Der Kampf der Premium-Kombis: Audi A5 Avant stellt sich BMW 3er Touring und Mercedes C-Klasse T-Modell

The latest Audi A5 Avant is expected to shake up the German luxury station wagon market. Here's a preliminary comparison

Audi had shown a bit of stagnation in introducing new models in recent years, but now, it appears they're making a comeback. There's much more anticipated from them in the coming months.

Despite the compulsive electric optimism of their boss Gernot Döllner, who firmly believes that "the future of cars is undoubtedly electric," one of Audi's most significant models in the coming years will continue to burn gasoline in a rather ordinary fashion. We're referring, of course, to the new Audi A5, which made a rather impressive and attractive introduction at the beginning of the week.

Photo Gallery: Audi A5 Avant (2024)

The premium D-segment, a favorite among German car buyers, is finally seeing some action. Will the new A5 Avant, which is expected to account for 80 percent of all A5 purchases in Germany, hold its own against established rivals like the BMW 3 Series Touring and the Mercedes C-Class Estate? Let's embark on an early comparison.

Exterior

It's widely accepted that all three car manufacturers know how to create attractive station wagons. However, the latest A5 Avant distinguishes itself primarily with its cutting-edge lighting design. Whether the numerous customizable lighting options are a significant factor in the purchasing decision remains to be seen.

It's evident that the A5 has undergone significant growth, now measuring 4.83 meters in length, surpassing both the Benz and particularly the BMW. It also leads the pack with the longest wheelbase, which translates to a substantially more spacious interior than before. An initial seating test reveals that the Four Rings now offer the most rear passenger space.

Interior

The predecessor A4 definitely had some catching up to do in this area. While the interior quality was up to Audi's high standards, it's important to remember that by the end of its run it was nearly nine years old (having been launched in October 2015). And even the major overhaul is now five years in the past. Audi has really stepped up its game with the new A5 Avant when it comes to the design of the dashboard and the quality of the materials used.

The expertly crafted curved display, the addition of a new passenger display, and the design of the cockpit that envelops the front occupants have, in our opinion, established a new standard for style, sophistication, and quality. This is especially noteworthy considering that competitors like the 3 Series and C-Class have been on the market for several years.

The effectiveness of the operation will become clear in time. Despite the irritating touch buttons on the steering wheel, Mercedes is likely to score well due to its logical menu navigation and top-notch voice control. However, for us, BMW takes the lead with its blend of rotary push controls, touch functionality, and equally impressive voice control system.

Unfortunately, Audi has recently shifted to using capacitive steering wheel buttons, and has done away with actual buttons for climate control. However, the addition of a palm rest in front of the infotainment screen is a welcome feature. It makes for more stable and easier input. In the future, the voice assistant will incorporate assistance from ChatGPT.

With its increased size, the A5 Avant now offers the most legroom in the second row. However, its competitors have the upper hand when it comes to trunk space. In fact, the Audi provides slightly less than its predecessor. Additionally, there's no storage space beneath the trunk floor due to the placement of the 48-volt battery for the new Super Mild Hybrid system.

Propulsion Systems

The upcoming Audi A5 will feature the brand's latest Mild-Hybrid-Plus engines for the first time. These engines will be augmented by an electric motor located on the transmission output shaft, which provides an additional 24 horsepower and enables energy recovery of 25 kW. The energy storage unit, a lithium iron phosphate battery, boasts a capacity of 1.8 kWh. This setup is expected to save up to 0.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers and allows for purely electric operation during coasting and maneuvering. The entire system adds 65 kilograms to the vehicle's weight. As a result, the A5 operates efficiently across its entire performance range, maintaining optimal Lambda1 conditions – a key factor in meeting future emissions standards.

At launch, the lineup will include two 2.0-liter gasoline engines, a 2.0-liter TDI, and a 3.0-liter V6 powering the new S5 and S5 Avant. The entry-level gasoline model features front-wheel drive, while the S5 has all-wheel drive, with the other engines offering a choice between the two. All models are equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. By 2025, two four-cylinder plug-in hybrids are expected to join the range, promising an electric-only range of over 100 kilometers. For the upcoming RS 5, speculation suggests it will be powered by a V6 plug-in hybrid.

Photo Gallery: 2024 Audi S5 and 2024 Audi S5 Avant

The 3 Series continues to boast a rather extensive range of engine options. And let's face it: whether it's a four-cylinder or a six-cylinder, running on diesel or gasoline, it has consistently outperformed its rivals. An 8-speed automatic transmission has become the standard. Additionally, a good number of the engines are available with the option of xDrive all-wheel drive, alongside the traditional rear-wheel drive.

The current range of engines offered by Mercedes is known for being efficient yet lacking a sense of thrill. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board. Depending on the vehicle, there's an option for either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The choice to equip the latest C-Class with only four-cylinder engines remains a hot topic of debate. The recent introduction of the AMG C 63, which swapped the traditional V8 for a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid, has so far proven to be a disastrous failure.

Engine Capacity: 2.0 Liter with horsepower options of 150 and

3.0 Liter engine capacity: Produces

Engine Capacity: 2.0 Liter with outputs of 300 HP and

(Starting from the year

Engine Capacity of 2.0 Liters: Offers power outputs of 156 horsepower,

3.0 Liter: 374 horsepower, 510 horsepower

Engine Capacity of 2.0 Liters: Outputs of 150 and

Engine Capacity: 3.0 Liter with horsepower options of 286 or

Engine capacity of 2.0 liters with an output of 204 horsepower

Unfortunately

1.5 Liter engine: Offers 170 horsepower, also available with

Engine Capacity: 2.0 Liter with horsepower options of 258 and

Engine Capacity of 2.0 Liters: Available with horsepower options of 163,

I

Engine Capacity of 2.0 Liters: Outputs of 313 horsepower, 381 horsepower, and

2.0L Diesel Engine: 313 Horsepower

Pricing

For the latest A5 Avant, only the initial price point has been released. It begins just above €46,000 for the model featuring a 150-horsepower gasoline engine and front-wheel drive.

Additional Details on the A5

To acquire a BMW 3 Series Touring, one must spend at least 47,700 euros. This price will fetch you a 318i model equipped with 156 horsepower and an automatic transmission.

The starting price for a Mercedes is €49,516. This will get you a C 180 model equipped with a 170 horsepower mild hybrid engine and a 9-speed automatic transmission.

Photo Gallery: A Comparison of the Audi A5 Avant, BMW 3 Series Touring 2024, and Mercedes C-Class T-Model 2024

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