Audi S5 Review 2025: Price, specs & boot space
Written by Richard Aucock
Quick overview
Pros
- Swift and sophisticated car to drive
- Cool and understated outside and in
- Plenty of onboard tech
Cons
- Some rivals are more exciting to drive
- Styling maybe too understated for some
- Expensive
Verdict: Is the Audi S5 a good car?
"The Audi S5 is a discreet and classy high-performance hatchback and Avant estate. It is not outlandish, but delivers plenty of everyday pace with a satisfying overlay of premium appeal."
The Audi S5 is currently the range-topping model in the Audi A5 saloon and Audi A5 Avant estate line-up. It has the biggest and most powerful engine, the sharpest suspension tune and the most luxurious equipment levels.
The Audi S5 is, however, a performance range-topper that’s easy to overlook. It doesn’t stand apart as an obvious high-performance model. Understatement is the name of the game here, very much in the long tradition of Audi’s S-branded models. It’s not obviously different from a regular Audi A5 S line at first – only with a second glance will you notice the S-style front bumper, larger 20-inch alloy wheels and ‘black’ styling pack that even extends to anthracite-finish Audi logos.
The Audi S5 is very feel-good inside, with its high-backed sports seats finished in rich nappa leather as standard. It is currently only offered in Edition 1 trim, which means it has an extremely comprehensive standard spec, albeit with the price tag to reflect this.
Where the Audi S5 really stands out is with its silky-smooth V6 petrol engine. Its discreet purposefulness is rich and appealing, particularly as an ample 367PS means 0-62mph in an effortless 4.5 seconds. Beefed-up suspension means it drives with a real effortlessness, too. The Audi S5 devours high mileages with a complete lack of fuss or fatigue.
The Audi S5 also has a practical side. It is roomy in the back, the boot is well-shaped and useful – and there’s also an even more practical Audi S5 Avant if the Audi S5 saloon isn’t quite commodious enough.
Add in the Audi S5’s premium-feel build quality, ultra-advanced infotainment system, an impressive set of safety credentials and the promise of good reliability, and it’s easy to see why it may appeal to select group of people who want a swift yet subtle express to make everyday life that bit more special.
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Is the Audi S5 right for you?
If you like the idea of a high-performance car that doesn’t shout about it, the Audi S5 is well worth a look. Unlike more extravagant and outlandish alternatives, it hides its light under a bushel, an approach many find very appealing.
The Audi S5 certainly has an abundance of performance, thanks to its 367PS 3.0-litre V6 engine. With standard quattro four-wheel drive, this is delivered in a fuss-free manner, no matter what the weather. If you want to drive quickly across challenging roads without breaking a sweat, it’s again a great choice.
Of course, the sheer understatement of it, both to look at and to drive, may not appeal to those who want something a bit more vibrant. The Audi S5 is hard to tell apart from a regular Audi A5 TDI S line, making it a version only ‘those in the know’ will truly acknowledge and appreciate.
What's the best Audi S5 model/engine to choose?
For now, there is only a single Audi S5 on sale, called Edition 1. It is offered either as a saloon – actually a five-door hatchback – or as an Avant estate. The Audi S5 range may broaden in coming years, with a slightly more affordable version, although it will still sit clear of regular Audi A5 in terms of pricing.
What other cars are similar to the Audi S5?
The Audi S5 has a direct rival from BMW, in the shape of the 3 Series-based BMW M340i. Like the Audi, this is understated and subtle, although it does have a few more high-performance cues to help it stand apart from a regular BMW 3 Series M Sport.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is offered in Mercedes-AMG C43 guise, which has a similar approach to the Audi and BMW. It doesn’t follow the outlandish approach of the C63, and is a less intense everyday all-rounder.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a more leftfield choice, available in 280PS 2.0-litre turbo guise or as the 520PS V6 Quadrifoglio. At this premium price level, the entry-level Porsche Panamera V6 could also worth checking out – pricing isn’t too much higher.
Comfort and design: Audi S5 interior
"The Audi S5 has a sophisticated and high-quality interior, that is very cool and cultured. There is also plenty of technology onboard, including an advanced and eye-catching infotainment system."
The Audi S5 certainly has plenty of showroom appeal on the inside. It has the richest upholstery and trim materials of any Audi A5, and the high-back sports seats will feel good the moment you step into them. The driving position can be set perfectly, thanks to the plentiful all-round range of adjustment.
The Audi S5 is much more ‘digital’ than previous models. The climate control buttons have been removed, for example, with heating now controlled through a strip in the bottom of the infotainment screen. Elsewhere, scattered buttons on the dashboard have been centralised into a novel panel mounted in the driver’s door armrest. It takes a bit of getting used to, and can get in the way when you pull the door closed, but is at least something that’s a bit different.
