2025 Audi A5 and S5 First Drive: The Liftback That Changes Everything
The moment I slipped behind the wheel of the 2025 Audi A5 at Space Gallery in Denver, one thing became crystal clear: this isn’t your typical model year update. Audi has fundamentally reimagined what a mid-size sedan can be, and the results are immediately apparent from the driver’s seat. Gone are the days of choosing between the A4 sedan and A5 Sportback. The German automaker has consolidated its mid-size offerings into a single, compelling package that redefines the entire category through its innovative liftback design.
My first impression stepping into the cabin was the sheer spaciousness. The new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture delivers on its promises with noticeably more room in every direction. Rear passengers get an extra inch of legroom, while I enjoyed 1.6 inches more shoulder room up front. The 2.6-inch wheelbase stretch translates into real-world comfort improvements that you feel immediately. But the real revelation comes when you pop the rear hatch and discover 22.6 cubic feet of cargo space that expands to 36.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. This liftback configuration gives you genuine hatchback utility wrapped in sedan sophistication.
Power That Delivers: Engine Performance Through Colorado Mountains
Firing up the 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder in the base A5 immediately reveals the 67-horsepower increase over the previous generation. The engine now produces 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and you feel every bit of that improvement as we pulled away from Denver’s Space Gallery for our 59-mile, 1.31-hour route toward Idaho Springs. Acceleration from 0-60 mph takes just 5.6 seconds, nearly a full second faster than before. The seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission responds crisply to throttle inputs as we began climbing through Clear Creek Canyon on I-70.
The A5 proved particularly well-suited to Colorado’s demanding mountain terrain. As we climbed from Denver’s 5,280-foot elevation toward Idaho Springs at 7,540 feet, the TFSI engine maintained strong power delivery despite the thinning air. The quattro all-wheel drive system managed the varying road surfaces without drama, providing confidence-inspiring traction through both the highway sections and the more challenging mountain curves leading to our vehicle change point at Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs.
The transition to the S5 at Idaho Springs revealed an entirely different character for our extended 139-mile, 3.51-hour route to Aspen. The 3.0-liter TFSI V6 delivers 362 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque through the same dual-clutch transmission, expanding the performance envelope significantly. Power delivery feels effortless and linear throughout the rev range, crucial for the high-altitude driving ahead. The 0-60 mph sprint drops to 4.3 seconds, and the standard sport rear differential makes itself known through the challenging mountain passes between Idaho Springs and Leadville.
High Altitude Performance: Idaho Springs to Leadville Challenge
The route from Idaho Springs to our driver change point at Tennessee Pass Cafe in Leadville represents one of the most demanding drives in North America. This 68.5-mile section climbs from 7,540 feet to Leadville’s 10,152 feet elevation, making it the highest incorporated city in the United States. The S5’s V6 engine proved its mettle through this challenging terrain, maintaining strong power output even as the air density dropped significantly.
The route likely took us over one of Colorado’s high mountain passes, with elevations reaching above 12,000 feet. The S5’s sport rear differential became particularly valuable during the more dynamic sections of mountain driving, actively managing torque distribution between the rear wheels. This technology works in coordination with the quattro all-wheel drive to provide enhanced traction during acceleration while improving stability through the tight mountain curves that characterize Colorado’s high country.
During our climb toward Leadville, the A5 and S5’s suspension tuning proved ideal for the mix of smooth highway sections and rougher mountain roads. The system prioritizes long-distance comfort while providing adequate feedback for the demanding curves and elevation changes. The steering precision receives notable improvements through the new PPC architecture, delivering clear communication about road conditions without becoming heavy or artificial, crucial when navigating mountain passes where precision matters.
Mountain Town Character: Leadville to Aspen Finale
The final leg from Leadville’s Tennessee Pass Cafe to The Little Nell in Aspen showcased the S5’s capabilities through some of Colorado’s most scenic and challenging driving roads. Whether taking Independence Pass or alternate mountain routes, this section demands both power and precision from any vehicle attempting the journey. The S5’s 362 horsepower and advanced chassis dynamics proved more than capable of handling the demanding terrain.
Aspen sits at 7,908 feet elevation, requiring another significant descent from Leadville’s lofty perch. The S5’s braking system and chassis control systems managed the elevation changes with composure, maintaining stability and confidence through the varying road conditions that characterize high-altitude mountain driving. The sport rear differential’s active torque management became particularly noticeable during the more aggressive sections of mountain road, providing enhanced control and stability.
