The New Audi A5 – a modern estate with old-school charm

At a time when the car market feels increasingly dominated by electric models, there’s something reassuring about climbing behind the wheel of a brand-new car powered by a traditional combustion engine, which in my world, is quite rare.

Audi clearly understands that plenty of drivers still want the familiarity, range and character of a petrol or diesel powertrain, and the new A5 Avant is proof that the combustion estate car remains very much alive.

This latest A5 replaces both the old A4 and A5 lines, slotting into Audi’s refreshed naming structure. Priced from £45,310 in Avant form for the 204PS petrol, it sits confidently in the premium mid-size segment, and after spending time with the new A5 Avant S Line 204PS S-Tronic, it’s clear Audi has aimed to blend everyday practicality with levels of technology once reserved for its flagship models.

Finished in Mythos Black, and fitted with the optional 19-inch alloys, the S Line Avant has a genuinely athletic stance. The familiar long, sweeping estate roofline remains, but there’s more definition to the bodywork. Short overhangs and slimmer windows give it a powerful visual presence, and the S Line kit adds sharper bumpers, privacy glass and subtle S-badging.

It’s one of those cars that looks expensive even standing still, but more importantly, it avoids the over-styled excess that’s crept into some modern designs; it’s confident and premium without trying too hard.

Open the door and the sense of quality continues. Audi interiors have long been class-leading, but this new model takes things up another level thanks to its Material Driven Design approach. The headline feature is the Digital Stage: a sweeping, curved display that merges the 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit with a 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen.

The clarity, responsiveness and sheer volume of features are astonishing. There’s an integrated app store, a new Audi Assistant capable of understanding more than 800 voice commands, and a vast array of menus covering everything from navigation to customisable lighting. After several days of use, it still felt like I had barely scratched the surface. The level of tech is nothing short of incredible, but overwhelmingly so at times. You could easily spend a week just learning the system.

The S Line’s interior enhancements, including the flat-top and flat-bottom steering wheel, S-embossed sports seats and brushed aluminium inlays help create a more focused, driver-centric feel.

Of course, being an Avant, practicality is a big part of the A5’s appeal. The boot is generous, well-shaped and genuinely usable for family life. Whether it’s luggage for a Heathrow run, sports kit or a weekly shop, the space is more than adequate and reminds you exactly why estates remain so relevant despite the SUV craze.

Passenger space is also excellent. The rear bench comfortably accommodates adults, and the three-zone climate control and multiple charging options make long journeys far more pleasant.

My test drive covered a solid mix of country roads, dual carriageways and a return motorway run from Sussex to Heathrow Airport. Through all of it, the A5 Avant felt composed, quiet and impeccably refined. The 204PS 2.0 TFSI engine is smooth and pairs perfectly with the S-Tronic twin-clutch gearbox, which shifts unobtrusively and keeps the car in its power band without fuss.

Performance is brisk enough, 0–62mph in 7.8 seconds and the steering, now featuring an improved variable ratio system, is precise and reassuring, especially on winding B-roads.

However, fuel economy didn’t quite impress. On my 100-mile motorway journey I managed just over 40mpg, which feels a little underwhelming for a modern 2.0-litre petrol, especially when my 18-year-old 3.0 V6 diesel regularly returns around 45mpg. It’s not disastrous by any means, but some drivers may expect slightly better from an engine billed as ultra-efficient.

Where the A5 Avant really shines is in its breadth of technology. Even in S Line trim, the car is loaded with features: adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, parking assistant, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and a full suite of collision-avoidance systems.

The Audi A5 Avant S Line is a superb all-rounder, stylish, refined and packed with technology. It balances everyday family practicality with genuine premium appeal and offers a welcome alternative for those who aren’t ready to make the jump to fully electric motoring.

Yes, the fuel economy could be better, and yes, the technology can feel overwhelming at first. But these are small criticisms in the context of an estate car that does so much so well.

In an era where traditional combustion cars are becoming increasingly rare, the A5 Avant feels like a reassuring reminder of what a modern petrol-powered family car can be: comfortable, capable, beautifully built and designed to make every journey that little bit easier.

For a test drive, contact Caffyns Audi in Eastbourne on 01323 344062 or visit www.caffyns.co.uk/audi.