We like the sporty steering wheel you get in the Audi S5. This has a flattened top and bottom, aiding practicality (you can see the instruments more clearly), while the shape and firmness are perfect. It genuinely is lovely to hold. You don’t get a matching leather gearlever though – instead, you select ‘D’ and ‘R’ from a small rectangular selector on the centre console.
There are few other physical controls inside the Audi S5, although pleasingly, a proper volume dial does remain. The Audi Drive Select button is there too, giving quick access to the different drive modes.
The Audi S5 has a clever mild hybrid system that allows a surprising amount of pure-electric low-speed running. But passenger comfort is maintained even in hot weather, because the air conditioning compressor is electric, rather than powered by the engine. Cool air therefore keeps on pumping even with the engine off.
Quality and finish
The Audi S5 has a high-quality appearance with a premium finish. The panel gaps are ultra-precise and paint quality is both rich and deep. The Audi S5 enhancements, including the sporty front bumper and large Audi Sport wheels, enhance this further.
The upscale feel continues inside. This is helped by the Audi S5’s standard nappa leather upholstery and Dinamica trim inserts, which give it a very plush and tactile feel. The ultra-bright clarity of the Digital Stage display screens are impressive, and the soft-touch plastics around the top of the dashboard are as you’d expect of a brand like Audi.
The plastics lower down the dashboard are harder and scratchier, but they don’t spoil the ambience too much, even if Mercedes-Benz is better in this regard. It’s the acres of gloss black plastic that chips away at the quality feel, simply because they so easily pick up fingerprints and dust. They are almost impossible to keep clean.
Importantly, the Audi S5 feels like a solid, high-quality car on the move. There are rarely any trim rattles and suspension noise is kept at bay, making it feel robust and vault-like.
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Audi S5
The Audi S5 uses the same ‘Digital Stage’ as regular Audi A5 models. The 14.5-inch OLED MMI navigation touchscreen is paired with an 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus, beneath a single curved piece of freestanding glass. It definitely has the wow factor.
The system is based on Android Automotive OS, so has a different menu hierarchy to older models. This will take a bit of getting used to, particularly as it’s now entirely touchscreen-based – the old remote touchpad on the centre console is no more. The Audi S5 does have a vertical strip of shortcut icons to help out, though. The latest system is also crisp and responsive to use.
The Audi S5 has touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons to control the driver display. Again, the logic here takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s clear enough once you’ve acclimatised. The full-screen mapping in front of the driver is no more, though, as it now only features on the large central screen.
The Audi S5 also gets the additional passenger MMI display. This allows the passenger to set the sat nav – or, more likely, use the Audi app store to download YouTube and stream content on the move. A special filter blocks the driver from watching it.
As well as the Audi app store, the Android Automotive OS infotainment also allows over-the-air updates, so the Audi S5 will improve over time.
There are the usual USB sockets in the front, along with a standard wireless smartphone charging pad. Interestingly, Audi S5 customers benefit from increased charging capacity for the USB ports in the rear compared to regular Audi A5.
The Audi S5 comes as standard with a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. This has 20 speakers, including four in the front seat headrests. This really enhances the 3D sound effect, delivering superb sound quality combined with an all-round experience that’s notably more impressive than regular stereo systems. It even allows driver-specific audible warnings to be isolated from the rest of the audio.
Space and practicality: Audi S5 boot space
The Audi S5 saloon is actually a hatchback, with an enormous lift-up tailgate. It is electrically operated, either by a button on the remote or by a kick of your leg – there is a projection light under the bumper that shows you where to wave your foot.
The Audi S5 saloon has a 417-litre boot with the rear seats in place. This is a little smaller than a regular Audi A5, due to the sophisticated quattro four-wheel drive architecture. The space itself is very open and easy to access though – the huge tailgate makes it easy to lean in and access items.
Folding the rear seats opens up a 1271-litre space. The seats are easily released by handles in the boot. The Audi S5 can also take roof boxes up to 90kg, and tow a braked trailer of up to 1900kg.
The Audi S5 Avant has a 448-litre boot which expands to 1396 litres with the rear seats folded. It doesn’t sound like much of a difference, but the elongated rear end does help it swallow longer loads.
A small but important practicality point is that the Audi S5 saloon doesn’t have a rear wiper. The Audi S5 Avant does, and this makes all the difference in poor weather, not to mention reversing out of driveways in the morning.
Handling and ride quality: What is the Audi S5 like to drive?
