Breaking news. Audi has changed the way it names its cars…again.
Depending on how closely you’ve been paying attention to car trends, you may have spotted that someone at Audi came up with the bright idea of giving their models numbers to denote what sort of power they used. Electric cars were given even numbers, while petrol and diesel cars got an odd number.
The result was that everyone, including dealers, were confused.
Cue a swift U-turn and Audi has now gone back to what it did previously. Cars given an A are saloons, hatchbacks and estates, while those with a Q are more rough-and-tuff models. The number simply explains the size of the vehicle. Simples.
Which brings us to the Audi A5, which is available as a saloon (although it’s actually a hatchback, but let’s not go down that road!!!), or an estate, which, as I’m sure you know, Audi refers to as an Avant. And because it’s got a 5 in the name, it means it’s sort of mid-size in the Audi range.
Powertrain Options
In terms of powertrains, you can choose from petrol, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or (shock horror) diesel. There are also sporty S and RS versions.
Diesel is steadily disappearing from car dealer forecourts but, when it comes to estates which are designed to carry a load, rack-up a high mileage or tow, then a diesel engine still makes sense. Diesel has also cleaned up its act. When did you last see a bus, truck or car going along belching fumes?
So, I went for an A5 Avant TDI quattro. My particular version was a Vorprung S tronic.
Prices & Performance
It’s a good-looking thing, as is generally the case when comparing saloons with estates. Paying £44,660 gets you into the entry-level 148bhp 2.0-litre petrol model, which gives a 9.8-second sprint to 60mph and a predicted 41mpg. If you want a bit more oomph, you can get the same Sport trim but with 201bhp under the bonnet.
And then we come to the 2.0 TDi 201bhp model with the same Sport trim. The price is now £49,165. It’s slightly quicker than the more powerful petrol version with 0-60 taking 7.7 seconds, but your economy improves to a very respectable 57mpg. A mild hybrid system (MHEV) helps with power delivery and allows for short distances using battery power before the engine chips in. Brim the tank with diesel and you’ll manage over 600 miles.
And if you’re thinking that it’ll sound like a taxi, you couldn’t be more wrong. It’s an extremely hushed car to ride around in. Okay, there’s a tiny bit of clatter when you fire up in the morning, but once the engine becomes warm, it’s remarkably quiet. Passengers would never guess that you go to the pump with a black hose. Motorway cruising is very composed although there’s a bit of tyre noise.
Move up to S Line trim and your diesel can now come mated to quattro all-wheel drive. For a big car, it's quick, with 0-60mph taking 6.6 seconds. Both entry-level petrol engines and the smaller diesel send their power to the front wheels via an S Tronic gearbox.
There’s also a 2.0-litre PHEV, which will need you to do some sums as to whether the additional outlay is worth it. Prices start at £51,405, but your power is now nudging 300bhp and the 0-60 time drops to 5.5 seconds. Economy is the name of the game with PHEVs and the A5 Avant e-hybrid doesn’t disappoint, with low 70s mpg possible. Audi says it can manage up to 60 miles on battery power alone. This car will appeal to company drivers in particular.
If you want to go completely nuts, there’s the RS 3.0 V6 muscle car.
Anyway, the one I had was the 2.0 TDi with a quattro powertrain. I also had Vorsprung trim, which at £62,945 makes the Audi A5 Avant look rather pricey. I’d stick with the entry-level Sport trim.
Driving Experience
Driving dynamics are excellent, making the A5 Avant a thoroughly enjoyable car to punt along. The steering and brakes are nicely weighted, and the suspension irons out most imperfections. Bearing in mind that this car is designed to carry a load, the damping is really good. You can also have some fun thanks to the quattro transmission, which adds a dollop of extra grip. Pretty handy if you live out in the sticks.
Anyone who’s been in an Audi over the years will know that build quality is up with the best…and this A5 Avant is no different. Everything looks good and feels seriously solid. The seats are very comfortable and long journeys will feel like a doddle.
Interior & Tech
In terms of what you get for your money, every Audi is well equipped. Sport trim comes with sat nav, DAB radio, heated front sports seats with four-way lumbar support, 3-zone air con, 18-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, roof rails, LED front and rear lighting, 14.5-inch central touchscreen, rear view camera and a multi-function steering wheel.
The central touchscreen and the haptic buttons on the steering wheel are designed to make life simple…but they are frustrating. The buttons are tricky to use and easy to flick accidentally. The touchscreen looks great, works well and thankfully the climate buttons are always visible along the bottom. There are also shortcut icons to the right, but solid knobs and buttons would still be better, which, incidentally, are what Volkswagen has started to return to. You can guarantee that Audi will follow suit eventually. These are minor grumbles and probably become less intrusive the longer you live with the car. Go for the Vorsprung trim and the passenger also gets a screen.
Summary
Overall though, the Audi A5 Avant is highly desirable and, if you avoid the top trims, is well priced when compared to the opposition. It’s good to drive, versatile, looks great, is well equipped even in entry-level trim, and should be economical.
A great choice for anyone who needs to carry a load and travel long distances, all wrapped up in a premium package.
words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Audi
