mReview: Audi A5 Sedan – Unabashedly Unplugged

The new Audi A5 bucks the electrification trend and instead combines a combustion engine with Audi’s renowned build quality for an all-around solid product. 

The new generation Audi A5 is actually two cars in one, as it’s the successor to both the previous-gen A4 Sedan and A5 Sportback. Design-wise, the new A5 is still recognisably Audi though the front fascia is now more rounded and lower than before.

The A5’s headlights have also been refreshed with the Matrix LED headlights featuring eight different digital light signatures that you can choose from through the infotainment screen inside the car. And as is typical with Audi, there’s a light show every time you unlock the car too.

The new car has also grown 67mm over its predecessors for additional space for the passengers as well as an expansive 445-litre boot. Similar to the previous A5 Sportback, the new A5, despite the Sedan name, is actually a liftback with its electric tailgate opening together with the rear glass.

At launch in Singapore, the A5 is available in two trim levels, the base “Advanced” (like our press car) and the higher-spec “Edition 1”. The Edition 1 variant will run you S$15,000 more but it comes with a variety of added goodies like the sportier S line bodykit for a more aggressive exterior look.

The rear LED combination taillights and light bar also put on a light show when you unlock the A5.

Under the skin though, the A5 is Audi’s first car to run their all-new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). This new platform is not only their baseline for all their new ICE cars but has also been developed for easier integration for all the electrical gubbins required for mild and plug-in hybrids.

The powertrain in this A5, however, features a 2-litre, 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine devoid of any electrical assistance, an outlier in today’s automotive landscape. There’s still plenty of (dino) juice though, 204hp and 340Nm of torque is nothing to scoff at and its 7-speed S tronic gearbox works a treat too, at full chat the A5 will do the century sprint in 7.8 seconds and top out at 248km/h.

The A5's interior looks the business.

An enhanced progressive steering rack comes as standard on the A5 which gives it excellent manoeuvrability in the city and a quick and dynamic steering feel driving spiritedly. The Edition 1 variant comes additionally with S sport suspension too for added handling prowess. 

The punchy powertrain and handy handling also helps to cement the A5’s allure as a businessman’s stately shuttle. It’s honestly a little too easy to find yourself exceeding the speed limit in the A5, such is its stability when cruising. The rock-solid build and ride quality make the A5 feel like it could comfortably sit at speed indefinitely, especially if your commute is more AYE than Autobahn. 

And even if you’re stuck in heavy traffic, you can always let the A5 drive itself thanks to its Adaptive Cruise Control included as standard as part of the whole suite of Audi’s driver assistance and safety systems. Once you reach your destination, the car can even park itself.

The comfortable cabin, of course, plays a huge part in why this car feels as good to drive as it does. Save for some tyre noise, the NVH levels in the A5 are minimal and allow all occupants to fully escape from the rigours of the outside world. Regardless of which seat you’re in, you’re surrounded by premium materials that feel good to the touch and give the whole car an upmarket vibe. 

No electric motor to be found here, although the S5 will be a mild hybrid.

As with any Audi, the new A5 is also chock full of features to satisfy any tech-savvy fin-bro. For starters, Audi has moved all of the lighting, mirror, door, and memory seat controls onto a switch panel on the door, now putting all of those controls within easy reach. 

There’s also Audi’s “Digital Stage” dashboard design, essentially two gigantic screens curved towards the driver that house the OLED digital gauge cluster and the 14.5-inch infotainment screen, both running the latest version of Audi’s MMI. You can also option an additional display screen for the front passenger so they can stream videos, change the music, or input navigation instructions from their own screen.

Included as standard on the Advanced trim are tri-zone air-conditioning and a wireless phone charger with cooling so your phone doesn’t overheat when playing your tunes using the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. Spring for the Edition 1 spec, though, and you’ll get the S line interior package, a heads-up display, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound system for ultimate aural pleasure. 

If neither the Advance nor the Edition 1 trims titillate you though, Audi has already confirmed that the new S5 is on the horizon with more power, a mild hybrid system, and quattro all-wheel drive. 

In the age of electrification, the new Audi A5 uses a combination of modern tech, solid build quality, and good driving dynamics to make a case for itself despite its “old-fashioned” power unit. For those who are not quite ready to swap the pump for a plug, the new A5 presents itself as quite the compelling alternative.

The new Audi A5 is available now through Audi's website or at the new Audi House of Progress Singapore. 

Read More: mReview: Audi Q4 e-tron 45 – Leading The Charge

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