"The Audi S5 is a feel-good car whose dynamic yet cultured appeal steadily grows on you. The engine is a particular highlight, and handling is crisp without being tiring."
The Audi S5 is a superb everyday performance car. It has just the right balance of comfort and refinement on one hand, and grippy precision on the other, along with an ability to offer up a bit of extra spice in ‘Sport’ or configurable ‘Individual’ mode.
The ride has a touch of firmness compared to a regular Audi A5, but that’s largely as a result of the bigger 20-inch wheels. The suspension still does a decent job of absorbing rough roads, thanks to the standard adaptive dampers. This suspension tech also means there’s a bigger difference between ‘Comfort’ and ‘Sport modes.
The Audi S5 has clean and precise steering. It doesn’t have the feel or feedback of a BMW 3 Series, but its sophisticated setup suits the nature of the Audi S5. It’s the same during cornering – while agile and quick-witted, it’s not as engaging as the BMW, but this is less of a criticism considering the approach Audi has intentionally taken.
The quattro four-wheel drive system means the Audi S5 delivers its considerable power without fuss, on all roads and in all weathers. Traction is superb and grip abundant. It also has a quattro sport differential with torque vectoring at the rear, which does serve up a dose of rear-led engagement when exiting corners during more spirited drives. It’s not exuberant, but delivers just the right touch of dynamism.
For the archetypal high-speed cross-continent drive, the Audi S5 is in its element. At speed, it is so calm and collected, it seems to slow everything down, instilling huge confidence in the driver. It is totally effortless and helps make hundreds of miles pass by in a flash.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Audi S5?
The Audi S5 comes with a single engine option, the 3.0-litre V6 TFSI. It produces 367PS at 5500-6300rpm, courtesy of a newly optimised combustion process and, for the first time, a variable geometry turbo. 0-62mph takes 4.5 seconds and the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph.
The engine is paired with a revised S tronic seven-speed DSG gearbox. Audi says this has been designed to handle the Audi S5’s higher torque output of 550Nm from 1700-4000rpm. The gearbox also ensues there is less weight on the front axle, helping make it more agile when cornering.
The Audi S5’s 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine is backed up with MHEV Plus mild hybrid technology. This new system comprises a 48-volt battery, a belt alternator-starter and a clever new powertrain generator (known as the PTG) integrated into the gearbox.
The system is powerful enough to drive the Audi S5 purely under electric power when manoeuvring and at slow speeds. It allows engine coasting too, shutting the V6 down when the driver lifts off. The PTG produces 24PS to contribute a power boost when accelerating – and the quick power delivery of an electric motor boosts responsiveness too.
The combination of engine and MHEV Plus mild hybrid system makes the Audi S5 feel crisp and alert. It is relaxing and reassuring as a result, with the driver being able to deploy its considerable power effortlessly. Again, the quattro four-wheel drive plays a part here too, particularly in bad weather.
Refinement and noise levels
The Audi S5 is, overall, a very refined car, with good all-round noise absorption. Wind noise is well-controlled at speed and tyre noise is not too intrusive, despite its large wheels. The windscreen has acoustic glass as standard, which helps lower noise levels at higher speeds.
The MHEV Plus system’s belt alternator starter further boosts refinement. It starts the engine instantly, instead of waiting for a starter motor to whirr. It also allows the driver to pull away in EV mode, with the engine only starting up once underway, which gives a sophisticated ‘gliding’ feel.
When it is running, the V6 engine is very smooth and cultured. It’s perhaps not the most rousing multi-cylinder – the sports exhaust means it sounds more characterful from the outside – but it still infuses the Audi S5 with a high-quality feel. It is an appreciably more refined performer than a 2.0-litre alternative.
Safety equipment: How safe is the Audi S5?
The Audi S5 is derived from the Audi A5, which was tested by Euro NCAP in 2024. It scored a full five-star rating, with 87% for adult occupant protection. 88% for child protection, 78% for vulnerable road users and 77% for safety assist. They’re a suitably high-performance set of scores.
Everyday safety aids include Park Assist Plus and a 360 and top-view parking camera. Hill-hold assist helps with getaways on steep slopes, while intersection assist helps you out for when you can’t quite see clearly at junctions. The driver attention and fatigue monitor is described as “advanced” and the camera-based traffic sign recognition helps remind you of the current speed limit. There’s also a speed limiter based on the traffic sign system.
The Audi S5’s clever exit warning system alerts passengers when there’s a car or bicycle coming from behind, stopping them from opening a door in their path. Meanwhile, Adaptive Cruise Assist Plus is a clever cruise control that offers helpful steering intervention where necessary.
