Audi A5 B10 (2025–2026)

Audi A5 (B10, 2025-2026)

Overall Sentiment

Owners express overwhelmingly negative sentiment toward the 2025-2026 B10 A5, with many reporting severe software and electrical failures immediately after delivery. The dominant tone is regret, with multiple owners describing the car as undriveable for weeks or months, and some actively pursuing buybacks. A small minority report that after a software update the car became flawless, but these are far outnumbered by accounts of repeated, unresolved failures. There is no meaningful difference reported between the 2025 and 2026 model years; both are described as suffering from the same core issues.

Sentiment Confidence Level

High

Frequently Mentioned Competitors

BMW 3 Series, Lexus ES, Lexus IS, Mazda 6, Mercedes-Benz CLA

Positioning vs Competitors

Owners who cross-shopped the B10 A5 against BMW and Lexus models express regret for not choosing those alternatives, citing the Audi's severe reliability problems. One owner specifically mentions looking at BMW before choosing the A5 and now regretting it. Another owner considering Lexus ES or IS finds both designs unappealing but still considers them as alternatives due to Audi's failures. The B10 is unfavorably compared to a Mazda 6 in terms of exterior design, with one owner saying Audi "took my Mazda 6 and mixed it with the B9."

Best Version According to Owners

Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. No owner recommends any specific trim or engine within the B10 generation. Several owners explicitly advise against buying any B10 Audi at all.

Recommended Configurations

Insufficient owner data available. Owners strongly advise against buying any 2025 or 2026 B10 A5, with multiple comments stating "never buy a first model year" and "do not buy first model year cars." One owner recommends waiting for the second model year or a refresh.

General Recommendations

Owners universally recommend avoiding the 2025-2026 B10 A5 entirely. Multiple owners who traded from a B9 or B9.5 A5 strongly advise keeping the older generation instead. Several owners suggest looking for a CPO B9.5 S5 or A5 as a more reliable and better-looking alternative. One owner who works at Audi states the entire B10 lineup is "horrendous" and that a redesign or revamp is expected. Owners also warn against buying any first-year model from any manufacturer, citing post-COVID quality issues.

Reported Issues

Car completely inoperable with multiple dashboard warning lights and unable to shift into gear — Frequency: very frequent

"P not possible" error preventing the car from parking — Frequency: very frequent

Software update (KD2, TSB2079690) fails to resolve issues, with errors returning after update — Frequency: very frequent

Battery drain requiring trickle charger to maintain functionality — Frequency: recurrent

Central locking failure (unable to open or lock the car) — Frequency: recurrent

Emergency braking activation at inappropriate times (roundabout, normal braking distances) — Frequency: recurrent

Car refusing to go into reverse — Frequency: recurrent

MMI freezing, crashing, home screen icons vanishing — Frequency: recurrent

Audi Connect failing to recognize the car / no internet connection — Frequency: recurrent

Steering wheel not working at delivery — Frequency: isolated

Reversing camera not working — Frequency: isolated

Climate control not working — Frequency: isolated

GPS stops working after battery drains — Frequency: isolated

Hatch fails to auto-lift and won't latch — Frequency: isolated

Cruise control not working due to "door open" error — Frequency: isolated

"Critical danger" stops where car slams on brakes and jams seatbelt — Frequency: isolated

Loose wheel warning appearing erroneously — Frequency: isolated

Fuel consumption display showing unrealistic figures — Frequency: isolated

Digital key stopped working — Frequency: isolated

Remarks

A significant number of owners report that their B10 A5 spent more time in the shop than in their possession during the first months of ownership, with one owner reporting 144 days out of service in the first 150 days. Audi's buyback process is described as extremely difficult, with one owner receiving a full denial on Christmas Eve after the car had been out of service for 144 of the first 150 days. Multiple owners who work at Audi or as technicians confirm the issues are known internally and that a further software update (KD3) is being developed. One owner reports that a control module transplant from a donor vehicle was required to complete a software update. The piano black interior trim is widely criticized as a fingerprint magnet and easily scratched. The haptic steering wheel buttons and lack of physical climate controls are also frequently criticized. Analysis based on approximately 42 substantive owner discussions about this generation.