Design That Works: Form and Function in Mountain Settings
The exterior design immediately catches your attention with its clean, purposeful lines, particularly striking against the backdrop of Colorado’s dramatic mountain landscape. The liftback profile creates an almost coupe-like silhouette while maintaining the practical advantages of a five-door configuration. The wider, flatter Singleframe grille dominates the front fascia with its three-dimensional honeycomb structure, while slim headlights create a focused, determined expression that looks right at home in Colorado’s upscale mountain towns.
Those fender blisters emanating from the front and rear shoulders aren’t just styling exercises. They pay homage to the legendary Ur-Quattro while creating a powerful shoulder line that emphasizes the car’s width and stance. The flush door handles contribute to aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining the clean lines that define modern Audi design. Every element serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, creating vehicles that look as comfortable at The Little Nell in Aspen as they do navigating Denver’s urban environment.
Technology Integration: Perfect for Mountain Navigation
The Digital Stage immediately commands attention when you settle into the driver’s seat. This curved OLED display system consists of an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and 14.5-inch MMI center display, with an optional 10.9-inch passenger display available. The curved design creates an immersive experience while keeping all controls within easy reach. During our mountain drive, the OLED technology delivered true black contrast and vibrant colors that remained clearly visible even in Colorado’s intense high-altitude sunlight.
The “Hey Audi” voice control system proved particularly useful during our challenging mountain route. The system responds to over 800 commands with impressive accuracy, allowing us to request navigation to specific mountain towns, adjust climate settings, and control entertainment functions without taking hands off the wheel. This capability becomes especially valuable when navigating complex mountain routes where manual address entry would be dangerous.
The head-up display receives updates that improve visibility with polarized sunglasses, addressing a common complaint about previous systems. During our bright mountain drive through Colorado’s high country, the display provided clear information about navigation directions to various mountain destinations, vehicle speed, and system alerts without requiring us to look away from the demanding road ahead.
An available variable light control panoramic glass roof adds another dimension to the technology experience. This innovative system features six liquid crystal panels that can be selectively dimmed, allowing occupants to control the amount of natural light entering the cabin. During our Colorado mountain drive, this technology proved particularly valuable as we transitioned from the bright valley floor near Denver to the intense high-altitude sunlight around Leadville and back down to Aspen. The ability to adjust individual panels means front and rear passengers can customize their lighting preferences independently, creating optimal comfort conditions regardless of the sun’s position or intensity.
The available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system transforms the cabin into a concert hall with up to 810 watts of power distributed through 20 loudspeakers. Four speakers integrated into the optional front sports seat headrests create a unique audio experience that can deliver navigation prompts directly to the driver without disturbing other passengers. During phone calls, this headrest speaker system provides privacy by containing audio within the driver’s immediate area. The 3D sound technology proved particularly impressive during our mountain drive, creating an immersive audio environment that enhanced the scenic journey through Colorado’s dramatic landscapes.
The mobile device key functionality eliminates the need for traditional keys entirely. This system allows you to unlock, start, and operate the vehicle using your smartphone, with a backup valet key card stored inside the vehicle for situations where you need to provide access without sharing your phone. During our multi-stop mountain route, this technology proved convenient for quick driver changes and secure vehicle access at various mountain towns.
Comfort Through Altitude Changes: Climate and Storage
The three-zone climate control system proved essential during our extended drive through Colorado’s varying elevations and microclimates. As we moved from Denver’s mile-high starting point to Leadville’s rarefied air and back down to Aspen’s elevation, the system allowed rear passengers to maintain their preferred temperature settings independently of the front occupants. Combined with optional heated rear seats, this ensures comfort for all passengers regardless of the dramatic elevation and temperature changes throughout Colorado’s mountains.
Storage solutions throughout the cabin address the practical needs of mountain touring while maintaining the upscale appearance throughout the cabin. The center armrest houses the largest storage compartment, perfect for storing mountain gear or travel essentials. Additional space in door panels and a dedicated phone charging area proved useful during our multi-stop mountain journey. The cooled wireless charging pad provides 15 watts of power while preventing devices from overheating during extended use in Colorado’s intense mountain sunlight. USB-C ports deliver substantial power with two front ports providing up to 60 watts and two rear ports delivering up to 100 watts for rapid device charging.
The liftback design’s 22.6 cubic feet of cargo space easily accommodated mountain gear and luggage, expanding to 36.6 cubic feet when needed for larger equipment. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats provide maximum versatility for different cargo configurations, while rear seat fore and aft adjustment offers four inches of travel to optimize either cargo space or passenger legroom depending on needs. A convenient loading mode lowers the vehicle at the touch of a button inside the trunk, making it easier to load heavy mountain equipment or luggage.
