2025 Audi A5 Saloon e-hybrid [UK] - The Plug-in Pioneer

The executive saloon class is perhaps the most fiercely contested in the UK market, and the new-generation Audi A5 arrives with a crucial weapon: a powerful, long-range plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrain. Replacing the venerable A4, the 2025 Audi A5 Saloon e-hybrid is not just a refreshed model; it represents a significant strategic shift for the Four Rings, combining a sleek, fastback design with cutting-edge electrified efficiency tailored perfectly for the British motorist.

Performance and Powertrain: The Best of Both Worlds

The heart of the A5 e-hybrid is a meticulously engineered powertrain that finally brings a proper PHEV option to the core A-series line-up. It couples a 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged petrol engine with a potent electric motor, all channeled through Audi’s slick 7-speed S tronic automatic gearbox and, crucially for the UK's variable weather, the legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

The headline figure for the main e-hybrid model is a robust 299 PS (220 kW) of combined system power and a hefty 450 Nm of torque. This translates into genuinely brisk performance, with the sprint from 0-62 mph dispatched in a hot-hatch-baiting 5.9 seconds. What truly impresses, however, is the seamlessness of the power delivery. The electric motor, integrated into the gearbox, provides an immediate, all-in surge of torque, feeling distinctly EV-like off the line, before the petrol engine joins the party with minimal fuss. For the driver, selecting 'Dynamic' mode unleashes the full potential, delivering a satisfying shove that belies the car's efficiency focus.

Electric Range and Efficiency

For the pragmatic UK buyer—particularly the company car driver—the electric capability is the real game-changer. The A5 Saloon e-hybrid features a substantial high-voltage battery with a usable capacity of 20.7 kWh. This provides an official, impressive electric-only range of up to 68 miles (WLTP-combined), though real-world testing has consistently shown figures in the 60–65 mile bracket, which is still class-leading and more than sufficient for the average daily commute.

Electric Range (WLTP): 62–68 miles
Charging: 0-100% in as little as 2.5 hours via the increased 11 kW AC charging capacity.
Official Combined MPG: 109.0–141.3 mpg (dependent on charging frequency)
CO₂ Emissions (Combined): As low as 45 g/km (excellent for Benefit-in-Kind tax)

This combination of performance and efficiency makes the A5 e-hybrid a deeply appealing proposition, dramatically undercutting the running costs of its pure-petrol and diesel stablemates, especially for those with access to home or workplace charging.

On the Road: Refinement Over Raw Edge

Audi has nailed the brief for the UK's challenging road network. The A5’s ride quality strikes a near-perfect balance, favouring composed comfort and refinement over the outright agility of a BMW 3 Series. Even on larger 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels, the suspension remains impressively composed, shrugging off potholes and broken Tarmac with an assured solidity.

Motorway cruising is a serene affair. The cabin is exceptionally well-insulated, and the hybrid system’s ability to glide silently on electric power at urban speeds—and even briefly on the motorway—contributes to a genuinely premium, tranquil experience.

The steering possesses Audi's signature weighty, precise feel, offering confident handling through corners. While it may lack the granular feedback that enthusiast drivers seek from a BMW, the overall competency and reassuring grip afforded by the Quattro system ensure a safe, predictable, and thoroughly pleasant drive in all conditions. This is a car built for covering long distances in sophisticated comfort, and in that mission, it is an unqualified success.

Interior and Technology: Digital Dominance

Stepping inside the A5 e-hybrid is to enter a world dominated by high-resolution screens and luxurious materials. The new dashboard architecture is a clean break from the past, embracing a ‘digital-first’ philosophy.

MMI Navigation Plus: A massive, responsive 14.5-inch OLED touchscreen is the centrepiece, seamlessly curving into the driver's domain.
Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus: An 11.9-inch OLED digital instrument display provides crystal-clear, configurable driving information.

The reduction in physical buttons is noticeable—and might frustrate some traditional Audi owners who fondly recall the tactile, user-friendly climate controls of previous generations. While the touch-sensitive panel on the steering wheel can be fiddly, the main MMI system compensates with razor-sharp graphics, rapid responsiveness, and an intelligent voice assistant ("Hey Audi") that actually works. Premium touches like the soft-touch dashboard surfaces and precise fit-and-finish uphold Audi's reputation for quality, though a few minor plastic elements (like the fiddly door mirror controls) slightly let the side down.

Optional high-tech features are genuinely impressive, particularly on the top-spec Vorsprung trim, which adds the theatre of configurable OLED rear light signatures and the advanced Adaptive Cruise Assist Plus with steering intervention, making heavy motorway traffic almost effortless.

Practicality and UK Appeal

The new A5 Saloon is a five-door fastback, effectively replacing the old A4 Saloon and inheriting the practicality of the former A5 Sportback, which is a significant plus. The hatchback-style boot opening is much more usable than a traditional saloon boot.

However, the e-hybrid's battery placement has a notable impact on cargo space.

Standard A5 Saloon Boot: Generous 445 litres
A5 e-hybrid Saloon Boot: Reduced to 361 litres (or 331 litres depending on measurement standard), which is significantly less than the equivalent non-PHEV rivals.

While front and rear passenger space is generous, with improved rear legroom thanks to the longer wheelbase, the sloping fastback roofline means taller rear passengers in the Saloon may find headroom slightly restricted compared to its Avant estate sibling.

For the UK market, the A5 e-hybrid makes an exceptionally strong case:

Low Company Car Tax: The outstanding electric range and low CO₂ figures guarantee minimal BiK exposure for business users.
Motorway Refinement: The quiet, comfortable ride is ideally suited to long-distance British journeys.
Quattro: The all-wheel drive is a welcome bonus for providing confidence and traction on wet or icy roads.

UK Pricing and Verdict

Starting in the region of £48,950 for the entry-level e-hybrid model, rising through Sport, S line, and Edition 1, the 2025 Audi A5 Saloon e-hybrid is priced competitively against its key rivals like the BMW 330e and Mercedes C300e.

Verdict:

The 2025 Audi A5 Saloon e-hybrid is a formidable new entrant, succeeding the A4 with a compelling blend of sleek fastback styling and highly efficient plug-in hybrid technology. It sacrifices the ultimate handling verve of a BMW for a more refined, comfortable, and technically advanced experience. While the reduced boot space is a caveat for the e-hybrid variant, its class-leading electric range, low emissions, and superb cabin technology make it arguably the most sensible, sophisticated, and desirable choice in the premium PHEV saloon segment for the UK driver.

If your priorities are supreme comfort, high-tech luxury, and rock-bottom running costs for your commute, the A5 e-hybrid should be at the very top of your shortlist.