to offer just under 90km of WLTP-certified driving range while being about half a second slower from 0-100km/h than the hi-po S5. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Victorian-based launch drive program took us from Melbourne Airport and up Mount Macedon north-west of the Victorian capital, then to the regional town of Trentham before returning back to the airport. Above: S5 Avant Not only did this drive program have a good mix of road and traffic conditions, but we got a typically Victorian mix of weather conditions too – including rain and light snow. Having started the event in a base-spec A5 Sedan 150kW (more on that in a dedicated review soon), the full-fat S5 Avant I drove next definitely had its own distinct personality and sound by comparison. The petrol V6 has a brassy muted growl which sounds quite purposeful when tested back to back with the standard A5's 2.0-litre four-pot, and the substantial increased in grunt as well as quattro all-wheel drive make it quite a lot faster. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h time of just 4.5 seconds, which is seriously quick in anyone's money for a family car. But it actually feels quicker when rolling, steaming along with very responsive acceleration and a meaty mid-range punch that just shoves you along. The S5's maximum torque of 550Nm is available from just 1700rpm, but the extra boost from the mild-hybrid system means you don't really get that sensation of turbo lag on initial throttle input thanks to the immediacy of torque from the electrified tech. Audi's quattro AWD system offers excellent grip in all weather conditions, and the standard quattro sport differential on the rear axle additionally shuffles drive to the rear wheel with the most grip to provide even more rear-end traction in addition to the rear-biased torque split. It makes for some pretty silly fun on twisty B-roads like those we encountered on the launch drive. In addition to the addictive acceleration and response, the S5 is a pretty capable handler with quick steering and heaps of grip as mentioned earlier. While the steering in typical Audi fashion could do with a little more weight and feedback, the S5 Avant is a pretty rad grand tourer that is very eager to eat up any back road. The V6's lovely brassy tone makes itself well known at full noise and as the revs rise, though it's not as sonorous as some might like. Blame ever-stricter European emissions and noise regulations that continue to strangle powertrains like this, but you do get little burbles and cracks at the limit. The S5 does pump real engine noise into the cabin via the speakers to compensate and, while it's much better than the fake sounds used by other brands, you may still be left wanting for some fuller sounds. Above: S5 Avant edition one Should you want to take more control, you can shift gears yourself via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, though the S5 has a habit of shifting up for you if you are about to hit the rev-limiter. The adjustable damping does change up noticeably enough when playing around with the Audi drive select modes too. Even in its dynamic mode, the S5 is far from uncomfortable. Some may be tempted to always drive in this setting with the transmission left in D (rather than S) to get the most direct steering feel and fullest engine sound. Insulation from road and wind noise is also impressive given the S5's more athletic bent and its performance-focused tyres. Only on the roughest patches of bitumen did the Pirelli P Zero tyres drum up a bit of road roar, but it was still pretty well suppressed. The MHEV plus system also really puts itself to work when you're not in dynamic mode. When coasting or coming to a stop, the 48V system will constantly shut the engine off to save fuel, and at lower speeds will also do its best to stay in EV mode as you roll along. We still didn't manage to get under fuel consumption of 10L/100km during our pretty spirited stints behind the wheel of the S5 Avant, but I imagine in more realistic daily driving conditions like peak-hour commuting and the school run, this will help add a few kilometres per litre compared to a non MHEV-assisted powertrain. I had a shorter drive in the S5 Avant edition one back-to-back with the full-fat S5 Avant as well, to see if the more purist spec provided a significantly different experience to go with its $15,000 lower price tag – yep, that much. You get the same thumping V6 TFSI drivetrain but without the adaptive chassis tech, as well as fewer luxuries in the cabin, but really if your focus is the driving experience the edition one could be seen as an incredible bargain. The smaller alloy wheels help to compensate for the lack of adaptive damping, with a well-sorted ride that errs closer to the firmer setting of the flagship model but does incredibly well to iron out the lumps and bumps of country roads, while also communicating the surface in a way that an S buyer would want. If anything, it's a more focused experience, which is what Audi's product planners were aiming for. Should you be looking into the S5, I'd strongly suggest considering the edition one if you're not hell bent on having every option. Finally, the assistance systems. The S5 (and the wider A5 lineup) comes standard with most things you'd expect, like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and surround cameras, but like the Q6 e-tron SUV, active lane centring is not fitted for the time being. Audi Australia says it should come with a running change at the factory later this year, bringing semi-autonomous driving abilities to its premium mid-sizer. The more advanced lane-keeping system is currently being tailored to Australian road conditions including our unique lane markings, for example, and will likely be retrofittable by dealers in vehicles if the hardware has already been included at the factory. It's perhaps the only real kink in the S5's driver assistance armour, given Audi's active safety technologies are all well calibrated and pretty user-friendly in practice. