The all-new 2025 Audi A5 & S5 have a point to prove
Audi decided the best way to introduce its all-new 2025 A5 and S5 was to hand journalists the keys in Denver and point them toward Aspen. A five-hour Colorado road trip is the perfect real-world test for the all-new A5 & S5. You get the slog of city traffic, long highway stretches, and a final reward of challenging mountain pass roads.
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In this case, we had two distinctly different flavors to test. First up was the A5, the sharp, sophisticated new core of Audi’s sedan lineup. And waiting in the wings was its more athletic, rowdier sibling, the S5, a car with a definite point to prove.
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New look, new mission
This single A5 model line is now doing the job of two cars, replacing both the A4 sedan and the previous A5 Sportback. And honestly? It’s a brilliant move. Instead of splitting the difference, Audi focused on creating one incredibly handsome and versatile vehicle. The result is a machine with a wide, aggressive stance and a stunningly sleek, coupe-like roofline that flows right into a rear lift-back.
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The design has a real purpose. You can see hints of the legendary Ur-Quattro in its muscular fender blisters, a core piece of Audi’s design DNA. But the best part is that gorgeous shape hides some serious practicality. That lift-back opens up a massive cargo area with over 22 cubic feet with the seats up, giving you the utility of a hatchback with the profile of a captivating sedan. It’s a stunningly sleek design that makes the car both beautiful and incredibly easy to live with.
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Mile-high cruising in the A5
Sliding into the A5 for the first leg of the trip, the immediate impression is the cabin. Audi has upped its game here. The new interior design feels generous and spacious, thanks in part to a wheelbase that’s been stretched by over two and a half inches. The materials are high-quality, and the layout feels a cut above the competition from Munich. The centerpiece is the new “Digital Stage,” a curved panel housing the 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and a massive 14.5-inch MMI touch display. It’s a tech-forward command center that looks fantastic and is surprisingly intuitive.
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On the highway at nearly 7,000 feet in elevation, the A5 moves along with the standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out a healthy 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Now, it’s effortlessly smooth and quiet; however, at 7,000 feet, we lose about 20% of this engine’s power, which does make it feel a bit lethargic when trying to pass on a steep mountain highway.
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This won’t be much of an issue around LA or Miami, though, where the car will have plenty of air to breathe. It’s very efficient, promising 31 MPG on the highway. For the 90% of driving that involves getting from A to B, the A5 is the smart, stylish, and supremely comfortable choice.
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Unleashing the S5 in the mountains
As the Rockies began to loom, we pulled over to swap keys. It was time for the S5. You know it’s the serious one right away from the larger 20-inch S wheels, more aggressive air intakes, and, of course, the red “S” badge.
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But the real difference is clear the moment you press the start button. The 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 clears its throat with a purposeful bark that the A5 just doesn’t have. With 362 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, this is the emotional heart of the lineup.
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It drops the 0-60 mph sprint in a very respectable 4.3 seconds, and on the winding mountain roads outside Aspen, it’s a total riot. The S5 comes standard with a sport rear differential and can be optioned with an adaptive S sport suspension, which works with the quattro all-wheel-drive system to make the car feel absolutely glued to the pavement. It just digs into corners and powers out with a neutrality and confidence that begs you to push it harder.
I also want to discuss the Bang & Olufsen sound system, as it features a technology that I loved. The optional system places speakers inside the front headrests. This allows for some brilliant audio magic. For instance, you can have navigation prompts whispered directly into your ear, so your music or podcast isn’t interrupted for everyone else in the car. It’s a brilliantly simple piece of “why didn’t someone think of this sooner?” tech that makes the driving experience that much more seamless, not to mention excellent music sound quality with great vocals, clarity, and a base you can feel.
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S model seats
I would be doing the S5 a disservice if I didn’t mention the incredible seats. They’re wide and perfectly comfortable for a long-haul cruise, but with the push of a few buttons, they transform from ‘long-haul recliner’ to ‘huggy’, holding you in place for those sporty drives through the mountains. It’s the ideal balance for a car that has to do everything well. On top of just feeling great, they look awesome, especially with the slick little metal ‘S’ plaque set right below the headrest. It’s a premium detail that makes the whole cabin feel that much more special.
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Personalized OLED lighting signature
Audi has been the undisputed king of the lighting game for years, and they’re clearly not giving up the crown. It’s a cool party trick, for sure, but it’s also a genuinely neat way to give your car a personal flair. The customizable daytime running lights, which offer eight different signatures, are available on the A5 Prestige and both the S5 Premium Plus and Prestige trims. If you step up to the Prestige trim on either the A5 or S5, you also get the incredible customizable second-generation digital OLED taillights. The light itself is super crisp and clean, with the OLEDs creating a stunning three-dimensional effect that no one else has quite managed to replicate.
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Two personalities, one platform
So after five hours and hundreds of miles, what’s the verdict? Audi hasn’t just built one good car here; it’s built two excellent vehicles that happen to share the same body. They represent two distinct personalities, two different answers to the question of what a premium sport sedan should be. The A5 is the brain of the operation. It’s the stylish, comfortable, and practical choice for the driver who values technology, efficiency, and a serene driving experience. It’s a car that makes you feel smart. The S5, on the other hand, is all heart. It’s the one you choose when the drive itself is the destination. It has that extra layer of soul, sound, and dynamic capability that enthusiasts crave. It’s less about the destination and more about the thrill of getting there.
About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog