Audi A5 Avant review

Pros: looks good, lots of tech, well made

Cons: BMW 3 Series is better to drive, fiddly buttons, slightly small boot

Audi A5 Avant Design

The Avant version of the A5 is much more conventionally shaped than the ‘limousine’ model, which is really a kind of five-door fastback, but it shares many of the same design cues. The rounded front end is a bit of a departure from the old Audi A4, but it still looks thoroughly modern and it’s unmistakably an Audi design. The full-width light bar at the rear is smart, too, integrated into the elegant tailgate design, while the bumpers are sporty looking without being too aggressive. Audi is also offering the A5 with clever lights that come with a choice of eight different light signatures, which can be changed via the touchscreen. What’s more, the taillights can also ‘communicate’ with other cars, thanks to changing graphics that can warn other drivers of an emergency stop, for example.

Audi A5 Avant Interior

From the driving seat, the A5 Avant feels much like the A5 Limousine, albeit with a slightly different view out of the rear-view mirror. Nevertheless, the basic dashboard design is identical, with the same combination of multiple different materials. It isn’t necessarily a minimalist design, despite the fact Audi has removed most buttons, but it’s definitely premium and upmarket enough to compete with rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz. That’s partly because the materials are generally very good indeed, and partly because they’re so nicely stitched together.

Unsurprisingly for Audi, the predominant focus of the A5 Avant’s cabin is on technology, with two massive screens dominating proceedings. There’s a huge central touchscreen and a digital instrument display, both of which live inside the same curved housing that ensures they’re both angled perfectly for the driver. As usual with Audi, the operating system is relatively user-friendly and the screens are very sharp, but the digital instrument display isn’t as clever and configurable as the system in the old A4 and A5.

However, the A5 Avant comes with tech that wasn’t available on its predecessors, including a touchscreen in front of the front passenger seat. It’s a kind of pared-back version of the main display, but it still has plenty of useful features and, if anything, it’s easier to use than the central screen. Especially as the war on buttons has seen the central touchscreen take responsibility for climate control, adding to the complexity.

But for many customers, the reason for choosing the Avant will be practicality. Admittedly, the official boot space of 476 litres isn’t that much bigger than that of the Limousine, but the figures only tell part of the story. The boot itself is a more useful shape, which makes it easier to carry bulky objects, and the taller roofline means there’s enough headroom for tall adults to sit comfortably in the back on longer drives. Rear legroom remains unchanged, but it’s generous enough in both versions of the A5.

Audi A5 Avant Performance & Drive

The A5 Avant is offered with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines, some of which are augmented with fuel-saving mild-hybrid technology. The basic 2.0-litre petrol engine is a more conventional motor that makes up to 150hp, and that’s plenty for most. Sending its power to the front wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox, it’s potent enough to keep pace with traffic, but it’s far from exciting.

Those wanting more power can opt for the 2.0-litre diesel option, which comes with mild-hybrid technology, or they can go for a more potent petrol engine. Plug-in hybrid variants are also expected to arrive in 2025, although they haven’t been confirmed as yet. Until they do, the diesel, which produces 204hp, is arguably the most compelling option, combining impressive long-distance efficiency with adequate performance.

In truth, though, no version of the A5 Avant is that exciting to drive. Audi has improved the A5 to bring it closer to the class-leading BMW 3 Series in terms of roadholding, and though its efforts have largely been successful, the Audi still isn’t as fun to drive as the BMW. But it is a bit more comfortable, both around town and on the motorway, where the suspension largely soaks up the bumps very neatly.

Audi A5 Avant Pricing

The Avant version of the new A5 starts at €59,600, which makes it about €4,000 more expensive than the A5 Limousine. For that money, you get a little more practicality, but you get exactly the same level of standard equipment, with the touchscreen and digital instrument display included as standard, along with 17-inch alloy wheels, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and fabric upholstery. Moving up the range gets you bigger wheels and smarter seats, as well as more technology, but the price rises too obviously. Nevertheless, pricing remains roughly on a par with that of the equivalent BMW 3 Series Touring.

Carzone Verdict

The A5 is a high-tech, well-built executive car, and the Avant builds on those qualities with a bit more space and practicality. Admittedly, this estate version of the new A5 only really makes sense if you’re going to carry bulky stuff in the boot or adults in the back seats with any kind of regularity, but if that sounds like you, there’s no great disadvantage to choosing the Avant. It’s only a little more expensive than the standard car and equally good to drive, while a strong engine range and stylish design means its success is more or less guaranteed.