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Three distinct trim levels are available at launch, including the S5 edition one that is more of a pared-back 'purist' variant. It will be effectively replaced by the TFSI 200kW and e-hybrid 270kW quattro variants later this year. Above: A5 sedan 2025 Audi A5 TFSI 150kW equipment mhighlights: A5 TFSI 200kW quattro adds: A5 e-hybrid 270kW quattro adds: Above: S5 Avant 2025 Audi S5 edition one equipment highlights: S5 adds: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The S5 is available with selected options depending on the variant. MMI pro package: $6000 (S5 edition one) Single-item options include: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Audi A5 and S5 have yet to be tested by ANCAP, though the A5 did receive a five-star rating from sister authority Euro NCAP in 2024. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The A5 and S5 range is covered by Audi Australia's five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Roadside assistance is included for the duration of the warranty period, too. To see how the Audi S5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The new S5 Avant is a lovely luxury family express, and makes a pretty good case for itself alongside rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Regardless if you go for the value-driven edition one or the full-house flagship, the S5 offers serious straight-line performance and strong dynamic capabilities, backed by swathes of luxury, tech and everyday practicality. The new Android-based infotainment setup, at least in this reviewer's opinion, perhaps isn't as polished as the old interface from launch, but it has the ability to be improved and refined as time goes on. And the omission of lane centring technology from launch is disappointing – though this will also be addressed moving forward, and I'm sure not everyone will want it anyway. Long-time Audi fans may also lament the move to a more touchscreen-heavy and buttonless interior layout, though in the current landscape I'd still argue the four-ringed marque's approach is no worse than its rivals. Audi is also showing its commitment to the everyday performance wagon. BMW only offers the lesser 330i Touring or high-po M3 Touring, while Mercedes-Benz no longer offers any C-Class Estate in Australia – AMG or not. In today's market that's something to be commended, as is the confirmation of two more Avant variants coming soon. For around $100,000, the S5 edition one is pretty good value for money, and doesn't really miss out on anything we'd consider must-haves. So I suggest you choose that and pocket the $15,000 for another family treat. Oh, and #SaveTheWagon! Interested in buying an Audi S5? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Audi S5 showroom Content originally sourced from:
Motor Trend
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2025 Audi A5 First Drive: A Damn Fine Daily Driver
As sedans fight to find their place in an SUV-hungry world, the Audi A5 enters 2025 (yes, we know the year is half over) with a full redesign, attempting to entice drivers away from choosing yet another crossover. Success? We traveled to scenic Aspen, Colorado, to drive the new 2025 A5 and find out. The 2025 Audi A5, redesigned as a luxurious hatchback, offers practicality with ample cargo space and a refined interior. Powered by a 268-hp turbocharged engine, it provides a stable drive, though lacking thrilling performance. It serves as a quiet, comfortable daily driver. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next The Audi A5 Then and Now The A5 has evolved significantly leading up to this third-generation version, known as the B10 by Audi aficionados. Introduced for 2008, the first A5 was a two-door counterpart to the popular four-door A4, which it shared fundamental hardware with while draped in evocative coupe styling. The A5 lineup expanded later to include a soft-top convertible, as well as a Sportback—that being not a true sedan but a sleek four-door hatchback. For the 2025 A5, there is no two-door version, and this Sportback body is the standard offering. (Americans don't get the sweet A5 Avant station wagon sold overseas.) That's largely because the A5 has assumed the A4's position in the lineup while the latter is on a production pause as Audi plots its path into electrification. The German automaker once planned to use even numbers for EVs and odd numbers for combustion-powered vehicles, but no longer, as the A6 and A6 E-Tron—completely different cars—indicate. One more item to get up to speed—literally—with the A5 story is that a sporty S5 variant has long been part of the lineup. The S5 will be sold in the U.S., and we already drove it in European specification. A high-performance RS 5 also appears to be in the works, though when or where it will be available