After selling the A4 sedan in the U.S. since 1996, Audi moves to replace both the A4 and A5 with the new, 2025 Audi A5 fastback. Say goodbye to the sedan.
Audi recently revealed the third-generation, 2025 Audi A5 and S5. No longer offered as a coupe or station wagon in the U.S., the A5 continues on as a five-door fastback sedan. Even more significant, the new A5 replaces the Audi A4 sedan. Audi first introduced the A4 to the United States in 1996, meaning that the 2025 Audi A4 ends a 29-year-long run.
Practically speaking, the five-door Audi A5 essentially is a slightly longer, streamlined shaped A4. And the trend of cars with a sloping roofline and steeply raked rear windshields began years ago. And, frankly, hatchbacks offer more, and more useful cargo space. But to see the name A4 disappear from the offering still stings.
EVOLUTIONARY DESIGN
Years ago, Audi found a design language that works and sticks with it. As a result, the newest A5 and S5 continue that trend, adding new touches to an otherwise familiar shape. Frankly, the Audi design looks modern and timeless, no need to fuss with it much. That said, you will see a new, bolder shape in the front grille. And new lighting as well.
In fact, Audi now offers eight different daytime running light signatures to choose from, but only on the A5 Prestige, S5 Premium Plus, and S5 Prestige trims. In the rear, the taillights now span the full width of the car, a trend spreading quickly across sedans and crossovers alike.
The body itself includes striking character lines running across the profile. And, despite having a hatchback rear, still provides a bit of a trunk like visual presence. To my eyes, at least. As you look in profile, you’ll see that Audi now mounts the door handles flush with the body. And, if you look lower, spot at least 18-inch wheels on the A5, 19s on the S5, and as large as 20s rolling down the road.
The S5 stands apart from the A5 with large side air-intakes and accentuated air curtains. It also runs on a sport suspension with an 0.8-in lower ride height.
SHARP INTERIOR
The latest A5 gets an updated interior and, of course, that includes new and larger screens. It starts with what Audi calls the MMI panoramic display. A uniform, curved section on top of the dash that encompasses a 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster (Audi calls it a virtual cockpit) and 14.5-inch center display. The displays make use of OLED technology.
Two more screens come as options on the new A5. A 10.9-inch passenger display, which lies right next to the end of the center display and gives the passenger front and center viewing. Audi will offer a larger than before head-up display. Or don’t bother looking at the screens and just use a new AI powered voice assistant to change the settings as needed.
You’ll also see plenty of usb ports, as well as nice and supportive seats, with loads of bolstering (in the S5 at least) to keep you cozy and comfortable. Theoretically anyway. I will need to sit myself to be sure.
Finally, courtesy of going hatchback, the A5 offers healthy amounts of cargo space. 23 cubic feet behind the second row. 37 cubic feet with it folded.
CHASSIS CHANGES
Audi built the A5/S5 from a new PPC (premium platform combustion) platform, which itself is an evolution of the MLB platform. That brings a new footprint. It measures 190.1 inches long, 57.0 inches tall, 73.2 inches wide, running on a 113.8-in wheel base. That makes it longer by 2.6-in, taller by 1.6-in, wider by 0.5-in, and running on a 2.8-in longer wheelbase compared to the outgoing A4.
The S5, on the other hand is 190.3 inches long, 56.5 inches tall, 73.2 inches wide, running on a 114.0-in wheel base. Slightly longer and lower than the A5. And a 0.2-inch longer wheelbase.
Moreover, this new chassis brings improved steering precision, according to Audi. Changes include a steering rack that now mounts directly to the body, and the use of a much stiffer torsion bar, which mitigates flex of the components between the steering wheel and the front-axle.
More broadly, the third-generation A5 receives a stiffer front axle, new bearings to keep friction down, and more camber built-in to the alignment. That’s capped off by a stability control system that will apply pressure to individual wheels and encourage sharper-in turn-in. Audi claims that combined to provide a more neutral chassis balance.
The S5 goes a step farther with adaptive dampers offered as an option.
POWERTRAIN
Audi keeps its turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four as the mainstay power supply for the new A5. The latest version delivers 268 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft of torque. The one and only transmission, a seven-speed, dual-clutch unit, then transfers that power to all four wheels. The 2025 Audi A5 is standard quattro.
Upgrade to the S5 and Audi swaps in a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6. It makes a healthy 362 horsepower and 406 lb.-ft of torque. Given that the S5 weighs 4288 lbs. that means you have a fun 11.8 lbs./hp weight to power ratio to use, which Audi claims will get you to 60 mph from rest in 4.3 seconds! The A5 weighs less—4090 lbs.—and offers a weight to power of 15.3 lbs./hp. It needs 5.6 seconds to reach 60 mph, still quick.
No difference between the two after the engine. The S5 uses the same seven-speed DCT and receives power at all-four-wheels.
WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT
You should see the third-generation compact sedan, err, fastback reach dealerships in the coming weeks. And feel free to order one now. The A5 starts at $48,995 when you include the $1295 destination charge. The least expensive S5 starts at $61,195.
It looks sharp, certainly. And I’m excited to feel how Audi’s improved steering feels. At the same time, it bums me out that we lose the A4 name after nearly 30 years of blasting through our favorite backroads. Practically speaking, the A5 is the fraternal twin of the A4, which means little actually changes. But—still—as crossovers continue to flood the streets, bow your head for another fallen sedan.
