2025 Audi S5 and A5 first drive: 5-door is the brand new four-door – Model Slux

Just like the Q5 final week, the A5 and S5 use a brand new digital structure referred to as E3 1.2. It is a clean-sheet method to the varied digital subsystems within the automotive, changing many years of legacy cruft and greater than 100 particular person digital management items with 5 highly effective high-performance computer systems, every with accountability for a unique area: journey and dealing with, infotainment, driver assists, and comfort capabilities, all overseen by a grasp pc.

On the highway

Sadly, these in search of driver engagement won’t discover a lot within the A5. Regardless of the enhancements to the entrance suspension, there’s nonetheless little or no in the way in which of suggestions, and in consolation mode, the steering was too mild, no less than for me. In Dynamic mode, then again, the automotive felt extraordinarily sure-footed in unhealthy climate. The A5 makes do with typical springs, so the journey would not change between drive modes, however Audi has tuned it effectively, and the automotive just isn’t too agency. I famous a good quantity of wind noise, regardless of the acoustic entrance glass that comes with the ($6,450) Status bundle.

The S5 will enchantment rather more to driving fans. The steering offers a greater image of what the entrance tires are doing, and the air suspension provides the automotive a supple journey, albeit one which will get firmer in Balanced moderately than Dynamic modes. Like another latest quick Audis, the automotive is deceptively fast, and since it is fairly quiet and clean, yow will discover your self going a superb deal sooner than you thought. The S5’s exhaust be aware additionally sounds moderately nice and never obnoxious.

The A5 begins at $49,700, however the $3,600 Premium Plus bundle is probably going essential, as this provides adaptive cruise management, a heads-up show, top-down parking cameras, and another options (together with USB-C ports). If you wish to get actually fancy, the Status pack provides audio system within the entrance headrests, OLED taillights, the aforementioned acoustic glass, plus a second infotainment display for the entrance passenger.

In the meantime, the S5 begins at $62,700; the Premium Plus bundle (which provides principally the identical stuff) will set you again $3,800. For the S5, the $7,550 Status pack consists of entrance sports activities seats, Nappa leather-based, rear window sunshades, the passenger show, and the adaptive sports activities suspension. These are all some hefty numbers, however the A5 and S5 are literally each cheaper in actual phrases than the fashions launched in 2018, as soon as you’re taking seven years’ value of inflation under consideration.