Audi’s freshly redesigned A5 sedan is barely a year old, yet the 2026 update already brings welcome changes that fix some early gripes while nudging the sticker price upward. The big news involves smarter cabin controls, a refreshed infotainment system, and a handful of features moving from the options sheet to the standard list.
- The 2026 Audi A5 starts at $50,200, a $500 bump over the previous model year.
- Physical scroll wheels replace the much-criticized capacitive touch sliders on the steering wheel.
- Premium Plus gains a standard dashcam, while Prestige adds rear emergency braking and a 3D surround-view camera.
What the 2026 A5 Costs
The 2026 A5 starts at $50,200, and the lineup tops out with the Prestige trim at $56,700. Premium Plus slots between the two. Base prices for both models rise just a bit, with the 2026 A5 running $500 more than its immediate predecessor. For a luxury compact with this much new content, a $500 increase feels pretty restrained.
Audi is keeping the trim structure simple. The redesigned 2026 Audi A5 comes in three flavors: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. All use a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard across the board, and the options sheet stays short.
The Cabin Tech Finally Makes Sense
Audi heard the complaints. The A5 and Q5 get a new steering wheel with a scroll wheel in place of the haptic pad. You also no longer have to dig through menus to reach the parking assists, since there’s a dedicated button for that now. Anyone who fumbled with the touch sliders in the 2025 car will appreciate the change immediately.
The screens got attention too. The biggest update for both the A5 and S5 is a redesigned infotainment system. Each of the three displays, the Audi virtual cockpit instrument cluster, MMI touchscreen display, and available passenger screen, has been cosmetically redesigned to better match the company’s smartphone app, making everything easier to read at a glance. The hardware carries over, so an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.5-inch touchscreen come standard.
What You Get at Each Trim Level
Audi sweetened the middle and upper trims with content that used to require extra cash. The A5 Premium Plus picks up the dashcam as standard equipment, while the formerly flagship-only Technology package’s head-up display and passenger screen are now optional for 2026. As before, the Prestige trim gets the tech pack standard, but new for 2026 is a 3D surround-view camera, an upgraded remote parking assist, and rear emergency braking.
The Premium Plus continues to be the sweet spot. For a modest price increase over the base Premium, you get a bunch of additional features and upgrades, including a dimmable panoramic sunroof, highway driving assist, a surround-view camera, premium audio, and a semi-automated parking system. Adding the $1,600 tech package gets you most of what the Prestige offers for thousands less.
Powertrain and Performance Stay the Course
Under the hood, nothing has changed. Power for the 2026 A5 comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The setup makes 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel drive are both standard. Expect a 0 to 60 mph time in the low 5-second range, which is plenty quick for a daily luxury sedan. Fuel economy lands at up to 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.
Ownership Perks Sweeten the Deal
Beyond the tech, Audi added a meaningful ownership benefit. The new three-year/30,000-mile complimentary scheduled maintenance program improves the ownership experience, while revised infotainment menus simplify the tech interface. Pair that with carryover safety gear like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise on Premium Plus, and full LED lighting, and the 2026 A5 feels more polished without needing a full redesign.
Are the 2026 Updates Worth the Bump?
If you’re choosing between a leftover 2025 and a new 2026, the answer leans toward the newer car. The redesigned steering wheel controls alone justify the $500 increase, and the dashcam, smoother infotainment, and free maintenance program pile on real value. Buyers eyeing the Prestige get the most new content thanks to the 3D camera and rear emergency braking. Audi has confirmed the 2026 models will reach dealers sometime during the first quarter of the year. For shoppers who don’t need every flagship feature, the Premium Plus with the Technology Package remains the smartest play in the lineup.
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