Audi continues to march forward with an impressive lineup of Sedans and Sport Utility Vehicles
Yes, I said sedans. Remember them? It wasn’t long ago that almost every manufacturer that sells vehicles in the U.S. offered several sedan models. Ford, for example, used to sell the Ford Taurus, which back in the day was the best selling vehicle in the sedan segment. Taurus is long gone, as are other manufacturer sedan models, all ditched in the SUV-crazed U.S. auto market.
So Pursuitist sends a big thanks to Audi for continuing to offer sedans, and even a performance station wagon (wagons, or Avants in Audi parlance, are another segment victim of the SUV craze).
For 2025, the Audi A5, first introduced in 2007, and higher-performance S5 are superb sedan offerings.
We recently traveled to Aspen, Colorado to explore the merits of both models.
2025 A5 and S5
The 2025 Audi A5/S5 quattro models strike a strong balance between sportiness, luxury, and daily usability. With advanced driver assistance, premium sound, and high-tech comfort features, both offer excellent value in the luxury coupe/sedan segment.
A5/S5 Exterior
Featuring a sportback configuration on both, the A5/S5 exterior is sleek and dynamic. Both trims are longer (2.7 inches), wider (0.6 inch), and taller (2.0 inches) than the previous model A5 Sportback.
Up front, Audi’s “Singleframe” grille sits under the flush hood, and slim LED headlights give the A5/S5 unique faces. The S5 model is differentiated with silver painted side air intakes and accentuated three-dimensional air curtains.
New, customizable digital LED daytime running light signatures available on A5 Prestige, S5 Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels, with new, customizable second-generation digital OLED taillights available on A5 and S5 Prestige models.
The profile view shows a low-profile greenhouse, stretching rearward in a sweeping arc, across the rear decklid hatch, and terminating at the lip spoiler. The rear decklid opens to access 22.6 cubic feet of trunk space; and storage space can be extended up to 36.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
The A5 comes with 18-inch wheels with all-season run-flat tires as standard, and 19-inch wheels with all-season run-flat tires available as an option; while the S5 is equipped with 19-inch wheels with summer tires as standard, and two different 20-inch wheel designs with summer tires also available as an option. Both 19- and 20-inch wheels can also be equipped with all-season run-flat tires.
Overall, the exterior showcases a clean, handsome design that just works.
A5/S5 Interior
The new A5/S5 models are full of impressive high-tech. Slide behind the steering wheel in the spacious interior, and your eyes focus on the curved glass panel that houses Audi’s OLED technology “Digital Stage,” comprising an 11.9-inch driver instrument panel display and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen.
A new, configurable Head-Up Display shows speed, navigation directions, driver assistance-system information, and more. An optional 10.9-inch touchscreen is available for front passenger use, and cannot be seen by the driver when in motion, a feature Audi dubs “Dynamic Privacy Mode.”
Other cool interior features include adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, wireless phone charging pad and Audi smartphone interface, three-zone automatic climate control, ambient LED interior lighting, leather/Dinamica (faux suede) seats with lumbar and memory, and a panoramic glass roof with variable light control.
The A5/S5 feature “Audi Assistant,” is an AI-powered adaptive voice control that understands natural language. The driver can activate the assistant via the voice command “Hey Audi,” or via a button on the steering wheel, and it can be used to execute various vehicle functions such as climate control or initiating navigation. A variety of Audi Connect subscription-based services are also available.
Two optional Bang & Olufsen Premium sound systems are available, delivering up to 810 watts of power through 20 speakers, including four integrated into the headrests of the optional front sports seats. The headrest speakers allow for privacy when making phone calls, as audio will not permeate outside of the vehicle with windows down. Navigation prompts can also be transmitted directly to the driver’s headrest speakers, minimizing disturbance to those in other seats.
A5/S5 Power and Drive Experience
Audi A5 models feature a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 67 horsepower and 59 pound-feet of torque over the outgoing A5 Sportback.
S5 models offer a 3.0-liter V6 outputting 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 13 horsepower and 37 pound-feet of torque over the previous model S5. Both are equipped with a seven-speed “S tronic” dual-clutch transmission, and the S5 comes with a standard sport rear differential.
Both models come standard with Audi’s legendary “quattro” all-wheel drive.
Behind the wheel, A5/S5 bolstered sport seats kept me and my drive partner Karl Brauer firmly planted as we followed Audi’s awesome route through the stunning Rocky Mountains, where quattro AWD prowess was on full display.
The A5 was a ton of fun to drive, and the S5 just made things better with its increased performance and uplevel, sporty luxury enhancements.
Safety and Driver Assistance Systems
Audi takes safety very seriously, and loads the A5/S5 with numerous safety and driver-assistance features, including:
– An advanced Airbag Protection System with 11 airbags
– Anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist
– Electronic Stabilization Control with multi-mode settings
– Lane Departure Warning
– Audi side assist (blind spot monitoring)
– Rear cross-traffic assist
-Traffic sign recognition
– Front & rear parking sensors with rearview camera
– Forward collision warning & automatic emergency braking
– Exit warning and much more
2025 A5/S5 Trims and Pricing
Our test-drive A5 carried a base price of $49,700, with the top-trim Prestige package adding $6,450; while our test-drive S5 a carried base price of $62,700, with the top-trim Prestige package adding $7,550.
Destination & Delivery for all models $1,295.
See more about the new models at Audiusa.com
