Here in the U.S., there is no beating the crossover, SUV, and pickup truck market. Most auto sales are attributed to one of these segments, and they show no signs of stalling yet. Despite their dominance, though, the luxury sedan market continues to offer models that are comfortable, powerful, and look good; some are reasonably priced as well.
Thanks to the dominance of the larger vehicle market and the encroaching mainstream market, many luxury models have had to up their game to justify their price tags. Audi may have just played a blinder here. They have just released the redesigned A5, and it strikes a better all-round balance than most models in the segment can muster.
Why German Luxury Cars Rule The Roost
Yes, it can be argued that Asian and American luxury brands are right up there with European marques, but for years now, German luxury vehicles have been the core of the luxury world. Competition is hot, but with brands like Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche all turning out masterclasses in performance and style, for many drivers, there is still no beating them.
What really cements German automakers in the top leagues is consistency. These marques have mastered the formula of ride quality, engine power, interior and exterior design, and harnessing the prestige of the badge on the hood. That said, the crown isn’t quite as secure as it used to be, with the shift toward electrification and “better value” models. When it comes to heritage, balance, design, and capability, though, they are still a force to be reckoned with.However, even among German luxury leaders, the new A5 takes a surprisingly different approach that sets it apart from BMW and Mercedes.
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The New Audi A5 Doesn’t Try Too Hard And Wins Because Of It
2026 marks the second model year of the newly designed Audi A5. In previous model years, the A5 was Audi’s premium two-door coupe; now, with the dropping of the Audi A4, it has become a mid-sized, four-door luxury sedan. The 2026 Audi A5 lineup includes just three trims and has a starting price of $50,200. The A5’s restraint starts with its pricing strategy—three simple trims without the complexity rivals use to inflate costs.
Audi A5 Lineup
|
Trim |
2026 MSRP |
|---|---|
|
2026 Audi A5 Premium |
$50,200 |
|
2026 Audi A5 Premium Plus |
$52,700 |
|
2026 Audi A5 Prestige |
$56,700 |
The 2026 A5 is part of the B10 generation, which debuted in 2025, but this year, it has received some subtle design updates that round off the new overall design very nicely.
Understated Styling That Ages Well
If there is one thing the A5 gets right, it is restraint. While some of its rivals (think the BMW 3 Series) are piling on aggressive lines and oversized grilles, Audi has taken a much more measured approach with the second MY of the B10 generation. The 2026 update is not a rewrite of the A5 design, just a refinement.
You still get a wide, low-slung stance, but now, this is paired with a slimmer version of Audi’s signature Singleframe grille, tidy-looking LEDs, and more sculpted air intakes that add just enough edge without going overboard.
The A5 has literally grown up, as well. The 2024 B9.5-gen A5 measures in at 184.9 inches in length by 72.7 inches wide. This year, the A5 measures in at 190.2 inches in length by 73.2 inches in width—proper luxury sedan dimensions. This gives it a more imposing and planted look out on the road, and means that there is more room inside for you and your passengers.
The stretched proportions also work in its favor, and give the new A5 a smooth profile that makes it look more executive and mature, making it the perfect replacement for the outgoing four-door A4. The flowing roofline bends into the subtle lip spoiler; a full-width rear lightbar adds a modern touch, and the flush door handles and crisp shoulder line give it a plush look without shouting. In typical Audi fashion, it is not the flashiest car in the luxury segment, but that’s why it works.
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The Smart Engineering Behind The Audi A5
Audi creates some of the meanest sports cars and sedans, think the new 621-horsepower RS 6 Avant, and while the new A5 sedan is slightly tamer, it is ideal for everyday life thanks to a blend of power and real-world usability. There is just one engine option this year: a TFSI inline-four mated to a turbo and a mild-hybrid system; its specs are as follows.
|
Spec |
2026 Audi A5 |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
2.0-Liter Turbocharged EA888 TFSI Inline-Four Mild-Hybrid |
|
Transmission |
Seven-Speed Automatic |
|
Horsepower |
268 hp |
|
Torque |
295 lb-ft |
All models are equipped with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, which remains one of the new A5’s underrated strengths. Unlike torque-converter automatics, this transmission delivers lightning-fast shifts with exceptional smoothness that makes it ideal for spirited driving and around town.
When you push it harder, the gear changes snap quickly and keep the engine in the sweet spot without making it feel aggressive. It is the best of both worlds; a recent CarBuzz review of the new A5 sums it up:
“We love the seven-speed transmission, which reminds us that even the best torque converter automatics lack the quick-shifting motorsports feel like a well-tuned DCT.”
Mild-Hybrid Turbocharged Power That Actually Works
On paper, a 2.0-liter turbo-four with mild-hybrid assist under the hood of a luxury sedan that tips the scales at 4,310 pounds may not scream excitement, but in the A5, it’s the way the engine behaves underfoot that makes it useful. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system smooths low-speed responses and plugs any gaps you can expect from turbo lag. That means it feels a little more immediate than its specs suggest.
Horsepower output is seven more than you find from the last generation of the A5 at base level, but the real numbers are from the low end. Audi says that the 295 pound-feet of torque is delivered at 1,600 rpm and holds strong through the mid-range. You don’t need to rev the engine hard to get it moving, and that’s why it works so well as a luxury sedan you can use every day.
