The A5 is stepping up in Audi’s lineup, as it takes over for the A4 going forward, but it doesn’t enter the 2026 model year unscathed. The car retains an available performance model and offers better cargo space than the outgoing A4, making it a solid middle-ground vehicle between the A3 and the larger, more expensive A6.
2026 Audi A5 Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Audi A5
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Audi A5
The A5 Sportback was discontinued for the 2026 model year, leaving only the sedan. Audi redesigned the sedan in 2025, and it’s expected to receive no changes in 2026 as a result.
Design
The latest A5 design is less aggressive than earlier models, but it retains sporty dimensions and a somewhat aggressive stance. It features flush door handles, a modestly sized grille, and a handful of available wheel designs, depending on the model. The rear now features an LED lightbar and a new taillight design, but the look is clean and free of loud badges and logos.
Powertrain
The 2026 A5 comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, making 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The S5 gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that makes 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and both engines pair with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The base A5 is down on horsepower compared to the sportier S5, but it’s still pretty quick, at around 5.2 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard for both the A5 and S5.
Interior
The A5 seats five people on standard leather upholstery. Other standard features include heated and power-adjustable front seats, and Audi offers ventilated front seats and sport seats, depending on the model. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, and the rear seats offer decent head- and legroom, though taller adults may feel the pinch. Cargo space is also decent, at more than 22.5 cubic feet with the back seats upright, and the rear bench folds flat, which opens more storage space.
Technology
Audi equips an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.5-inch touchscreen as standard. The automaker’s Virtual Cockpit system also comes standard, offering a highly configurable display with a range of available information widgets. A 10.9-inch front-passenger display is available, which has music, climate, maps, and other information. Other available tech includes a head-up display, animated LED ambient interior lighting, and more.
Safety
The 2026 A5 hasn’t yet been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but it comes with a good number of standard features. The list includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and more. Audi also offers adaptive headlights, a surround-view camera system, parking assistance, and other features.
Pricing and Release Date
As of the time of this writing, Audi hasn’t priced the 2026 A5. It’s expected to be slightly more expensive than the 2025 A5, which started at $49,700. The 2025 S5 started at $62,700. The 2026 Audi A5 should begin arriving on dealers’ lots in early 2026.
