Audi A5 e-hybrid review: The best of both worlds?

Join us as we take a closer look at the Audi A5 e-hybrid, the intelligent hybrid promising the best of both worlds.

Audi's compact executive range has had a bit of a shuffle. The old A4 badge is gone, replaced by the A5 name, with a five-door hatchback saloon option or the traditional Avant estate to choose from.

And now there's a plug-in hybrid option too.

The A5 e-hybrid combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and 20.7kWh battery, delivering up to 66 miles of pure electric range and 299PS when both power sources work together.

In theory, it's the best of both worlds: zero-emission electric for daily commutes, with petrol power ready when you need to go further.

But Audi's arriving late to this particular party – BMW and Mercedes have been offering plug-in compact executives for years.

They're calling it their "intelligent hybrid system," promising clever tech that optimises electric and petrol power on the fly.

So, has it been worth the wait?

We took it for a proper drive to find out.

What we drove:

Model: Audi A5 Avant Technik e-hybrid quattro S tronic

Body Style: Estate

Power: Plug-in Hybrid Electric (299 PS)

Battery: 25.9 kWh

Range: Up to 66 miles (WLTP Comb)

Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds

Colour: Daytona Grey, Pearl Effect

Price from: £49,675

Specifications correct at the time of publication

Estate chic with a plug-in secret

Just from a glance, you can tell this is an Audi through and through.

The wide single-frame grille with aerodynamically shaped air inlets, flared wheel arches adding a sporty edge, and that full-width rear light bar stretching across the tailgate – it's unmistakably Audi.

The estate silhouette maintains that classic elegance while keeping the sporty proportions everyone knows and loves, and the PHEV components haven't compromised the design one bit.

It won't turn heads like something more exotic might – Audis are a staple on UK roads, after all – but it commands respect. There's something reassuring about one of the big German brands that's earned its reputation.

And here's the clever part: you wouldn't know it's a hybrid just from looking. It looks like any other A5, except for that second fuel flap on the opposite side – the one that plugs in to charge rather than fill up with petrol.

Flush door handles sit seamlessly into the bodywork, reducing drag while looking clean and modern. Our Daytona Grey Pearl Effect finish gave it a sophisticated, premium look without shouting about it.

Standard LED headlights do the job nicely, with optional Matrix LEDs offering eight selectable light signatures on higher trims.

Wheels range from 18 inches on Technik up to 20-inch Audi Sport alloys on Vorsprung.

The Audi A5 e-hybrid isn't a flashy statement piece. It's understated elegance that's recognisably premium without being pretentious or ostentatious – and that's exactly what many leasers in this segment are looking for.

Audi quality with trim-dependent quirks

Step inside and the premium feel continues. Soft-touch materials span the dashboard, door panels, and armrest, with that proper Audi build quality we all know and love.

There are fewer buttons than in other Audi models, but still enough to keep things intuitive and user-friendly.

Like the volume control knob? Thankfully, it still has that. Why some manufacturers have decided to remove it, we'll never know.

There's a curved screen setup wrapping around the driver, combining a 14.5-inch OLED infotainment touchscreen with an 11.9-inch OLED digital driver's display. The graphics are crisp and sharp, and the system is genuinely intuitive once you've spent a bit of time with it.

Audi's Virtual Cockpit Plus delivers configurable displays that show everything from navigation to hybrid system status, while the MMI Navigation Plus system brings Audi Connect, voice assistant ("Hey Audi"), app store integration, and smartphone connectivity.

Bluetooth pairing is impressively quick too. None of that frustrating waiting around for devices to recognise each other.

Underneath the screens sits a clean centre console with minimal button clutter and a wireless charging pad for your phone.

Here's where the trim-dependent quirks come in. Higher specs get a passenger touchscreen; a nice touch that lets your co-pilot control media or check navigation without reaching over.

But on our base Technik trim, instead of removing this feature and maintaining the soft-touch materials across the dash, Audi's opted for cheap-feeling plastic in that space. It's a cost-cutting move that feels at odds with a car costing nearly £50,000.

Manual seat adjustment on Technik also feels a bit mean for this price point, though heated front sport seats come as standard across the range – a welcome touch.

S line and above upgrade to twin leather sport seats with contrast stitching, plus you get that far superior flat-top-and-bottom steering wheel that's much nicer to hold than the oversized standard one.

Ambient lighting is available with 30 different colours to choose from – talk about setting the mood.

Tech features are generous: Park Assist Plus (the car handles parking manoeuvres for you), rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, and three-zone climate control all come as standard. You can even pre-heat or cool the car via the myAudi app before you set off, which is genuinely useful for British weather.

The cabin is very spacious overall, with good legroom and headroom in the rear meaning three adults (even those in the six-foot-and-over club) will fit comfortably. There's thoughtful storage throughout too, with decent door bins and cupholders keeping everyday items within easy reach.

And speaking of storage, the boot is pretty good too.

361 litres, to be precise, expanding to 1,306 litres with the rear seats folded down. While this is less than the 448 litres in the non-PHEV Avant (the battery has to go somewhere), it's still more than enough for weekly shops, sports kit, and all of life's bits and bobs.

Plus with the power-operated tailgate as standard, loading and unloading is effortless.

It's a genuinely premium cabin with smart technology and generous space – just be aware that the base Technik trim shows some cost-cutting that higher specs cleverly hide.

Punchy hybrid that knows when to switch

It's an Audi, it's powerful, and the intelligent hybrid system makes the transition between electric and petrol power impressively seamless.

