Audi A5 vs Skoda Fabia
What's the difference?

Audi A5

$79,900 - $92,900

2026 price

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Skoda Fabia

$24,690 - $33,485

2024 price

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Aston Martin Vanquish

Lamborghini Aventador

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

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Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class

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Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

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Mercedes-Benz S-Class

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Summary

2026 Audi A5

2024 Skoda Fabia

By Chris Thompson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 3, 1.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.9L/100km (combined)

5.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Stacked with techy features
Edition One value is hard to deny
Still a delight to drive

Playful and capable
Ergonomics and ‘Skoda’ touches
Fresh exterior design

Dislikes

Loses some interior simplicity
Edition One not a permanent fixture
Having to wait for more variants

Interior styling still looks sub-$30K
Low-speed DSG hesitancy
Rear seat space

2026 Audi A5 Summary

The Audi A5 has done something naughty. It’s replaced the Audi A4.

Or at least that’s the case for now after the Ingolstadt brand made a bit of a mess of its naming strategy.

Essentially, the Audi A5 is now available as a sedan or a wagon, and the next A4 coming soon will be electric. The previous A5 was a swoopier two-door coupe or four-door gran coupe style model. So the A5 is now effectively Audi’s main BMW 3 Series or Mercedes C-Class and CLA rival.

Plus, the Audi S5 is also here to cater to performance car fans.

Can a new platform, a sleek, fresh look and a techy interior do the job?

We’ve been pedalling around the Victorian countryside in the hopes of finding out.

Stick with me, and I reckon we’ll get to the bottom of it. The question about the car, that is, not the bottom of Victoria.

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2024 Skoda Fabia Summary

The smallest car in Skoda’s local line-up is also its most affordable, but only just.

When the current generation Fabia launched with the halo Monte Carlo variant at almost $40,000, it was a bit of a surprise for a small hatch from what’s seen as an affordable brand.

Now, there’s a new entry-level version of Skoda’s bub and, while it’s not nearly as cheap as it once was, it offers a choice that’s more within reach for anyone keen on a premium small car.

Can the Fabia Select convince customers looking at the likes of the Mazda 2 or Suzuki Swift to go Euro and cross the $30,000 threshold?

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Audi A5 2024 Skoda Fabia

Verdict

The Audi A5 remains a convincing option in the premium mid-size sedan category, even with the near-$10K price increase over its equivalent grade A4 predecessor.

Even in its base spec, it’s a lovely thing to drive and adds enough new kit to be a reasonable option when it comes to value. In terms of tech usability, it stands out from rivals. Practicality is still king for Audi.

But for the heart-over-head types, the S5 is fast and fun while remaining a comfortable cruiser and the price is decent. On a personal note, a six-cylinder wagon? That's a big yes from me.

For the time it’s available, it’s hard to go past the value on offer in the S5 Edition One. Getting an AWD V6 with that kind of capability for under $100K is something that's sure to tempt buyers. If it doesn’t, we need to take a good look at ourselves.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with meals provided.

Verdict

Once you get past the shock of the Fabia no longer being a sub-$25K car (because let’s face it, what is anymore?), the fact that it remains refreshingly simple to live with and engaging on the road should be celebrated.

It has its downsides if you need space, and you can buy a light (or even small) SUV for the same price, but you’ll be compromising in other areas.

The Skoda Fabia can’t do everything, but what it can, it does well. Plus, it’s certainly less common than the similarly priced Toyota Yaris.

Audi A5 vs Skoda Fabia What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A5 vs Skoda Fabia
What's the difference?