is unclear. Outside and Inside On to the 2025 Audi A5. Built on a new vehicle architecture called Premium Platform Combustion (PPC, akin to the PPE basis of Audi's latest EVs), the A5 changes in its adaptation to the role of replacing the A4. The wheelbase increases, and the body is slightly longer, wider, and taller than before. Notably, it appears to have a traditional trunk, but it doesn't. Audi says this design element was added to look familiar to traditional three-box sedan buyers even though the rear decklid and glass open together to reveal a hatchback cargo area. Compared to the outgoing A5, this profile is less alluring, and the overall styling seems somewhat generic. It doesn't look bad, but aesthetics are no longer as strong of a reason to want the A5. In contrast, Audi made the interior more appealing. From the driver's seat there's newfound visual interest, seen in the shapes, textures, and trim details that the last A5's austere cabin lacked. There are some hard plastic panels, but those are well hidden so that soft-touch surfaces are the ones you see and interact with most. Quality of materials and overall assembly is excellent. Big screens are prominent inside the 2025 A5. All models get an 11.9-inch digital driver's display paired with a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen inside a single curved enclosure. The high-end Prestige trim gains a 10.9-inch touchscreen ahead of the front passenger, while the Premium and Premium Plus models below have a lame shiny black plastic panel there instead. The new 2025 Audi Q5 offers the same screens as the A5. For the positives and negatives of that tech, check out our 2025 Audi Q5 Interior Review . Beyond a premium feel, the new A5 provides superb practicality. There are plenty of spots to stash daily carry items around the cabin, but a key selling point for this car is how much cargo space it has. With 22.6 cubic feet of capacity behind the back seats or 36.6 cubic feet when those seats are folded, there's considerably more volume than the typical trunk-equipped sedan and enough to reasonably rival some small SUVs. The power-operated liftgate moves quickly, and the huge aperture presented when it's open makes loading cargo easy. Moving Right Along Like before, the A5 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine, but it's now stronger, producing 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, increases of 7 hp and 22 lb-ft. It's all sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to Audi's signature Quattro AWD system. The automaker claims a 5.8-second 0–60-mph time; fuel economy of 22/31 mpg city/highway is slightly worse than before. Setting off from a stop, the dual-clutch transmission can show slight hesitation as its clutches engage, but that's fairly unobtrusive; it's a common blemish with this type of gearbox. Once underway, shifts are imperceptible aside from a subtle change in engine sound. There's enough power from the turbocharged four-cylinder, not so much to thrill with acceleration but certainly a sufficient amount for everyday driving. How it's tuned makes ample torque available from the powerband's low end, most useful for helping the A5 feel unstressed during around-town driving and getting up to freeway speeds, though there is some turbo lag when pressing the accelerator while underway. In the manner of many four-cylinder engines, the idle at a stop is a little choppy. A large steering wheel diameter and relaxed ratio for the lightly weighted adaptive steering rack don't provide much engagement or connection with the chassis. Still, it turns just where it needs to, and Audi's chassis revisions within the PPC structure provide a stable, secure handling experience. It's quite apparent the A5 isn't meant to be driven with verve—that's what the S5 is for—but when doing so, the car follows its driver's input, resisting understeer impressively and moving with a cohesive balance between its front and rear axles. More poised than plush, ride quality is comfortable despite the taut suspension sensation over larger impacts and potholes. The A5 doesn't glide over pavement, nor does it devolve into floaty imprecision when the road gets rough, instead remaining settled as the suspension keeps body motions well controlled. Even though the brake pedal travel is long, it engages at the very top as soon as you press it. That reactivity takes a little getting used to, but there's still enough progression through the brake stroke to allow for smooth, gradual stops. New Audi A5: Chill, Versatile, and Upscale Built in high-end Prestige trim, the 2025 A5 we drove in Colorado featured acoustically laminated glass for the windshield and front doors that made the cabin remarkably quiet as tunes poured out of the Bang & Olufsen audio system, which includes speakers in the front headrests. Under incredible scenery, the trick electrochromic glass roof allowed for a view of what's above or an instant switch to opacity when it got too bright. During our time in the new A5, the car's high level of competence shone. There's not an abundance of notable personality, but the overall package is unobtrusive, and its uncomplicated nature made it a pleasant place to spend time inside and take in the surroundings. Glancing back at that huge hatchback cargo area, we became convinced the 2025 Audi A5 will make a pleasant and practical daily driver back on city streets or cruising along the open road.
