Audi A5 Review: Why It’s Better Than a BMW 3 Series in 2026

Check out the best Audi A5 deals on carwow: https://bit.ly/Buy-Sell-WOW Is the all-new Audi A5 actually better than the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class in 2026, or is the lack of physical buttons a dealbreaker? Mat Watson is getting stuck into the 2026 UK Car of the Year finalist to see if the radical three-screen interior, 66-mile hybrid range, and—miraculously—REAL exhaust tips make it the new executive king! We’re putting the 204hp TDI Diesel and the new e-hybrid to the test to see if Audi’s "Screen Overkill" is actually usable in the real world, and finding out if the hatchback (oops, "sedan") boot is actually as practical as a BMW 3 Series. From the OLED customisable lights to the "scratchy plastic" quality check, here is the definitive truth on the car that replaced the Audi A4! Chapters 00:00 Intro: Why did the A4 become the A5? 00:37 Design: Real exhausts and customisable OLED lights! 01:34 Price Check: Why it undercuts the Mercedes C-Class 02:10 Performance: 204hp TDI vs the 66-mile Hybrid 02:45 0-60mph: Mat tests the real-world pace 03:55 Brake Test: Can a 1.9-tonne Audi stop on a dime? 05:10 Quality Test: Where did Audi cut the costs? 05:55 Interior Truth: Three screens and NO buttons? 08:54 Back Seats: More legroom than a C-Class, but... 10:22 Comfort Test: Is it as smooth as a Mercedes? 12:46 Boot Space: Why the 445L "Hatchback" is a win 15:06 Driving: More refined than a BMW 3 Series? 19:01 The Verdict: Should you buy, sell or avoid? Sell your car for free with Carwow: https://bit.ly/Sell-Your-Car-For-Free-2002 Check out Mat's preferred trim & engine for each car: https://bit.ly/Mats-Engine-Choice