Performance is also respectable for the segment. Audi reports that the new A5 can hit 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, which puts it right in the thick of other entry-level luxury sedans. In real-world terms, that is quick enough to feel premium, even if it is slower than the 2026 330i xDrive (5.4 seconds).
It is by no means an aggressive modern sedan, but it does work well for everyday traffic. Plus, if that isn’t powerful enough for you, there is always the 362-horsepower/406-pound-foot 2026 S6 that can get you to 60 in 4.3 seconds.
Quattro AWD That Adds Refined Confidence
All models of the new A5 get the Quattro AWD system as standard fare. The extra grip you get from Quattro AWD isn’t just for the sake of it, but it is designed to make the A5 seamlessly useful in most on-road conditions. When you are driving normally, it works almost transparently, sending most of its power to the front wheels to keep things relatively efficient and predictable.
The system really earns its keep in everyday driving; if it is wet, cold, or you drive on rough highways, the system deals with these conditions calmly. There is no scrambling for grip or wheel spin when the surface isn’t perfect; you just get quiet confidence when you plant your foot.
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Where The New A5 Makes The Most Sense
Up against its main rivals, like the BMW 3 Series, the A5 is more expensive. The new 330i has a starting price of $48,000, and you get a 255-horsepower B48 inline-four as standard. However, you don’t get all-wheel drive from build; it will cost you at least $50,000 for the xDrive model.
The base model of the new C-Class is also slightly cheaper, at $49,650, but 0–60 mph times are clocked at 6 seconds. You do get an immense blend of high-end German refinement and decent specs from its rivals, but the A5 gets the blend right in terms of plushness, usability, available power, everyday capability, and a cabin that is not going to feel outdated anytime soon.
A Cabin That Prioritizes Clarity Over Gimmicks
As we find with a lot of high-end German cars, the cabin design is more than just heavy-handed gaudiness, and the new A5’s interior design is the quiet luxury we love about Audi.
It comes equipped with Audi’s latest dual-display setup, which includes an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit paired with a 14.5-inch OLED touchscreen, with an optional 10.9-inch passenger display in the Premium Plus and Prestige trims. The base Premium trim keeps things simple, but you still get the clear graphics, sharp responses, and easy-to-use menus.
Trim differences come down to levels of refinement rather than radical changes. The Premium Plus gets features like a HUD, more advanced driver tech, and upgraded ambient lighting compared to the base model, while the top-tier Prestige leans fully into luxury with ventilated front seats, lots of leather on the surfaces, and a high-grade finish.
Material quality is exactly what you’d expect from an Audi, and you get soft-touch materials on the dash, metal switchgear, and leather upholstery as standard; there is no cloth or partial vinyl here. From the base trim up, there is no real entry-level feeling, just calm luxury on top of calm luxury.
Real-World Comfort Without Losing Its Edge
As we have mentioned, the new A5 has been sized up, and while that may make it slightly more inconvenient to drive around the city compared to the older model, the payoff comes in the form of lots of space for you and whoever is in the back and a very respectable amount of cargo space.
The A5 sedan boasts a liftback trunk opening, so it is easy to load, and Audi says that the new A5 has 22.6 cubic feet of storage space with the seats in place. When you fold down the rear seats, though, you get a very impressive 36.6 cubic feet. Passenger space is also respectable, with the following interior measurements.
|
Headroom |
Shoulder Room |
Legroom |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Front |
40 Inches |
57.3 Inches |
41.3 Inches |
|
Rear |
37.2 Inches |
55.1 Inches |
36.1 Inches |
Compared to the new C-Class, the new A5 offers significantly more space; you only get 11.6 cubic feet of storage space in the C-Class, while the new 3 Series only gets 17 cubic feet. The new liftback design, the added space, and the passenger space, paired with the luxe and sensible interior, just mean that the A5 is truly a sedan that can be used easily all the time.
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Why The New Audi A5 Quietly Outperforms
According to current reviews of the new A5 on J.D. Power, it is rated 76 out of 100 overall, with ratings of 73 out of 100 for reliability and 76 out of 100 for driving experience. Those are pretty average ratings, but we know that the new A5 is made for understated, everyday luxury. On top of the well-thought-out cabin design, enough power under the hood, standard-fit Quattro, and brand prestige that Audi brings, it is still pretty fuel-efficient. According to FuelEconomy.gov, the new A5 can achieve 26 combined mpg (22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway).
You have to use premium gasoline to fill up, hence the high $2,650 it will cost you a year for fuel, but you do get a full-tank range of 385 miles. Models like the new C-Class, Giulia, and 3 Series are reportedly more fuel efficient, but the A5 isn’t designed to chase single-category wins. It blends performance and usability, and it is made for the long-term.
The new A5 doesn’t try too hard to dominate in any metric; it just quietly gets everything right enough to feel complete and competitive in an increasingly hard market to break. In a segment full of cars trying to prove a point, the all-encompassing refined cohesion that the A5 has makes it stand out as the ideal luxury sedan to buy today and enjoy for a long time.
Sources: Audi, FuelEconomy.gov, J.D. Power.