Parents will be pleased to note the Audi S5 has i-Size for the passenger seat, plus i-Size and Top-Tether for the outer rear seats.
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Audi S5 cost to run?
"The Audi S5 isn’t as fuel efficient as lesser models, due to its potent performance output. Clever MHEV Plus mild hybrid technology can help boost in-town economy though."
“The Audi S5 isn’t as fuel efficient as lesser models, due to its potent performance output. Clever MHEV Plus mild hybrid technology can help boost in-town economy though.”
The Audi S5 averages 36.7mpg. This reflects its greater performance than lesser-powered Audi A5 models, which generally can average well over 40mpg. The Audi S5 has a 56-litre fuel tank for a decent range between refills.
The MHEV Plus system will help boost in-town fuel economy, by allowing the Audi S5 to run often in engine-off electric mode. The 1.7kWh battery is a lithium ion unit, rather than a more old-fashioned lead acid battery. This helps make it smaller, lighter, and gives it a better storage capacity. It’s able to deliver its power in stronger bursts, which helps make the most of the PTG’s 24PS boost.
With 20-inch wheels as standard, the Audi S5’s high-performance tyres should be factored into running costs. Servicing rates, however, shouldn’t differ too much from regular models, as the engine isn’t as ‘extreme’ as in Audi’s RS versions.
Audi S5 reliability and warranty
The Audi S5 has a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty. It can be extended to four years and 75,000 miles, or five years and 90,000 miles, as an optional extra.
According to the latest HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index, the Audi brand scored a mid-table ranking. It was better than premium brands such as Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, and just two places below arch-rival BMW. Newer Audis reportedly perform much better in terms of reliability, which bodes well for the Audi S5.
Audi S5 insurance groups and costs
The Audi S5 has notably higher insurance groups and costs than regular Audi A5 models. It falls into group 42, which may well mean a noteworthy jump in premiums compared to an Audi A5 2.0 TFSI.
The high CO2 emissions of its V6 petrol engine will also make it an expensive proposition for company car drivers. It easily falls into the highest 37% Benefit-in-Kind tax rating.
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Audi S5?
With CO2 emissions from 176g/km, the Audi S5’s first-year tax rates start from a noteworthy £2190. After the first year, the standard flat rate of £195 applies.
However, as all Audi S5 cost well over £40,000, the Expensive Car Supplement applies. This adds £425 a year to the road tax bill between years two to six.
Audi S5 price
"The Audi S5 has a range-topping price tag, although the Edition 1 cars do have a comprehensive level of standard equipment to justify this."
The Audi S5 is the range-topping version of the Audi A5 range. It has the price tag to reflect this, starting from over £70,000. That’s over £8000 more than the entry-level BMW M340i, reflecting the fact the Audi S5 is currently only offered in premium Edition 1 guise.
Audi S5 buyers seeking a more affordable option may find a regular version follows the Edition 1 cars in time, taking the price tag back under £70k.
Trim levels and standard equipment
The Audi S5 Edition 1 is extremely well equipped, befitting its range-topping status. All the core Audi A5 features are standard, including three-zone climate control, heated front seats (along with heated outer rear seats), electric folding door mirrors and multi-colour ambient LED interior lighting. This is enhanced with the dynamic interaction light – when you indicate, for example, part of the front ambient lighting strip blinks green.
The Audi S5 builds out the standard equipment further with Matrix LED headlights, which are complemented by digital OLED tail lights including a communication light. The front sports seats are electrically adjustable, as is the steering column. And, along with a heated steering wheel, the front seats are ventilated, have pneumatic lumbar adjustment and a massage function. Those stepping in the front seats are presented with door sill inserts featuring an illuminated logo.
The Audi S5 has a 14.5-inch OLED MMI navigation system and 11.9-inch virtual cockpit plus. These are enhanced by the standard MMI front passenger display. The Audi app store is built into the MMI system as standard. Meanwhile, the driver gets a head-up display, and everyone onboard enjoys the uprated Bang & Olufsen premium sound system.
The Audi S5 boasts a panoramic sunroof with eye-catching switchable transparency, while the interior upholstery includes pearl nappa leather seats with diamond stitching and S embossing, plus the Audi dashboard ‘Softwrap’ in Dinamica microfibre.
The Audi S5 also, of course, gets the bespoke S5 design exterior, which includes a more aggressive front bumper and air intake grilles, plus 20-inch Audi Sport wheels in metallic black with a gloss-turned finish. S sports suspension with damper control is standard too, so owners don’t have to worry about ticking any options boxes to get the best-driving Audi S5 variant.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Is the Audi S5 a good car?
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Audi S5 Alternatives
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