This is what domestic automotive journalists said after test-driving the newly released Audi midsize sedan A5. The local press agreed that, in an era dominated by electric and hybrid vehicles, the A5 allowed them to rediscover the appeal of internal combustion engine cars.

The third-generation Audi A5 has returned as a fully redesigned model after eight years. It features the latest platform and digital technologies, while retaining Audi's signature internal combustion engine expertise. Industry experts have praised the A5 for reaffirming its technological completeness and driving sensibility as a "state-of-the-art internal combustion engine vehicle." To see the limits of Audi's internal combustion technology, we test-drove the Audi A5 40 TFSI Quattro S line Black Edition in the Paju area of Gyeonggi Province.

The exterior design is striking, with a sleek sportback-style roofline and a robust body. In particular, Audi's unique sporty yet sophisticated design stands out. The new A5 is larger than the previous model, with the length increased by 65 mm, the width by 15 mm, and the height by 25 mm. It definitely appears larger than its competitors, such as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 3 Series.

The wheelbase, which determines the size of the interior space (the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels), is 2,892 mm. This is up to 40 mm longer than competing models. While 40 mm may not seem like a big difference, in midsize or smaller vehicles where interior space is compact, even a 10 mm difference can feel significant. For second-row passengers, an extra 40 mm of space makes for a much more comfortable ride.

The reason Audi was able to increase the body and interior space is thanks to the newly introduced "PPC (Premium Platform Combustion)." This platform was newly developed by Audi specifically for internal combustion and hybrid models. The new A5 is the first model from Audi to use the PPC platform.

Another strength of the A5 is the trunk with a rear window that opens together. First, the trunk space itself is spacious. The trunk capacity, which was 445 liters, increases to over 700 liters when the rear seats in the second row are folded down. Also, since the rear window opens together, it is convenient to load and unload large items. There is the advantage of not having to bend down much when loading luggage. Although it is a midsize sedan, the usability of the rear seats and trunk is very good. It seems suitable as a family car for a family of about three without any difficulty.

I sat in the driver's seat and took it for a spin. The sedan's characteristic stable ride, combined with Audi's handling, made for a refreshingly lively driving experience. Because the body is definitely smaller than that of large vehicles or SUVs, it was also convenient to drive through narrow alleys or winding underground parking lot passages in shopping centers.

The "A5 40 TFSI Quattro S line Black Edition" I test-drove is equipped with a gasoline engine delivering a maximum output of 204 horsepower and a maximum torque of 34.67 kg·m. The official combined fuel efficiency is 10.8 km/l. In real-world driving, fuel efficiency varied greatly depending on the situation, but on average, it recorded around 7 km per liter.

The interior was luxurious, and the infotainment system featured the latest technology. The 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus, which serves as the instrument cluster, and the 14.5-inch MMI touch center display, which functions as the navigation system, are curved toward the driver's seat. Next to these, there is an additional 10.9-inch display for the front passenger. The passenger can use this display to watch YouTube or listen to music.

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Another impressive feature was the A5's audio system. The S line trim I drove comes standard with the "Tech Package," which includes the Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System. For a midsize sedan, it seems a lot of attention was paid to the audio. In domestic cars, when the navigation and music sounds overlap, the audio can be inconsistent and somewhat uncomfortable. In this car, the two sounds harmonize, allowing for a more comfortable drive. There are also speakers mounted in the driver's seat headrest, which deliver important driving information right to the driver's ear, almost like a whisper, which I found to be a nice touch.

There were, however, two drawbacks. The first was the "switchable panoramic roof," which allows you to adjust the transparency with a single button. However, during the heat of midday in summer, the heat was transmitted directly from above. In the middle of summer, parking in an underground lot seems essential. The second drawback was that the infotainment system, which handles navigation searches and voice recognition commands, felt slow to respond.

The domestic selling price of this car (A5 40 TFSI Quattro S line Black Edition) is 67,710,000 won. The base trim of the same model, the A5 40 TFSI Quattro, starts at 57,890,000 won. Considering the options, it is clearly price-competitive compared to imported rivals in the same class. The third-generation A5 still seems more than sufficient as a choice for consumers seeking the appeal of an internal combustion engine sedan.

Audi midsize sedan A5. Provided by Audi Korea

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