FACT spent four days with the 2025 Audi A5 across Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The all-new Audi A5 is the newest version of the A4. While it may not have the raw drama of Audi’s RS models or the sci-fi allure of the e-tron GT, it plays a different role, offering a stylish, understated sedan that fits effortlessly into everyday life while still offering the premium touch Audi is known for.
Design
In a city like Dubai, where Lamborghinis prowl the Marina and G-Wagons line hotel entrances, the Audi A5 feels refreshingly restrained. Its redesigned grille, sleek bumper inserts, and S-line exterior trim give it just enough edge without tipping into flash. The 20-inch Audi Sport wheels in gloss-turned black fill the arches with purpose, while details like the dark chrome tailpipes and black mirror housings hint at sportiness.
At night, the Matrix LED headlights are the stars of the show. Their animated sequences played out like a miniature light performance every time we approached, a subtle flourish that had passersby glancing twice at what they first thought was “just another Audi.”
Interior
Slipping inside, the Audi A5 enveloped us in a cabin that strikes a balance between sport and serenity. The flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters feels instantly driver-focused, while the sport seats, with their distinctive stitching, manage to be firm enough for spirited driving yet comfortable in stop-and-go traffic.
The cabin’s centrepiece is the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus, a digital instrument cluster that can be customised to show navigation, performance, or classic dials in crisp HD. It paired seamlessly with the 10.9-inch MMI display, which kept us on track through Dubai’s dense cityscape, allowing the passenger to handle media without fuss or cluttering the central screen. Unlike some rivals, Audi’s interface feels intuitive and restrained.
On our night drives, the ambient lighting package cast a subtle glow across the dashboard and doors, creating a lounge-like feel. One of our favourite features was the digital (or at least that was the impression it gave us) panoramic glass roof, which gave the interior a bright, airy feel during the day, and turned the cabin into a rolling observation deck for the city lights at night.
Comfort
If there’s one test that matters in the UAE, it’s air-conditioning. The Audi A5’s three-zone deluxe automatic system was nothing short of excellent. Whether the car had been baking on the Corniche car park or idling in Marina traffic, it cooled the cabin quickly and kept it there. Even with the panoramic glass roof overhead, the climate control held its own — a small but essential detail that makes or breaks a car in this region.
Performance
Under the hood, the A5 packs a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 204 hp and 340 Nm of torque. It’s paired with a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox and front-wheel drive, suitable for a 0–100 km/h time of 7.8 seconds and a top speed of 248 km/h.
The car felt responsive and easy to manoeuvre in Dubai’s daily traffic, with the gearbox snapping through shifts smoothly. On the highway to Abu Dhabi, it settled into a composed cruiser, the engine barely audible as the kilometres disappeared.
Switching into Sport mode sharpened the throttle and gearbox response, adding some drama, but here was the only real letdown: we expected more urgency. Compared to the 255 hp BMW 330i, the Audi felt more composed than playful. But that’s not to say it was slow; it was just tuned for refinement, not provocation.
Everyday Practicality
The Audi A5 isn’t just about looking good and driving well — it’s about fitting into daily routines. The liftback design makes loading luggage easier than in a traditional sedan, and for our four-day test drive, it swallowed gym and work bags for two with space to spare.
In the cabin, storage is sensible, with well-sized cup holders and practical door bins. Rear passengers may not enjoy limousine legroom, but for city trips and occasional longer rides, it’s more than sufficient.
The Verdict
After four days across two emirates, the Audi A5 revealed itself as a car that thrives not by shouting the loudest, but by making everyday life smoother. It kept us cool in punishing heat, comfortable through traffic, and calm on long highways. It looked sharp without screaming for attention, and its digital interior made every journey feel modern.
It may not be the most athletic or the most glamorous in its class, but it might be the most livable. For professionals, couples, or anyone who wants understated luxury that doesn’t tire you out, the A5 is a companion that works as hard during the week as it does on the weekend getaway. Not the flashiest. Not the fastest. But precisely the kind of car that fits seamlessly into life in the UAE.
GO: Visit https://www.audiusa.com/en/ for more information.