Audi A5 Avant – premium and stylish alternative to an SUV

Audi is one of those manufacturers who still make proper estates. The A5 Avant offers style, comfort, and practicality. There are also many power options available, including hybrid, diesel, and petrol.

You may not realize that estates are more practical than SUVs, which are usually bigger. A traditional estate car can accommodate longer loads better than an SUV.

The A5 Avant range starts at €52,555/£45,285 for the sport model with a 150PS petrol power-plant under the bonnet and a generous slice of standard equipment. On the base model, this includes heated front seat, heated, powered and dimming door mirrors, as well as LED lights, navigation and high beam assist.

Audi, like all automakers, has cut costs but still managed to produce cars with a premium feel and drive. There’s still the touchscreen, but the A5 does have some buttons. Driver annoyance features, sorry, assistance features, are easier to disable than in many cars, but you still have to do it every time you restart your car.

My Edition 1 model was quiet, efficient, economic and very comfortable on the road. Priced at €67,805/£58,425 it comes with niceties such as heated front and rear seats, power front seats, heated and electrically adjustable steering wheel, head-up display, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and start, wireless charging and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system as standard.

All models have a 7-speed automatic transmission with well-chosen gear ratios. The A5 Avant is able to smooth even the most rough roads. Audi’s 2.0-litre engine with 204PS is an absolute delight. Audi mild hybrid electric power returns an average of 53.3 mpg/54.4 km and emits only 138 g/km. It can go from 0 to 62mph/100kph in 7.7 secs, with a maximum speed of 239kph/149mph.

The Audi Avant range, and especially the A5, is a great choice if you are looking for a stylish holdall. The A5 offers a mix of power, impressive standard equipment and a premium feel.