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Used 2018 Audi S5 Premium Plus quattro Coupe Review

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2018 Audi S5 Premium Plus quattro Coupe.

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5.0 out of 5 stars
2 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

5 out of 5 stars

Screaming fast. Fantastic fun

Mark J, Oregonia, OH, 01/20/2019
2018 Audi S5 Premium Plus quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
3rd update: Not change, but needing breaks at 38,000 seems too soon when virtually all the miles are highway miles. 4th update: 44000 miles. Still love this car. 2nd update: Just turned 36k miles and still love the car. Just replaced tires. I learned that Audi uses a bit of negative camber (helps with cornering) which causes the tires to wear on the inside at a faster rate than … normal. Hence, be sure to get the treadwear guarantee and rotate tires to get a healthy credit toward the new tires. Update: After 4+ years of ownership I still love this car. Everything below is still valid. Total mileage after 4.75 years of ownership is about 32,000 I've put 12k miles on the car and have not had any troubles. The dealer support for a condenser that was perforated by a rock was above and beyond. The car is blazing fast. Way better than my G35 or 530 ever were. The S5 is also more refined than those cars too. Since I drive 80 - 85 on the highway, when I need to pass and punch the gas it jumps to 100 almost instantly. Acceleration to 60 is also terrific. Road holding (I have the optional split differential) is incredible. A corner that I could never get past 37 in the G35 I've already done effortlessly at 55 in the S5. I'd try it faster, but there is not enough road to get the speed any higher. I've taken the car on an 850 mile one day drive and found it to be extremely comfortable (I'm 6'0 and 200 pounds). Fuel economy on that road trip was 30 MPG. Around town which is a mix of city/highway mpg is 22. This is based on using mid grade fuel. In regards to the turbo lag, I have found it to be almost imperceptible when the transmission is in sport mode. I basically keep it in sport until I reach a road where I can cruise at a steady speed. Oh, and the car gets plenty of looks. Its a work of art.
5 out of 5 stars

3 years and still almost perfect driver's car!

EngineerDan, Leslie, MI, 01/16/2020
2018 Audi S5 Premium Plus quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
Pros: Completely reliable so far - just oil changes and regular maintenance. Highly responsive to throttle, although with some turbo lag at low RPMs. Step on the throttle at 70 mph (+) and you feel the front end lift slightly as the car accelerates Amazing mileage for the power of the vehicle. I'll run around 28 mpg on interstates without trying to conserve. Very comfortable for long … trips - it even has heated front seat massagers. Full suite of state-of-the-art electronics, including lane departure warning, adaptive cruise, "heads up" display of speed and route info, collision warning, and parking view assist (still have to park yourself manually, though. Spacious trunk for the size vehicle. Cons: Definite 2+2 configuration. Back seat suitable only for cargo (backpack, briefcase, groceries, etc) and small children. Difficult rear seat entry/exit Handling is excellent for normal driving, but not top level for extreme driving You get what you pay for, you get a lot, so the sticker price isn't cheap. At 5 years (2023) still nothing other than normal maintenance, with no noticeable change in mileage or performance

Edmunds Summary Review of the 2018 Audi S5 Premium Plus quattro Coupe

Pros & Cons

  • Pro:Acceleration is very strong and smooth
  • Pro:Superb grip around turns
  • Pro:inspires driver confidence
  • Pro:Interior is modern, classy and packed with high-tech features
  • Pro:A comfortable ride and seats for all-day trips
  • Con:Interior storage is adequate but not generous


Which S5 does Edmunds recommend?

The Premium Plus trim gets our recommendation since you can pick and choose options more selectively than you can otherwise on the fully loaded Prestige. We do suggest adding the S Sport package to get the adaptive suspension as well as the Navigation package for the larger screen and virtual instrument panel.

Full Edmunds Review: 2018 Audi S5 Coupe

What’s new

The Audi S5 has been completely redesigned for 2018 with improvements across the board.

Vehicle overview

After a decade, the Audi S5 has finally received a full redesign and the wait was well worth it. This new model builds on its predecessor's best traits, including sleek styling, a refined interior and spirited driving dynamics, and takes them to all-new levels.

In almost every metric, this latest coupe is a prime example of how to do it right. It's a blast to drive, yet it doesn't sacrifice luxury and comfort in the process. We're also impressed with the S5's latest batch of technology features. Compared to rival sport coupes such as the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes C-Class, the 2018 Audi S5 rises to the top.

2018 Audi S5 models

The 2018 Audi S5 is a four-passenger luxury sport coupe that is a high-performance variant of the A5 coupe. It is available in either Premium Plus or Prestige trim levels. Both are powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (354 horsepower, 369 pound-feet of torque). All-wheel drive is standard, as is an eight-speed automatic transmission.

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Standard features for the Premium Plus trim include 18-inch wheels with summer performance tires, automatic LED headlights, automatic wipers, power-folding mirrors with heating, a panoramic sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and ignition, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power front seats (with heating and massage functions), driver-seat memory settings, 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, auto-dimming mirrors and interior ambient lighting.

On the technology front, you also get Bluetooth, a 7-inch infotainment display, a rearview camera, a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote control via a smartphone app, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and a 10-speaker audio system with a CD player, satellite and HD radio, two USB ports and dual SD card slots. Additional safety features include low-speed forward collision warning and mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and Audi Connect Care emergency telematics.

The Prestige trim includes all of the above, along with a virtual instrument panel display, streaming internet radio apps, remote vehicle monitoring via a smartphone app, a bigger 8.3-inch infotainment display, a navigation system, a tracepad feature for infotainment input, a top-down parking camera system and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium surround-sound system. All of these items are available as options on the Premium Plus trim.

Other options include the S Sport package (red brake calipers, adaptive suspension dampers and sport rear differential); the Warm Weather package (ventilated front seats and extended premium leather upholstery); an adaptive steering system; and a heated steering wheel. The Prestige trim is eligible for the Driver Assistance package that adds traffic-adaptive cruise control, a traffic sign reader, lane departure warning and intervention, and automatic high beams.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our First Drive of the 2018 Audi S5 Prestige Coupe (turbo 3.0L V6 | 8-speed automatic | AWD).

Driving

9.5
The 2018 Audi S5 is at the top of the class when it comes to driver engagement and performance. It's a blast to drive on a twisty road yet well-mannered in everyday situations.

Interior

7.0
The S5's cabin is a wonderful expression of modern, understated luxury. The materials quality is high, and the smart layout of controls makes operation easy and distraction-free.

Utility

6.5
The S5 is about average for interior storage but gets better marks when it comes to trunk space and the convenience items associated with it. The trunk is bigger than the exterior size suggests, though it's not much bigger than average for the class.

Technology

8.5
The Audi S5 has a lot of high-tech features and makes them easy to use. The virtual instrument panel is particularly good with configurable sections and clear graphics in any light. The MMI infotainment system's evolution keeps it among our favorites.

Edmunds Insurance Estimator

The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2018 Audi S5 in Ohio is:

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