Audi A5

Overview

The Audi A5 is a mid-size luxury coupé from the German marque, which first opened for bookings in Europe on 6 March 2007 and was delivered in June of the same year as an all-new series in the Audi stable. Positioned in the premium two-door coupé segment, the vehicle blends dynamic styling, engaging powertrain performance, sharp dynamics, and exceptional build quality. The Audi A5 comes in several body styles, including the Sportback (four-door coupé), Coupé (two-door hardtop), and Cabriolet (convertible).

Starting in 2024, Audi revised its global model nomenclature: even numbers denote fully electric models, whilst odd numbers represent internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Under this new strategy, the long-running, best-selling Audi A4 has been officially renamed the Audi A5. The all-new Audi A5 line-up comprises four variants: the A5 Sedan, S5 Sedan, A5 Avant, and S5 Avant, all underpinning Audi's brand-new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. In China, the Audi A5 is offered as both fully imported (CBU) and locally assembled (CKD) models. The imported 2025 Audi A5 Sportback Collector's Edition retails between RM385,800 and RM418,800; the locally assembled variant built by SAIC Audi, the 2026 A5L Sportback, carries an official price tag of RM279,900 to RM399,900, with limited-time promotional pricing starting from as low as RM259,900.

Design Language

The exterior styling of the Audi A5 adopts the brand's latest design philosophy. Up front, a wider, flatter Singleframe radiator grille features a three-dimensional honeycomb mesh, flanked by sleek, sculpted headlamp clusters to deliver a bold front fascia. The headlight assemblies feature a substantial profile, creating a powerful road presence. Distinctive "quattro blisters" flared above the front and rear wheel arches pay homage to the legendary Audi Ur-quattro, serving as a signature hallmark of Audi's design heritage. Along the sides, the vehicle exhibits fluid character lines, with the Sportback variant sporting a sweeping fastback silhouette that tapers seamlessly into a raked rear windscreen in true four-door coupé fashion.

Dimensions vary slightly across different versions. The imported 2025 Sportback Collector's Edition measures 4,765 mm in length, 1,843 mm in width, and 1,353 mm in height, with a 2,826 mm wheelbase; the locally produced 2026 A5L Sportback measures 4,903 mm long, 1,883 mm wide, and 1,427 mm tall, riding on an extended 2,922 mm wheelbase. It achieves an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.26 Cd. At the rear, second-generation digital OLED tail lamps are complemented by frameless doors and a powered liftback tailgate. The 2025 line-up is available in nine exterior colours, including Arkona White, Chronos Grey, Navarra Blue, and Glacier White.

Interior & In-Cabin Tech

Inside, the all-new Audi A5 introduces the "Digital Stage" cabin architecture, positioning display screens as the primary visual focus. The cockpit features a triple-screen layout, consisting of a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch central infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.1-inch passenger display. The revised cabin introduces a newly styled multi-function steering wheel that brings back physical scroll dials for intuitive tactile operation on the move. The infotainment unit runs the latest-generation MMI operating system, boasting refreshed UI graphics, sharper icons, and a streamlined menu layout. Cabin trim finishes include silver aluminium inserts, grey natural oak wood, and gloss black piano lacquer.

Powertrain & Performance

The Audi A5 range is powered exclusively by a 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, available in two states of tune. The fifth-generation EA888 Evo5 engine serves as the core powerplant, equipped with 500-bar high-pressure direct injection and Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) technology. The standard output version delivers 150 kW (204 PS) and 340 Nm of torque, whilst the high-output derivative puts out 200 kW (272 PS) and 370 Nm. The imported 2025 Collector's Edition runs a 2.0T mill producing 150 kW (204 PS) and 320 Nm of torque. Power is channelled via a 7-speed S tronic wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

Higher-spec variants feature the quattro ultra intelligent all-wheel-drive system paired with a 48V mild-hybrid setup. The high-output variant completes the 0–100 km/h century sprint in just 5.6 seconds, on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Combined fuel consumption on the WLTC cycle is rated between 6.7 and 6.72 litres per 100 km.

Chassis & Handling

The Audi A5 is built on the MLB Evo platform (imported models) or the next-gen PPC architecture (all-new generation). Underneath, it employs front and rear five-link independent suspension setups, delivering superior ride compliance and sharp handling dynamics. Selected variants benefit from dynamic steering and continuous damping control (CDC) adaptive suspension. Drivetrain options encompass front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Braking is handled by ventilated discs at all four corners, paired with an electronic parking brake (EPB) with Auto Hold.

Equipment & Comfort

In terms of in-car equipment, the Audi A5 is fitted with the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus alongside the latest-generation MMI infotainment setup. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Huawei HiCar dual-ecosystem integration. The dedicated front passenger screen allows independent Bluetooth headphone pairing, ensuring passenger entertainment remains completely separate from driver navigation prompts. Standard creature comforts include power-adjustable front seats, a panoramic glass roof, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a reverse camera. Higher-spec trims add a 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, front seats with ventilation, heating, and massage functions, and a 9-segment electrochromic panoramic glass roof. Cargo loading is made effortless on the Sportback via a practical liftback tailgate with a wide aperture.

Safety & Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS)

Advanced driver assistance is one of the standout USPs of the Audi A5. Mid-to-high-spec models of the locally produced 2026 A5L Sportback come equipped with the Huawei Qiankun intelligent driving suite, incorporating dual LiDAR sensors and a 32-sensor array (2 LiDAR units, 12 HD cameras, 6 millimetre-wave radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors). This setup supports highway and urban Navigation Cruise Assist (NCA), enabling automated highway ramp merging/exiting, traffic light recognition, and barrier-free ETC toll passage.

Passive safety features include front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) as standard. Active safety systems comprise full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. Selected imported variants offer Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features as an optional extra.

Market Performance & Verdict

The Audi A5 has experienced fluctuating sales in the Chinese market. In December 2025, FAW Audi A5L monthly sales peaked at 8,057 units, recording a one-year high. However, sales softened heading into 2026—sliding to 6,842 units in January, 2,868 units in February, and recovering slightly to 4,598 units in March. By May 2026, SAIC Audi A5L Sportback monthly sales stood at just 1,475 units. Market analysts attribute this slowdown to consumer hesitation over the reliability of third-party smart driving software, persistent low-speed dual-clutch transmission hesitations, and frequent revisions to official lifetime warranty programmes.

From a product standpoint, the Audi A5 remains a compelling contender in the RM300,000 executive coupé bracket, thanks to its frameless fastback silhouette, generous cabin space courtesy of the 2,922 mm wheelbase, and the hardware-software synergy of the fifth-gen EA888 engine and Huawei Qiankun driving assistance. Its chief market rivals remain the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and Mercedes-Benz CLE. On the whole, as the vanguard of Audi's strategic ICE model overhaul, the A5 carves out a distinct niche that balances advanced tech with striking aesthetics, thanks to its fresh PPC platform, next-level digital cockpit, and cutting-edge ADAS capabilities.