Audi A5 Avant Review & Prices

This is the Audi A5 Avant, which is the new name for the A4 Avant, Audi’s smart executive estate car – and it’s completely unrelated to the A5 Sportback. Confused yet?

Simply put, the A5 Avant is an alternative to similarly posh estate cars such as the Mercedes C-Class Estate, BMW 3 Series Touring and Volvo V60, as well as other excellent options with a smidge less badge appeal, such as the Skoda Superb Estate and Volkswagen Passat.

It’s a bit like Jif changing its name to Cif, because it does the same job as before, just with a different name.

The design is a case of evolution rather than revolution. The A5 Avant is unmistakably Audi, with a wide grille, chunky headlights and a full-width rear light bar.

The interior has been overhauled, though. It’s the same concept as the Q6 e-tron electric car, with its ultra-wide twin-screen setup for the instrument display and infotainment. There’s even a third screen available as an optional extra ahead of the driver.

Under the bonnet is a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel. The entry-level petrol gets front-wheel drive, or you can upgrade for more power and all-wheel drive. The diesel is likely to appeal to those who do a lot of motorway miles, while the high-performance S5 Avant is available for those who want more excitement from their estate.

If you’re a company car driver you’ll have to wait for a plug-in hybrid or electric version of the A5 Avant to bring the Benefit in Kind rate down, or consider the Mercedes C-Class Estate or BMW 3 Series Touring hybrids. It’s worth noting that the electric version of the A5 Avant will actually be called A4 Avant because Audi is reserving even numbers for EVs and odd numbers for combustion-powered models.

This review will be updated with our verdict once we’ve driven it, but until then you can check out the latest Audi A5 Avant deals available through Carwow, or browse other used Audi cars available from our network of trusted dealers. You can sell your current car through Carwow, too.

The Audi A5 Avant costs about £2,000 more than the equivalent A5 saloon, but like that version, the A5 Avant sits in the middle of the estate versions of the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series.

The Skoda Superb Estate and Volkswagen Passat are something of a bargain by comparison. Both have smart interiors, though they’re nowhere near as high-tech as the A5 Avant, and neither has the Audi’s badge appeal, so choosing between them will come down to personal preference as much as budget.

The A5 Avant does at least come well-equipped as standard to justify the price tag, with adaptive cruise control, that fantastic twin-screen setup inside and leather upholstery all included on the entry-level Sport trim. Upgrade to S line and you get a sporty body kit and sports seats, while top-spec Edition 1 cars get Matrix LED headlights, a 360-degree camera, and big, 20-inch alloy wheels.