Audi A5 vs Acura TLX

The redesigned 2025 Audi A5 compact luxury car takes on a more important role in the luxury brand’s lineup. The coupe and convertible body styles are gone, leaving only a five-door hatchback akin to the previous-generation A5 Sportback (Europe gets an A5 Avant wagon as well). That model also happened to be Audi’s bestselling non-SUV in 2024, so the new A5 also replaces the slower-selling A4 sedan as Audi’s answer to the Alfa Romeo Giulia, BMW 3 Series, Cadillac CT4, Genesis G70, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Lexus IS.

Verdict: The new Audi A5 impresses with tech, handling poise, and practicality, but represents a significant effective price increase for returning Audi customers.

The 2024 Acura TLX introduces a handsome new grille and some bigger screens, but it retains the same chassis and powertrains as the 2023 model. The base trim is no longer available, and the lowest-level Technology Package sits some $5,000 above the older models’ starting price. Available with either a turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a turbo V6 in the speedy Type S trim, the TLX puts performance first, practicality second.

Verdict: It’s weirdly sized, looking like a midsize sedan on the outside but feeling like a compact sedan on the inside, but the TLX is an excellent performer. Overall, it’s a great choice for shoppers looking to buy a sports sedan on a budget.