It was still dark when I left Jaipur behind, the city’s sandstone-pink facades lit faintly by scattered lamps. My destination wasn’t far by kilometers, but symbolically, the climb to Nahargarh Fort has always represented a journey from the everyday into the extraordinary. With the 2025 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI under me, it promised to be more than just a scenic drive.
The A5’s newest iteration no longer tries to hide its ambitions. It’s not a placeholder between the A4 and the old Sportback anymore. This one, a sedan with hatchback practicality and coupe-inspired elegance, comes equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine pushing 204 horsepower to the front wheels through a silky seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. There’s no hybrid system tagging along, and surprisingly, you don’t miss it.
The route from Jaipur to Nahargarh Fort, through the leopard-laced Nahargarh Forest Reserve, is a theatre of contrasts. The transition from congested avenues to whisper-quiet forest roads was the perfect backdrop to evaluate this new Audi, not on a spec sheet, but on instinct, intuition, and the sheer feel of the machine.
Table of Contents
Technical Specifications: Audi A5 2.0 TFSI (2025)
When sharing Audi insights, we stick to the official word, sourced live from their website.
| Specification | Detail |
| Engine Type | 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol |
| Displacement | 1,984 cm³ |
| Power Output | 204 hp at 4,300 rpm |
| Torque | 340 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Drive Type | Front-wheel drive |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 7.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 248 km/h |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 56 liters |
| Boot Space | 445 liters |
| Kerb Weight | 1,695 kg |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 4.83m x 1.86m x 1.44m |
| Wheelbase | 2.89 meters |
| Tires on Test Car | 245/40 R19 |
Leaving Behind the Bazaars: Urban Drivability
Driving out of Jaipur’s buzzing city center is a ritual in patience. There’s foot traffic, rumbling autos, and the occasional camel cart weaving through chaos. Yet, the A5 handled it with a kind of restrained grace. Its steering, light at low speeds, felt almost telepathic. Despite the car’s length, navigating tight lanes never felt like a chore.
The stop-start system was the only part that disrupted this polished experience. Each time the engine restarted at a traffic light, a faint tremor ran through the cabin, a gentle reminder that this isn’t a micro-hybrid setup. Audi might have kept it traditional here, but it’s one of the few things that feel dated in an otherwise forward-looking cabin.
Inside, the A5 is swathed in tactile sophistication. The layered dashboard, minimal clutter, and intuitive ergonomics evoke a sense of calm, even when the world outside pulses with noise. Double-glazed windows kept the ambient chaos from seeping in. As I exited the city, the skyline of Jaipur began to retreat in the mirror, replaced by the rustling green of the forest ahead.
Climbing Into the Quiet: Handling Through the Nahargarh Bends
The road that threads up to Nahargarh is narrow, mostly deserted, and riddled with tight corners framed by thorned scrub and sandstone cliffs. Here, the A5’s sport-tuned suspension and balanced chassis came alive. The steering gained weight as speed increased, feeding back just enough information to trust the road’s surface without feeling jittery.
This variant, riding on 19-inch wheels, maintains a fine line between agility and comfort. The lowered S Line chassis tightens the car’s movements without being punishing. Even over uneven forest tarmac, the ride remained composed. The dual-clutch transmission, left in Sport mode, downshifted just when I needed a surge of torque to pull out of a hairpin. The changes were clean, without drama. There was no hesitation or gear hunting, just a seamless, quiet execution of intent.
The A5 is not flamboyant. It doesn’t shout when it performs. Instead, it maintains an unwavering sense of composure that feels almost meditative. It’s that subdued confidence that makes it a real driver’s car, one that doesn’t need flashy torque figures or loud exhaust notes to make its presence felt.
Engine in Sync with Terrain: Power Delivery and Efficiency
The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine might not carry a hybrid badge, but its refinement and torque curve make it feel like it’s always ready. The turbo spools up with such consistency that the car rarely feels under strain. Whether gently coasting through a forest curve or overtaking a lumbering truck on an incline, the throttle response remained predictable and rewarding.
Peak torque arriving at just 2,000 rpm means the car rarely needs to be pushed hard to find momentum. There’s a rhythm to how the power builds, fluid, not frantic. Even on uphill stretches where many petrol sedans begin to wheeze and wheedle, the A5 remained serene. It never gave the impression of trying too hard. This isn’t a car chasing lap times. It’s a cruiser for those who still value the fine nuances of naturally progressing speed.
