2026 Audi A5

When is an Audi A4 not an A4? When it's the next-generation Audi A5. Set to arrive in the U.S. next spring, Audi's long-running compact sedan will change its name from A4 to A5. Why? It's simple: Gas models use odd numbers; fully electric models use evens. 

So ... A5, not A4?

Interestingly, though, this will also mark the death of the two-door A5 models as we know them; the coupe and convertible body styles were discontinued for 2025 and we don't expect them to return for 2026. Same goes for the A4 Allroad wagon. The A5 Sportback will be also be discontinued, though only in name only. The next-generation A5 — again, the A4 replacement — will have a hatchback despite being called a sedan. We're totally cool with this change; a power hatch means the 2026 A5 will be far more functional than the outgoing A4, with rear seats that fold down for even more cargo space. Other countries outside the U.S. will get a proper A5 Avant, but don't hold your breath for that ever coming to North America.

Compared to the current A4, the 2026 A5 sedan is 2.6 inches longer, 0.5 inch wider and 0.9 inch taller, with a 2.7-inch-longer wheelbase that directly benefits rear legroom. There's a longer dash-to-axle ratio for better overall proportions, and the beltline is lower, too. Overall, it's a good look. The A4 is dead; long live the A5.

What's under the hood?

Full U.S. market specs won't be available for a few more months, but the sad news is that we aren't getting any of the mild hybrid powertrains offered abroad. Instead, we get a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 268 horsepower and an unspecified amount of torque, paired with standard Quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Audi says the A5 will have a wider spread between their comfort and sport drive modes, and it will use stiffer suspension mounts up front for better road feel. The A5 should have 18-inch, 19-inch and 20-inch wheel options.

Another exciting development: The exhaust tips are real. Audi got flamed for the faux tips on some of its current cars but is rectifying this. The A5 uses large dual outlets that look pretty good.

How's the A5's interior?

The interior takes a lot of cues from the new Audi Q6 E-tron — namely, the large curved display that houses the 14.5-inch infotainment screen and 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster. To the right of that, front passengers get their very own 10.9-inch display, and if they're watching videos or playing games while driving, a special coating makes it so the driver won't be distracted.

A larger head-up display is also part of the A5's tech suite, as is natural-speech AI assistant powered by — deep breath — ChatGPT. In fact, the AI tech can proactively suggest things to you while driving. Do you always turn on your heated seat when it's below a certain temperature? AI will chime in and ask if you want it on should the ambient temperature drop.

Coming next year

The new Audi A5 will go on sale in Europe before the end of 2024 but won't be available in the U.S. until spring or summer 2025. We don't expect pricing to change too much; expect the A5 to start in the low $40,000s.

What's in a name? Hopefully, not much. The new A5 is everything we've always liked about the A4, spiffed up for modern times.