For those planning to tow mountain toys, both A5 and S5 models offer 4,400 pounds of towing capacity, sufficient for bike trailers, small boats, or lightweight camping trailers. Available roof carriers and bike carriers expand the utility for active mountain lifestyles, while the standard all-season run-flat tires eliminate the need for a spare tire, maximizing cargo space while providing peace of mind during remote mountain driving.
Safety Through Mountain Roads
The comprehensive safety suite proved valuable during our mountain drive, particularly the advanced traction and stability systems that work with the quattro all-wheel drive. These systems became especially important during the high-altitude sections where road conditions can change rapidly and margin for error decreases significantly. The integration of these systems creates multiple layers of protection that address the unique challenges of mountain driving.
The comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems includes rear parking aid with distance display, traffic-sign-based adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, efficiency assistant, traffic sign recognition, and attention and drowsiness assistant. Park Assist plus and Rear Turn Assist proved helpful during mountain town stops, while Active Front Assist combines Front Emergency Brake Assist, Evasion Assist, Turn Assist, and Front Cross Traffic Assist for enhanced safety during challenging mountain driving conditions.
Nine airbags come standard across the lineup, while electric child safety locks can be activated or deactivated from the smart door panel without requiring physical manipulation at each door. The sensor array enables parking assistance that proved helpful at crowded mountain town destinations, while lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control functions reduced driver fatigue during the longer stretches of our mountain journey.
Drive select modes allow customization of the driving experience for different mountain conditions. The system defaults to Balance mode for everyday driving, but Dynamic mode proved valuable during the more spirited sections of our route, while Comfort mode enhanced long-distance cruising comfort. Off-road modes become useful for exploring unpaved mountain access roads, while the loading mode simplifies cargo management at various stops.
Market Position and Mountain Town Appeal
The 2025 Audi A5 family enters a segment dominated by the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and Alfa Romeo Giulia. Its liftback configuration gives it a practical edge, particularly for Colorado’s mountain communities where versatility and style both matter. The blend of quattro all-wheel drive, refined cabin finishes, and expansive cargo access aligns well with lifestyle demands from Aspen to Breckenridge.
The A5 range opens with the Premium trim at $49,700. It delivers 268 horsepower from a TFSI four-cylinder engine, 18-inch wheels, and Audi’s full-width curved OLED Digital Stage display. Stepping up to the Premium Plus at $53,300 adds sport seats and advanced features, while the Prestige trim at $56,150 introduces eight customizable digital LED running light signatures and the latest OLED taillight technology.
Buyers prioritizing dynamics can opt for the S5 series, starting with the Premium trim at $62,700 with a 362-horsepower V6, sport rear differential, 19-inch wheels, and sport seats. Premium Plus at $66,500 gains additional features and upgraded appointments, while the Prestige trim at $70,250 includes enhanced lighting technology and exclusive wheel finish options.
Color and interior selections reflect the varied tastes of buyers who split their time between trailheads and upscale resort towns. Multiple paint choices are available across the lineup, with exclusive colors reserved for higher trims. Interior options include various color combinations, with the S5 Prestige offering distinctive color schemes that underscore the model’s performance intent.
With 22.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 36.6 with the rear seats folded, the A5 and S5 retain genuine practicality across the board. Whether stepping in at $49,700 or topping out at $70,250, each model balances form and function for those who want performance driving without compromising utility. All trims arrive at U.S. dealerships by the end of Q2 2025, just ahead of Colorado’s high-altitude summer season. Pricing excludes destination, taxes, and fees.
Final Verdict: Perfect for Colorado Mountain Living
The 2025 Audi A5 and S5 represent a significant evolution in upscale sedan design and functionality, particularly well-suited to the demands of mountain driving and lifestyle. Our drive through Colorado’s challenging terrain from Denver to Aspen demonstrated how the liftback configuration successfully combines traditional sedan appeal with hatchback practicality, creating vehicles that serve multiple purposes without compromise.
The substantial performance improvements, advanced technology integration, and enhanced interior space address previous limitations while maintaining the refined character that fits perfectly in mountain town settings. For customers seeking high-end vehicles that combine refined design with practical functionality, the 2025 A5 family offers a unique solution that differentiates itself from traditional sedan offerings.
The advanced technology, improved performance, and versatile cargo capabilities create vehicles that adapt perfectly to mountain lifestyle needs while maintaining the prestige and refinement that upscale car buyers expect. Our Colorado mountain experience confirmed that this approach may well define the future direction of the upscale sedan segment as manufacturers seek to create vehicles that serve multiple purposes in an increasingly diverse automotive marketplace.