Fuel efficiency across the route was respectable. The car hovered around 6.7 litres per 100 km on the climb, dipping closer to 5.8 on the return trip down the hill. No hybrid trickery here, just good tuning and a smart powertrain doing its job without flair or fuss.
A View from the Fort: Design that Matches the Surroundings
Parked at the edge of Nahargarh Fort’s cliff, the A5 looked right at home. There’s something inherently architectural about its silhouette. The sloping roofline, pronounced beltline, and long wheelbase evoke the grace of European proportions without becoming caricatured.
In person, it carries a sense of tension and restraint. The design doesn’t lean heavily on chrome or gimmicks. Instead, it trusts in proportions, surfacing, and detailing. The sharply creased bonnet, narrow headlights, and tapering rear give it a grounded, confident look. You don’t just drive this car, you arrive in it.
Inside, it’s a similar story. Materials are cohesive, and though the blacked-out trim may divide opinion, there’s no denying the build quality. Yes, there are a few plasticky bits down low and the center console attracts fingerprints like a magnet, but everything you touch daily feels premium. The touchscreens, while a bit layered in navigation, eventually become second nature.
Descending the Curve: Comfort, Noise Levels, and Braking
Coming back down from Nahargarh Fort offered a reverse test of the car’s composure. The brakes, ventilated and progressive, never lost their bite even with continuous use. Audi’s choice of brake pedal modulation pays off here. The initial feel is soft, but dig deeper and the stopping power reveals itself confidently.
Cabin noise remained impressively low even with the windows slightly down. Wind noise was virtually nonexistent. The engine note, when audible, was a gentle thrum rather than a drone. Long journeys in this car wouldn’t just be doable, they’d be desirable. The front seats, though firm, are well-contoured. Even after hours of continuous driving, fatigue hadn’t crept in. That’s testament to not just good padding, but great ergonomics.
Perhaps the only oddity remains the lack of paddle shifters on lower trims, but it never really hindered the experience. The transmission is smart enough to not need manual babysitting unless you’re intentionally trying to extract every last rpm.
Living with the A5: Practicality Beyond the Drive
While most would expect a car like this to favor form over function, the A5 quietly balances both. The boot, with its 445-litre volume, swallowed camera gear, a tripod, a couple of daypacks, and still had room left. The powered tailgate was especially handy when unloading with one hand. Rear seat space is good for two adults, though the middle seat is best left unoccupied unless absolutely necessary.
Visibility is better than most coupe-styled sedans, and the rear-view camera fills in whatever the tapered glass leaves out. Audi’s infotainment system, while not the most intuitive at first, becomes easier with familiarity. Voice control handled most commands without error, and smartphone connectivity was seamless throughout the trip.
Conclusion: A Car That Speaks Softly and Delivers Strongly
By the time I returned to Jaipur, dusk had painted the Aravallis gold. The A5’s silhouette mirrored the shifting light like a sculpture on wheels. This isn’t a car that needs to convince you of its value in a single sprint or curve. It’s one that grows on you over a winding road, a quiet cabin, and a day spent doing what it was built to do.
The 2025 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI is a reminder that not all progress is about electrification or digital overload. Sometimes, refinement, balance, and thoughtful engineering are enough to make a machine memorable. On the road to Nahargarh, it didn’t just perform. It connected. And that’s worth more than numbers on a brochure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the 2025 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI suitable for long-distance touring?
Absolutely. With its excellent highway manners, quiet cabin, and supportive seating, the A5 is built for covering distance without fatigue. Fuel efficiency also remains consistent at cruising speeds.
How does it handle tight mountain roads like those to Nahargarh Fort?
The A5 handles with precision and confidence. The lowered suspension and well-tuned chassis help it stay composed on hairpins and undulating terrain. Even without all-wheel drive, it feels secure and agile.
Is there enough space for rear passengers and luggage?
Yes, though it’s better suited for four adults than five. The rear seats are comfortable, and the boot is spacious for weekend trips or camera equipment. The sloping roofline doesn’t hinder space as much as expected.
Is it fun to drive without being aggressive?
Very much so. The engine delivers power smoothly, and the gearbox works seamlessly in the background. It’s not a loud, dramatic car, it’s a confident and well-mannered companion for those who enjoy the drive.
