Audi simply dropped a brand new wagon – the A5 Avant. Whereas forbidden fruit for the US market, the longroof has shut competitors elsewhere. It contends with the brand new BMW 3 Collection Touring, which acquired average updates alongside the remainder of the mannequin’s physique kinds for the 2023 mannequin 12 months. For the reason that Audi A5 can also be formally changing the A4, it’s going to should be good – let’s see how the Avant stacks up in opposition to BMW’s workhorse 3 Collection Touring.
Exterior Design
Each the brand new 3 Collection and new A5 Avant provide good-looking entrance fascia designs. The Audi A5 Avant modifications issues up from final 12 months’s mannequin by sporting narrower headlights, bigger air ducts, and rather more pronounced hood strains. It’s total a way more aggressive look than the outgoing A4 Avant. The grille is tweaked, too, with a barely busier design. The three Collection Touring wears a entrance finish that’s quintessentially BMW. Historically styled kidney grilles be part of the model’s latest lighting signature for an awesome mixture of new-meets-old styling.
Each wagons look good from the facet and rear, too. The three Collection Touring appears to stretch a bit longer – thanks partly to the enduring Hofmeister Kink – whereas the A5 Touring involves a sharper level. Each tout good-looking alloy wheels of their press images, lending to an athletic look. Within the again, the Audi will get some devilishly cool LED lighting signatures that, honestly, put the three Collection to disgrace. Each have (fortunately) twin exhaust cutouts – hopefully, the A5’s are actual.
The A5 Touring appears lots angrier and extra fashionable than its predecessor. And the again of the automotive appears implausible. However the 3 Collection Touring is genuinely among the absolute best of present BMW design. So a tricky selection right here…a tie for us.
Inside Design
Typically, the brand new Audi A5 Avant follows newer BMW and Audi designs. An almost-invisible shifter, large dashboard-mounted display, and redesigned steering wheel modernize the Audi’s inside. Humorous sufficient, BMW made just about the identical modifications to the three Collection Touring throughout the mannequin’s refresh.
With regards to cargo area, the 2 are shut – the 3er presents as much as 1,510 liters of storage, whereas the A5 Avant boasts 1,424 liters. Total, the 2 are extra related than completely different. So, we’re gonna name this one a tie.
Efficiency
Each the three Collection Touring and the A5 Avant include higher-performance fashions—the M340i and S5 Avant, respectively. The M340i makes a bit bit extra energy from the vaunted B58 engine below the hood. Plus, each the A5 Avant and three Collection Touring have a beneficiant array of gasoline and diesel engine decisions.
Although the three Collection is usually the higher performer, the A5 Avant comes with one small benefit. Quattro all-wheel drive is commonplace on the brand new Audi wagon. After all, some might view that as a downgrade from the rear-wheel drive that every 3 Collection Touring comes with. We’re gonna with a tie once more since we now have not pushed the brand new S5 Avant but.
Expertise
Audi ditches its previous tiny screens for one thing that appears awfully just like what we see in new BMW fashions. The show includes an 11.9-inch digital cockpit (gauge cluster) and a 14.5-inch touchscreen centered within the cockpit. It presents acquainted facilities, too—navigation, wi-fi telephone connectivity, and so on. The A5 Avant does provide one thing BMW doesn’t but: a passenger-side display.
Each automobiles get related driver aids, like frontal collision warning and blind spot warning. It’s fairly shut right here; iDrive has a gorgeous and intuitive format. However, the brand new Audi MMI appears easy and appears fairly, too. Vendor’s selection on this one – we just like the familiarity of iDrive however can see why buyers prioritizing the newest and biggest tech may swing the opposite means.
What do you consider the brand new Audi A5 Avant?
