Audi A5 Avant: Test drive of the 204-PS diesel hybrid estate

Goodbye A4... welcome A5! Audi closes 2024 with one of the year's most important debuts, the A5, which will take the place of the previous A4 on the list and, for the time being, while waiting for the new generation, will also undermine the A6. It brings with it a new platform, is bigger, more technological, and with an engine range that focuses heavily on diesel.

The star of our test is the 204-PS 2.0 diesel mild hybrid, the engine that will account for more than 80 percent of sales in Italy. Here's what it looks like and how it goes.

Audi A5 Avant: Exterior

Compared to the previous A4, the new Audi A5 grows in all dimensions: taking the Avant estate as a reference, it is 6.7 centimetres longer, 1.3 centimetres wider, lower and the wheelbase also grows by 7.2 centimetres to the benefit of rear roominess.

As far as the design is concerned, it only takes a quick glance to realise that there has been an evolution, and a major one at that. In front, the grille, with its three-dimensional honeycomb effect, is larger and touches the headlamps at the sides, which can count on LED matrix technology.

The light signature can be customised via the infotainment screen and the same applies to the rear lights, which, however, make use of another technology, OLED, and at night are very dramatic, being united by a thin red line that helps to visually widen the car. The profile is also sleek, thanks to the 20-inch wheels, the spoiler that peeps out of the tail and the handles that are flush with the bodywork.

Audi A5 Avant (2025), the road test

Photos of: Audi

If you opt for the sportier S-Line trim, there are a series of satin-grey finishes at the front, the air-intake surrounds, and on the profile, such as the mirror caps and window frames. In Italy, however, you can have them all in black by choosing the specific package.

Audi A5 Avant: Interior

Let's start with the roominess, which, thanks to the increase in wheelbase, is considerably improved over the A4. Even with the driver's seat set quite far back (I'm over six feet tall), my knees don't touch the back, and there's enough air for my head, too. Four people can travel comfortably, five less so because the central tunnel is bulky and takes a lot of space away from the feet. The extra length, however, is not to the advantage of the boot, which starts at 445 litres on the A5 saloon and 476 litres on the A5 Avant.

Audi A5 Avant (2025), the road test

Photos of: Audi

Stepping inside, it is hard not to be impressed because the dashboard layout is all new and echoes what we have already seen on its electric sibling, the Q6 e-tron. There are three large screens: one 11.9" for the digital instrumentation, one 14.5" for the central infotainment system (on which the new Android Automotive-based software runs), and a 10.9" screen dedicated to the passenger and polarised so as not to distract the driver. The choice of materials is good, ranging from leather to fabric via aluminium.

Audi A5 Avant: Driving

The new Audi A5 Avant brings with it a host of new features starting with the new PPT (Premium Platform for thermal cars) that has entailed a massive update not only of the car's dimensions and roominess but also mechanically of the entire suspension and engine compartment. The star of this test hides under the bonnet the engine that will be the best-selling in Italy, the 2.0 four-cylinder mild hybrid turbodiesel with 204 PS mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Audi A5 Avant (2025), the road test

Photos of: Audi

This is a very interesting hybrid system because despite being a mild-hybrid setup, it has a relatively large 1.7 kWh battery and manages to provide traction at the wheels. This is an exclusive feature of full hybrids, not considering the very few exceptions on the market represented by Subaru and the Stellantis Group. At low speeds, therefore (up to around 19 mph), the car can proceed with the diesel engine switched off to the benefit of fuel consumption, emissions, and on-board comfort. On the move, however, it contributes significantly to performance with a major boost in power and torque under acceleration.

With this engine, the A5 can also be opted for all-wheel drive with the Quattro Ultra system, which, depending on conditions and driving mode, can distribute up to 70% of torque to the rear axle. Otherwise, it behaves as a pure front-wheel drive. With the new platform, driving dynamics have improved a lot compared to the previous A4: the steering is sharper, it is sincere and communicative even with increased heaviness, and even the brake is well calibrated because the pedal has a short stroke, is well modulated and always has plenty of bite.

Audi A5 Avant (2025), the road test

Photos of: Audi

Soundproofing is very good, both in terms of wind noise and tyre rolling, while isolation from engine noise is good at cruising speed, less so in the city where you can hear the classic diesel rumble in the cabin. Through the driving modes, it is then possible to customise the various elements, from the steering to the engine response through to the calibration of the shock absorbers, which are electronically controlled. The basic set-up is solid, all the more so with the 20" rims, a little stiff in the city but exhilarating through the bends.

Audi A5: Prices in Italy

The new Audi A5 saloon can already be ordered in Italian dealerships with prices starting at 50,150 euros for the 2.0 petrol 150 PS in Business trim. For the Avant estate, on the other hand, it costs 2,400 more, starting at 52,550 euros with the same engine and trim. Below is a summary table with all the starting prices of the individual versions without the specification of individual equipment, of which there are three with a difference of just under 5,000 euros between the basic and top of the range. All prices are excluding optional extras.

Stay up to speed with the Audi A5:

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