2025 Audi S5 review

With the introduction of the third-generation Audi S5, the German brand is simplifying the lineup with the merger of the S4 and S5 (as well as the A4 and A5) lineups. With this change, the S5 is only available as a four-door hatchback, which Audi calls Sportback—no more coupe, convertible, or traditional sedan. The S5 is wider, longer, and taller than the outgoing model, featuring a more aerodynamic design and available programmable LED running lights for a unique look. It also gets a larger cabin with improved rear-seat legroom and added cargo space. The interior is highlighted by a curved OLED display incorporating an 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit and a 14.5-inch infotainment display.

Keeping with its sporty nature, the third-generation S5 is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine with a healthy 362 horsepower, making it about 0.2 second quicker to 60 mph. Power is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The S5 also gets a new suspension for improved steering precision and handling.

It had been ten years since the S5 received a full redesign, so introducing the second generation in 2018 was certainly welcome. Not only did the performance version of the A5 get fresh styling, but it also had a new four-door hatchback, dubbed Sportback, added to the lineup, joining the coupe and Cabriolet. The new Sportback brought seating for up to five, offering more interior space without compromising performance. The new S5 also featured an updated infotainment system displayed on a seven-inch touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ as well as a new Audi Connect® system with online traffic, gas prices, and music streaming. 

The S5 came to market in 2018 with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine delivering 354 horsepower to the standard Quattro® all-wheel-drive system. That engine remained unchanged for the duration of the second generation. No longer available with a manual gearbox, all S5s featured a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission.

When Audi came to market with the all-new S5 (along with the lower-performance A5), it was the brand’s first venture into the luxury coupe market. While the S5 was basically a two-door version of the S4 sedan, it featured a unique front suspension, a longer wheelbase, and modified weight distribution for improved handling and performance. The two-door coupe was the only body style at launch, but Audi added a soft-top convertible (Cabriolet) in 2010. The S5 had a stylish, upscale cabin with seating for four, although the rear seat was a bit cramped. 

The first-generation Audi S5 arrived with a 4.2-liter V8 under the hood, available with a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic transmission. When the Cabriolet arrived in 2010, it came with a new 3.0-liter supercharged V6, which was just a few horses short of the big V8. Quattro® all-wheel drive was standard for all variants. A few years later, the V8 was discontinued.