Audi A5 Review –
Welcome to AutoNote! Today’s younger generation isn’t interested in just another elegant and comfortable sedan. They want something more exciting and sporty—something that makes a clear statement. Audi claims to have just the right machine with the A5 Brat Pack.
The Audi S5 looks stunning, and you simply cannot ignore it; its muscular, hunkered-down stance is its trump card. However, if you are looking for a genuinely sporty and stylish four-door vehicle, the A5 has no equal. If you want to combine an exciting exterior package with a fair dash of practicality, the A5 is well worth a close look. You get comfortable seating alongside a practical rear bench, a wide and spacious boot, sports car ergonomics, and compliant ride quality.
When you intend to try your hand at some spirited driving, the A5—though not electrifying—will not disappoint you either. We expect the A5 2.0 TDI to be priced between ₹55 lakh and ₹60 lakh.
Audi A5 Exterior –
No matter which angle you view it from, the A5 grabs your attention—not in a flashy way, but in a stylish one. The A5 sits long and low, suggesting a sporty approach rather than a purely utilitarian one. It is a fastback, with the roofline sweeping gracefully into the bootlid to enhance its low-slung stance.
The A5 stands just 1386 mm tall from the ground—41 mm lower than the A4 and 69 mm lower than the A6. Even when compared to its previous iteration, the new A5 is 21 mm longer, has a 14 mm longer wheelbase, is 11 mm narrower, and sits 5 mm lower, all of which add up to its purposeful stance.
Wheels & Tyres –
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Alloy Wheels | YES |
| Tyre Size | 245/40 R18 (Low Profile) |
Low-profile 245/40 R18 tyres further enhance this low-slung appearance. There is also an intimidating edge to the design, starting right at the face of the A5. Four distinct character lines power down the bonnet toward a bulging lower grille that juts out slightly. This gives the Sportback a stance that suggests it is charging forward.
The aggressive look of the A5 is further heightened by the headlamps. These dual-barrel LED units feature sharp, angular Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) running along the top.
Audi A5 Interior –
From the moment you open the doors, the A5 makes you feel like you are stepping into something special. You have to drop down quite low to get into the seat, though it isn’t uncomfortably low. The 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat ensures a clear view of the road ahead, while the tilt and telescopic steering wheel allows you to dial in your seating position perfectly.
The all-black interior, three-spoke steering wheel, fully digital cockpit, and wide center console come together to create a exclusive environment. The open-pore dark wood trim on the dashboard, center console, and door pads of our test car added a classy touch.
The front seats of the A5 are not overly deep, but they do a great job of holding you securely in place. The seat base and backrests are wide enough to comfortably accommodate larger frames. Both front seats are electronically adjustable, though they lack a memory function.
Instrument Cluster & Infotainment –
- Audi Virtual Cockpit: Features an all-digital display that shows relevant driving data such as date, time, fuel consumption, speed, tachometer, odometer, and selected drive modes.
- Infotainment Screen: The center display is non-touchscreen and displays vehicle settings, media playback, navigation maps, and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Key Omission: A major drawback in a ₹60 lakh car is that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not offered as standard equipment, nor is the screen touch-sensitive.
The center console features neatly arranged buttons to control Audi’s MMI (Multi Media Interface) infotainment system and car setup. Positioned in the middle are a rotary dial selector, an MMI touchpad, and a chunky gear selector that feels substantial to hold.
The air conditioning vents feature touch-sensitive switches that display settings as soon as you rest your finger on them. To adjust the settings, however, you physically toggle them—an ideal setup that is easy to operate while driving.
Another thoughtful detail is the under-armrest storage compartment, which can be kept partially open for quick access to your phone while it is plugged into the USB charging port. The stowage area is large enough to handle a wallet, phone, sunglasses, and other small items all at once. The door pockets can easily accommodate one-liter bottles, with additional storage cubbies placed throughout.
Rear Seat Space & Boot –
While the Audi A5 is clearly a driver-focused car, you can comfortably seat passengers in the rear when needed. Two adults can ride in reasonable comfort for short trips, supported by rear AC vents with 3-zone climate control.
Legroom is adequate for two average-sized adults, but the sloping roofline introduces a few compromises. It cuts into rear headroom, and to maximize space, the seatback angle has been set quite upright. If you are over 60 years old or taller than 6 feet, you will be much happier sitting up front.
For family trips or weekend getaways, the A5 features a spacious 480-liter boot that can easily accommodate plenty of luggage. Adding to its convenience is its liftback design and a low loading lip height of just 669 mm, making it easy to load heavy bags.
Audi A5 Performance –
Firing up the 2.0-liter diesel engine in the A5 brings a mild clatter to life, but it quickly settles down into a smooth idle. Vibrations remain well under control all the way up to its 4,500 rpm redline. This is the same diesel powertrain that powers the A6. While there are quieter units on the market, this engine is still well-engineered when it comes to suppressing in-cabin Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH).
The moment you lift your foot off the brake pedal, the engine pulls forward confidently. With 400 Nm of torque available from 1,750 rpm, the A5 feels lively right off the line and is well-suited for urban driving.
Drive Modes –
- Comfort Mode: Ideal for relaxed city cruising. Throttle response is muted, and the gearbox upshifts early to keep revs low. The low-end responsiveness allows you to navigate traffic effortlessly with light throttle inputs.
- Dynamic Mode: Throttle response sharpens significantly, and the transmission holds onto gears longer. Torque surges in after 2,000 rpm, pulling strongly up to the 4,500 rpm mark. The engine develops 190 PS of power between 3,800 rpm and 4,200 rpm, enabling a claimed 0–100 km/h acceleration time of 7.9 seconds.
- Individual Mode: Allows you to tailor the engine, transmission, and steering feedback settings independently.
Audi A5 Ride & Handling –
We had high expectations for the car’s dynamic capabilities given its athletic design. As you start building speed, however, you realize the A5 behaves more like an executive sedan dressed in sportswear. The suspension setup is tuned slightly more toward comfort, which makes the ride feel a bit floaty near the 110 km/h mark, particularly over uneven surfaces.
Without adaptive dampers, the chassis exhibits some vertical movement at speed. Furthermore, because this variant is front-wheel drive (FWD) rather than Quattro all-wheel drive, the A5 does not actively encourage aggressive directional changes. While the steering gains weight in Dynamic mode, feedback from the front tyres remains somewhat muted.
Where the A5 truly shines is in how gracefully it absorbs potholes and rough patches. Designed as a practical everyday vehicle, it copes with bad roads effortlessly. You only feel a sharp thud if you hit broken tarmac at high speeds, but the suspension recovers its composure quickly.
Despite its low stance, the A5 did not scrape its underbody once during our test drive—even after starting our route through rural village roads. This gave us the confidence to tackle speed bumps head-on, and the A5 glided over them cleanly.
In Comfort and Auto modes, the steering remains light, making city driving effort-free. Slim A-pillars and generous glass area provide clear outward visibility, ensuring the car remains easy to maneuver in tight spaces despite its footprint. While brake pedal feel could be slightly sharper, stopping power is strong, linear, and predictable.
Overall, the Audi A5 makes for an agreeable city car as well as a composed highway cruiser.