Audi’s naming conventions can be a bit confusing these days, and the A5 Avant Plug-in Hybrid is a prime example. It looks like a sleek estate, but Audi has decided to call it an A5, not an A4. This review dives into what makes this car tick, from its fancy matrix LED light bar and quattro all-wheel-drive system to its 25 kWh battery and how it all fits together in a practical package. We’ll look at the good, the bad, and whether it’s a smart buy in 2025.
Key Takeaways
- The Audi A5 Avant PHEV boasts 295 bhp and quattro all-wheel drive.
- It offers a significant EV-only range of around 100-120 km.
- The plug-in hybrid system compromises boot space, reducing it to 361L.
- Despite its price tag (over €75k as tested), some features like electric seats are optional extras.
- The transition between electric and petrol power is remarkably smooth.
A Closer Look At The Audi A5 Avant S-Line
This A5 Avant S-Line certainly looks the part. Audi is known for its signature rear matrix light bar, and it’s showcased well here. The front features matrix headlights and a black grille. While there’s no S-Line badge on the front, you’ll find the quattro badge on the side. These are the standard S-Line alloys, which look pretty good. The rear design is quite striking, especially with that light bar. The quattro badge is there because this plug-in hybrid model exclusively comes with quattro all-wheel drive. You also get a rear wiper and some graphite-looking black trim pieces on the lower part of the S-Line trim. The white paint really highlights the details, like the high-gloss finish around the rear window.
For those wondering about size, the Avant is 4829 mm long. It’s a fairly low-slung estate, not overly tall, which should make fitting a roof box easy if needed. However, getting that Avant body style comes at a cost. It’s about €3,000 more expensive than the entry-level sedan. And with the plug-in hybrid, you don’t necessarily get a huge boot.
Interior Space And Practicality
The plug-in hybrid system includes a battery that’s just over 25 kWh, giving you a decent EV range of about 100 to 120 km. But this battery does eat into the rear cargo space. In the non-hybrid version, you get 476 litres, but in the plug-in hybrid, that drops to 361 litres. That’s a noticeable reduction, and the parcel shelf design isn’t the most user-friendly, sometimes sitting too high or not at all. On the plus side, there isn’t a big lip to deal with when loading items. Unfortunately, there’s no underfloor storage for things like charging cables, and the cable bag takes up more space.
The interior is dark but decent, typical of the S-Line trim with its black headlining. Headroom isn’t too bad, even with the sloping roofline. There’s an armrest in the back, and you can access the boot from here, which is handy for an estate. You can also drop the rear seats using handles, but there’s a bit of a hump in the middle when they’re down. For rear passengers, there are two USB-C charging ports, air vents, and individual climate control, which is a nice touch. Everything feels solid and well-built, as you’d expect from Audi, with heavy doors. However, the door bins in both the front and rear are quite small; you can’t easily fit larger bottles in them. On the bright side, even with the seats folded flat, there’s still enough space to tuck your shoe under the lip, which is a small win.
Tech, Features, And The Price Tag
This particular car has quite a few extras, adding around €7,000 to the price, plus over a grand for the paint, bringing the total to about €75,000. Surprisingly, even at this price, the seats aren’t electric; that’s an extra €1,000. In today’s competitive market, you’d expect more standard features. Audi doesn’t always throw everything in as standard. The interior, while generally good, has a lot of gloss black trim and some cheaper plastics lower down. The curved screen looks nice, and they still use haptic buttons. The cruise control is on a stalk, which some might prefer for its old-school feel.
A key difference in the plug-in hybrid is the dedicated EV button, allowing you to drive purely on electric power if the battery is charged. This really helps with fuel economy. A useful safety feature is the warning beep that alerts you if someone is approaching from the side when you’re about to open a door, protecting cyclists or pedestrians. Blind-spot monitoring is also present in the mirrors. The armrest is adjustable up and down, but not in and out. There’s an Audi shortcut button for driver assistance systems, and the camera system provides a decent overview. Remember, many of these features might be part of optional ‘packs’, so check the specific car you’re looking at. The S-Line seats hug you nicely, and there’s a wireless charging plate. Despite some minor gripes about plastics and those small door bins, the car feels well-built. The driver panel for closing the door is a bit unusual, but the steering wheel is nice.
Driving Experience And Performance
This car drives really well. The plug-in hybrid version offers a significant jump in power, with 295 brake horsepower, which is quite close to the S models. Overall, the car feels pretty smooth. The standard S-Line wheels offer a good balance of comfort and style. You might notice the odd jolt in the cabin, as expected with an S-Line, but the transition from electric to petrol power is exceptionally smooth. Many plug-in hybrids struggle with this, but Audi has nailed it here, making it consistent and seamless. If you keep the battery charged, you can expect very good fuel economy, around 2.5 to 4 litres per 100 km, which is impressive for a quattro model.
However, when the battery is depleted, the fuel consumption increases significantly. Driving it hard can see figures of 9 to 14 litres per 100 km, which is comparable to a Golf R. Some plug-in hybrids also have reduced towing capacity, but this quattro model can still tow 1900 kilos. Unlike some other Volkswagen Group plug-in hybrids, this one uses a 2-litre, four-cylinder engine that sounds decent under load. The EV button is great; press it, and with sufficient range, you can drive like an electric car for up to 120 km. The extra boost from the battery makes overtaking performance brisk, almost like a sleeper car. In EV mode, you mainly hear tire noise, with minimal wind noise. This plug-in hybrid is also heavier, weighing over 2 tons compared to around 1,700 kg for other A5 models. Despite the weight, it handles well, especially with the S-Line setup. It doesn’t feel as heavy as you might expect, partly due to the low driving position and streamlined design, which aids aerodynamics.
Real-World Economy And Downsides
When driving in EV mode, you can expect to use around 27.1 kWh per 100 km, which is reasonable for its 25 kWh battery. You should comfortably get 100 km out of a charge. A notable downside is the smaller fuel tank in the plug-in hybrid – it’s about 15 litres smaller than in a non-PHEV A5. This means you’ll be visiting the petrol station more often if you don’t keep the battery topped up, though it’s just a smaller tank, not a higher consumption issue.
While the price tag in the low to mid-70s (euros) is substantial, considering the current car market and the S-Line package, it might offer decent value. You can customize the car extensively with various options, though this might increase waiting times. It’s possible to spec an S-Line for the high 60s. When you look at the rising prices of cars like the 5 Series and 3 Series, the A5 PHEV starts to look more reasonable. The main shortcomings are the reduced boot capacity in the plug-in hybrid and Audi’s tendency to charge extra for almost everything. For instance, a friend’s S3 required a subscription for adaptive cruise control. Despite these points, this car is very comfortable, looks great, and the interior is acceptable. It’s a nice car to drive, and the quattro system is a standout feature, proving its worth even without rain.
Is The Plug-In Hybrid The Sweet Spot?
Comparing the non-hybrid A5 to the plug-in hybrid version, it’s only about €1,800 more. For that extra cost, you get a significant power boost, quattro all-wheel drive, and much better fuel economy. For these reasons, the plug-in hybrid seems like the best option within the A5 range. The Avant body style adds another €3,000, and if you opt for both the Avant and the plug-in hybrid, the boot space is compromised. While you can fit things like a dog crate, you need to be mindful of how much you load, as the boot might not close if items aren’t pushed in fully. This is a trade-off for the practicality of the estate body style combined with the PHEV system.
So, the question is, does the compromised boot space deter you, or would you prefer a diesel A5 even in 2025? For many, the plug-in hybrid might just be the sweet spot in the A5 lineup. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.