You can feel when the petrol engine kicks in, but it's smooth and refined rather than jarring.

We mentioned that intelligent hybrid system – but what exactly is it?

Well, it uses navigation data to optimise the electric and petrol balance, maximising every drop of fuel (and every kilowatt of battery) to get you where you need to go as efficiently as possible.

Planning a longer route? The system will strategically use battery power where it makes most sense – like pure electric through town centres, then petrol on faster A-roads.

You're also in control.

Set a battery reserve level and the system won't dip below it, saving that precious EV range for emission-free driving when you reach your destination. It's genuinely clever tech that actually makes a difference to real-world efficiency.

Performance-wise, 299PS delivers 0-62mph in just 5.9 seconds – properly nippy when you need it. That instant EV torque makes overtaking and merging effortless, with smooth, refined power delivery throughout.

The ride quality is impressive too.

It soaks up bumps well, delivering comfortable and composed handling that makes long motorway stretches feel effortless. Adaptive cruise control (when optioned) only adds to that relaxed refinement.

Quattro all-wheel drive provides reassuring traction in all conditions, giving you confidence even when roads get slippery.

Let's be honest though: there's some EV motor whirring when accelerating and slowing down. It's characteristic electric noise; not silent, but not intrusive either.

The regenerative braking is also quite firm initially. If you're new to EVs or PHEVs, it takes a few drives to adjust to that stronger bite when you lift off the throttle.

It's competent rather than exciting. But here's the thing: it's not trying to be a sports car. It's a classy, comfortable estate that knows exactly what it is and does that job brilliantly.

Going the distance? Range and charging

On electric only, the Audi A5 e-hybrid manages up to 66 miles (WLTP Comb). That's genuinely useful for daily commutes and local errands – enough to cover most people's daily driving without burning a drop of petrol.

Combine this with the petrol engine and you get an official 141mpg, keeping your money where it belongs. In your wallet rather than at the pumps.

Here's where it gets interesting though: even with an empty battery running purely on petrol, the A5 e-hybrid still manages 43.5mpg. That's genuinely impressive stuff.

When it does come to charging, the A5 e-hybrid supports AC charging up to 11kW. With a three-phase supply (admittedly rare in the UK), you're looking at a full charge in just 2.5 hours.

More realistically, a standard 7kW home wallbox will have you fully charged in around 3.5-4 hours.

There's no DC rapid charging capability like you'll find in the Mercedes C 300 e, but honestly? For a plug-in hybrid designed primarily for home charging and daily electric driving, most owners won't miss it. Plug in when you get home, wake up to a full battery, repeat.

And with a heat pump as standard, it helps preserve range in colder weather (which is most of the time in Britain, let's be honest). It uses waste heat from the motor and battery to warm the cabin rather than draining the battery, making sure there's minimal waste and maximum efficiency when temperatures drop.

From a company car perspective, it makes a pretty compelling case too.

Sitting in the 9% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax bracket for 2025/26, it's significantly cheaper to run as a company car than petrol or diesel alternatives.

The reality? If you can charge at home regularly and do less than 50-60 miles most days, the A5 e-hybrid's range makes perfect sense. You'll drive predominantly on electric, with petrol there as backup for longer trips. That's exactly what a plug-in hybrid should be.

What's good, and what's not

The Audi A5 e-hybrid delivers plenty to love, but there are a few quirks worth knowing about before you sign on the dotted line.

The good bits:

• Intelligent hybrid system maximising range
• Heat pump as standard to enhance efficiency
• Smooth, seamless transitions between electric and petrol power
• Understated, classy styling that commands respect
• Physical volume control knob (praise be!)

The not-so-good bits:

• Some cost-cutting on base Technik trim that feels cheap
• Arriving late to PHEV party
• Competent rather than exciting to drive
• Firm regenerative braking takes getting used to
• No DC rapid charging capability (AC only)

What's the verdict?

Audi is finally filling that big ol’ PHEV gap in the compact executive range – but is it worth the wait?

Better late than never, we’d argue. The Audi A5 e-hybrid isn’t groundbreaking, but it makes a genuinely good hybrid. It can only go up from here.

Does it deliver the best of both worlds? For most daily driving, yes.

That 66-mile electric range (WLTP Comb) covers commutes without touching petrol, while the intelligent system seamlessly brings the engine in when needed.

It's smooth, refined, and genuinely practical – exactly what a plug-in hybrid should be.

Top 5 reasons to consider the Audi A5 e-hybrid:

1. Intelligent hybrid system uses navigation data to maximise efficiency
2. 66 miles of electric range (WLTP Comb) covers most daily commutes
3. Premium Audi quality with spacious estate practicality
4. Impressive 43.5mpg even with empty battery
5. 9% BIK company car tax bracket saves business users money

Would we recommend leasing an Audi A5 e-hybrid?

Absolutely – especially if you're a company car driver or someone doing regular short commutes with the occasional longer trip.

The intelligent hybrid system genuinely works, that 66-mile electric range covers most daily driving without touching petrol, and you get all the premium Audi quality and practicality you'd expect from an estate in this class.

Yes, it's arrived late to the party. Yes, the base Technik trim shows some cost-cutting. And yes, it's more sensible than exciting.

But for the right driver – someone who values refinement over engagement, has home charging access, and wants that "best of both worlds" plug-in flexibility – the A5 e-hybrid makes a lot of sense.

It's not groundbreaking, but it's a solid, well-executed PHEV that does exactly what it promises.