Audi A5 Sportback / Coupé / Cabriolet (B9 “second facelift” – MY 2025)
Audi’s grand-touring line receives one last nip-and-tuck before the next-gen PPC-based model arrives: sharper bumpers, a lower 3-D Singleframe grille, Digital LED head-lamps with selectable light signatures and the new 11.9-inch MIB 3.5 infotainment. The longitudinal MLB-evo platform and three body styles remain unchanged – Sportback (4 757 mm), Coupé (-5 mm) and soft-top Cabriolet (+3 mm). Luggage volumes: 465 L Sportback, 450 L Coupé, 370 L Cabrio (roof closed, seats up).
| Engine (EU-6e) | Output / Torque | 48 V M-HEV | Drive | Gearbox |
|---|
| 40 TFSI 2.0 | 204 hp • 320 Nm | yes | FWD | 7-sp S tronic (wet) |
| 45 TFSI 2.0 | 265 hp • 370 Nm | yes | quattro | 7-sp S tronic |
| 40 TDI 2.0 | 204 hp • 400 Nm | yes | quattro | 7-sp S tronic |
| S5 3.0 V6 TDI | 347 hp • 700 Nm | yes | quattro | 8-sp Tiptronic |
| RS 5 2.9 V6 TFSI | 450 hp • 600 Nm | mild 48 V | quattro | 8-sp Tiptronic |
Twin-scroll turbos on petrol fours, twin-dose SCR on TDIs; fifth-gen Haldex clutch for quattro. The Cabriolet keeps a multilayer fabric roof (15 s open/close up to 50 km/h).
Strengths
| PRO | Why it convinces |
|---|
| Timeless styling | Low roof, fast-back tail and new digital lights give presence without excess. |
| Premium ‘coupé-lounge’ cabin | Soft surfaces, open-pore wood/Alcantara, 30-colour ambient lighting and S sport seats with massage. |
| 48 V efficiency with pace | 40 TFSI averages 6.3 L/100 km; 40 TDI about 5.0 L/100 km; 45 TFSI hits 0-100 km/h in 5.7 s yet sips like an old diesel. |
| Superb motorway comfort | Cd 0.26, acoustic glazing and DCC yield 67-68 dB at 130 km/h – great for long hauls. |
| Full ADAS pack | Lane-centring, stop-and-go ACC, traffic-jam pilot (< 60 km/h) and lane-change assist standard on S line. |
| quattro with sport diff (S/RS) | Neutral turn-in and no power under-steer; active rear diff on RS 5 sharpens exit traction. |
| Robust resale | Sportback 40 TDI S line keeps ~72 % after 36 months; well-specced RS 5 cars hold >80 %. |
Weaknesses (recurring feedback)
| CON | Reported detail |
|---|
| Hefty curb weight | Coupé 45 TFSI 1 695 kg; S5 TDI 1 840 kg – less agile on tight roads than a BMW 4-Series. |
| Expensive options | DCC, Matrix LEDs, Bang & Olufsen, ventilated seats add €9-10 k to the base price. |
| Cramped rear seats | Low roof and big tunnel: adults >1.80 m brush the head-liner; rear-facing child seats tricky. |
| Wet-clutch DSG wear in stop-start | City-driven 40 TFSIs may need clutch packs around 120 000 km. |
| Oil usage (EA888 & 2.9 V6) | Up to 0.5 L every 4 000 km considered normal – owners must top up. |
| MMI reboots after OTA | Occasional after updates; 12-s reset and dealer patch usually fix it. |
| Cabrio wind-noise | Adds 3–4 dB over a Sportback at 130 km/h; slight shake on cobbles. |
Indicative maintenance costs
| Service | Parts (€) | Labour (€) | Interval |
|---|
| 0W-30 oil + filter | 190 | 110 | 30 000 km / 24 mo |
| DSG bath-oil (DQ381) | 230 | 160 | 60 000 km |
| Tiptronic oil + filter | 320 | 220 | 80 000 km |
| Brake fluid + Haldex | 120 | 130 | every 3 yr |
| Front discs + pads 45 TFSI | 350 | 150 | ~60 000 km |
| Belt + water-pump EA888 | 220 | 190 | 150 000 km / 6 yr |
| AdBlue (TDI) | 8–9 L / 15 000 km | – | – |
Price list (OTR)
| Model | Engine | Driveline / Gearbox | Price |
|---|
| A5 40 TFSI Business | 204 hp | FWD / 7-DCT | €49 600 |
| A5 45 TFSI quattro S line | 265 hp | AWD / 7-DCT | €56 900 |
| A5 40 TDI quattro | 204 hp | AWD / 7-DCT | €54 700 |
| S5 TDI quattro | 347 hp | AWD / 8-AT | €70 600 |
| RS 5 quattro | 450 hp | AWD / 8-AT | €94 800 |
Sportback ↔ Coupé ±€0; Cabriolet +€3 800. Used MY 22-23 Sportback 40 TDI quattro S line (~40 k km) sell for about €39 000.
Verdict
Despite its ageing underpinnings, the 2025 A5 still blends elegant design, top-class finish, motorway serenity and quattro security. Digital LEDs and the 11.9-inch MMI keep tech credentials current, and 48-V mild hybrids trim consumption without dulling performance. Downsides include option-price creep, tight rear quarters and weight that softens agility.
If you want a premium coupé or fast-back that devours distance, holds value and oozes discreet style, the A5 remains a front-runner. Drivers chasing avant-garde interiors, lower mass or family practicality may be swayed by BMW’s 4-Series GC, Mercedes’ new CLE or even a Tesla Model 3.
