The new Audi A5 is sized between the old A4 and A6 models.
Image: Jason Woosey
The original Audi A5 was a good-looking car that famously brought tears to the eyes of its designer, Walter da Silva. The third-generation model, launched in South Africa this week, aims to rejuvenate that formula for a wider audience now that the A4 has been discontinued.
Whereas earlier versions were sold as a Coupe, Convertible, and a five-door Sportback, the latest A5 only takes the latter form, as a sporty-looking three-box hatchback. Rather curiously, it is badged as a Sedan rather than a Sportback, but this is likely an attempt to make A4 customers feel at home, given that this new A5 also replaces Audi’s long-standing sedan.
I reckon this ‘hatch-dan’ approach makes a lot of sense as you get the sleek looks of a traditional saloon, combined with the practicality of a hatchback. In my humble opinion, the A5’s elegant new design is a winning recipe and has a lot more aspirational value than the somewhat conservative A4.
The A5 has taken a step upmarket, though. Measuring 4,829mm in length, it is sized between the A4 and A6 models, and with the newcomer also set to replace the latter, it will become something of a ‘one-stop shop’ for all customers seeking a midsize sedan. This consolidation makes a great deal of sense, given that saloon cars have lost ground to SUVs on the market.
The newcomer aims to blend the best aspects of hatch and sedan.
Image: Supplied
Moving upstream also means a steeper price tag, and to that end, you’ll need to find R1,123,000 to put even the least expensive A5 into your garage. That buys you the front-wheel drive TFSI model in S Line guise, with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that delivers 146kW and 340Nm. Customers can also opt for a Black Edition at R1,166,800.
Also on offer is a 2.0 TFSI quattro model, priced at R1,238,000 in standard form and R1,281,800 as a Black Edition. Here you get a 200kW, 400Nm version of the aforementioned engine and, of course, all-wheel-drive.
Both engine configurations link up to a smooth-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
We got to experience the two variants of the new A5 on a launch route in the vicinity of the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng, and neither disappointed with their performance or handling prowess.
The ride quality was comfortable and engine refinement impressive, and although the front-wheel drive version is likely to become the best seller, the 200kW quattro model felt particularly brisk under hard acceleration. The only blemish was some intrusive wind noise, likely caused by the large rear-view mirrors.
Overseas, the A4 is offered with an innovative new mild hybrid powertrain, but this was ruled out for the local market due to cost factors. A mild hybrid diesel is, however, expected to join the line-up at a later stage.
Moving to the cabin, the new Audi A5 marks a significant departure from its predecessor by ushering in the brand’s new MMI panoramic display, which pairs a curved 14.5-inch central touchscreen with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster behind a single panel.
An optional 10.9-inch passenger display is also offered for the first time, and has a privacy mode that prevents the driver from seeing videos that are being played by the passenger, for obvious safety reasons.
The interior ushers in Audi’s new MMI Panoramic display.
Image: Supplied
The new infotainment system is powered by Android and can incorporate outside apps such as YouTube. The A5 also comes with a smart virtual assistant that incorporates Chat GPT AI, and as with the previous self-learning assistant, you can activate it by saying “Hey Audi” or pushing the talk button on the steering wheel.
Another innovative new feature, available as an option, is the panoramic glass sunroof that boasts switchable transparency thanks to advanced polymer-dispersed liquid crystal technology. Different segments of the roof can be switched between clear and shaded at the push of a button on the roof-mounted console.
There are many tantalising options available on the new A5, including a configurable 3D head-up display and two Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system options, with up to 20 speakers and 810 watts of power.
Standard features on the new A5 include adaptive cruise control, MMI experience plus, wireless charging, three-zone climate control, and LED headlights plus.
While some of the aforementioned items, such as the sunroof and B&O sound system, can be ordered separately, many of the cool new features come as part of pre-selected packages.
For instance, the Tech Plus package, at R45,000, includes a 360-degree camera, front and rear cross traffic assistance, pre-sense and Matrix LED headlights, among other driver assist items.
There’s also a Tech Pro package, at R100,000, which treats you to the passenger-side screen, as well as adaptive cruise assist plus, S sport suspension with damper control, front and rear seat heating, electric steering wheel adjustment, and digital OLED rear lights.
Our front-wheel drive Black Edition model came with R307,000 worth of optional extras, bringing the final tally to an eye-watering R1,473,800.
As for practicality, despite the increased dimensions, I found rear legroom to be a little on the tight side when sitting behind my driving position, but headroom was adequate despite the sloping roofline. The boot is relatively vast but shallow, with a capacity of 445 litres, and unlike saloon rivals such as the 3 Series and C-Class, you can load bulkier items thanks to the hatchback configuration.
VERDICT
The new Audi A5 is a stylish and desirable replacement for the old A4, which is now larger in size, stature, and status. However, in the process, it has become even more expensive than rivals such as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class, and once you add those options, it can easily morph into a million-and-a-half proposition. Its pricing may well limit its popularity.