The S5 is very balanced for both performance and luxury. It's a beautiful vehicle inside and out and has easy-to-use controls. It's genuinely enjoyable if you want to take it on twisty roads, and it doesn't sacrifice comfort and luxury. It's not perfect — the design compromises rear passenger space and visibility, and the price is a little steep for the top-end Prestige — but it's a highly compelling choice in the class.
Nick Yekikian has worked in the automotive industry since 2019. He has written close to a thousand car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 200 vehicles over the course of his career. Nick is the News Editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Automobile Magazine and Super Street. When Nick isn't zipping around town in his latest used-car find, he's probably making digital art in Photoshop or playing disc golf with friends.
Interior is modern, stylish and packed with high-tech features
Comfortable for long-distance touring
Cons
Not a lot of interior storage
Tech-forward interior might not be for everyone
What's new
No significant changes for the 2022 model year
Part of the second S5 generation introduced for 2018
Overview
A car is simply about getting from A to B for some people. But for others, power, presence and style all matter. Thankfully, Audi offers options for those less interested in utility and more interested in enjoying your experience behind the wheel. The 2022 Audi S5 combines stylish looks, oodles of power from a turbocharged engine, and enjoyable driving dynamics into an elegant package.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Audi S5 Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.32 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
But don't think of the S5 as a case of function following form — there's still plenty of greatness hiding beneath its shapely sheetmetal. The S5 is available as a coupe, a convertible and a four-door hatchback. And compared to the base Audi A5 on which it's based, the S5 adds some extra standard features such as massaging front seats, heated rear seats and diamond-stitched upholstery.
There are a few alternatives if the S5 isn't quite to your liking. BMW has recently redesigned its 4 Series, and it also comes as a coupe, convertible and four-door (the 4 Series Gran Coupe). You might also want to check out the Lexus RC or even a sport sedan such as the Acura TLX Type S. But overall the S5 is hard to beat. Read our Expert Rating below to get our test team's full in-depth take on this year's S5.
Edmunds Expert Rating
good
8.0/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
The S5 is very balanced for both performance and luxury. It's a beautiful vehicle inside and out and has easy-to-use controls. It's genuinely enjoyable if you want to take it on twisty roads, and it doesn't sacrifice comfort and luxury. It's not perfect — the design compromises rear passenger space and visibility, and the price is a little steep for the top-end Prestige — but it's a highly compelling choice in the class.
How does the S5 drive? We tested an S5 Sportback, which is the four-door hatchback. There's plenty of power from the turbocharged V6, even if it's not immediately explosive off the line. Once on the move, acceleration is swift, steady and satisfying. In Edmunds' track testing, our S5 Sportback test car was able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a rapid 4.3 seconds. The brakes work well to bring all that speed to a halt, offering relatively fade-free performance in dynamic situations, but they're equally easy and smooth-acting during a casual commute.
The S5 is capable around corners too. Our car came equipped with the optional S Sport package. It helps blend the best of all-wheel-drive traction with the nimble feeling of a rear-wheel-drive car. The S5's dynamic steering also feels well matched to whatever drive mode setting you're in.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the S5? We continue to be amazed at the balance of the S5 Sportback. Comfort is just as much a priority as performance. The front seats are very supportive and pleasant, and the available heated and ventilated elements work swiftly. The easy-to-use climate control maintains the cabin temperature accurately, and the fans aren't excessively noisy, even on high.
The optional adaptive suspension is a great way to go in the S5 because it offers excellent qualities for multiple scenarios. Comfort mode smooths out rough interstates and broken pavement with ease, while Dynamic mode keeps the body motion in check through spirited driving. The S5 is relatively silent at all speeds and well isolated from both road and wind noise.
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How’s the interior? Getting in and out of the S5 Sportback's front seats is easy. If you're on the taller side, you might have to duck to get into the rear seats due to the sloping roofline. There's a good amount of room for front occupants plus plenty of adjustment range for the driver. The rear seats are decent in terms of comfort and space for two adults up to about 5-foot-10 or so.
Audi's S5 Sportback doesn't have the dual touchscreen interface that the newer Audis have, but that could be a good thing for some people. Most interior controls are clear, logically placed, and consistent in look and feel. The menu structure for both the digital instrument panel and the touchscreen menu system takes a few uses to learn, though.
Visibility out of the front is decent. The over-the-shoulder view is a bit compromised due to the Sportback design and the thick rear roof pillars. The available surround-view camera system definitely helps when you're backing out of parking spaces.
Technology
8.0/10
How’s the tech? Audi's 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system's graphics are crisp and vibrant. Audi's Virtual Cockpit, a configurable fully digital instrument panel, is able to display nearly anything you want with as much information you want. The navigation system is straightforward and simple to use. The voice controls work pretty well, and while they're not quite conversational, the commands come close and have a good breadth of functions. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard.
Most of the S5 Sportback's advanced driver safety aids are optional except on the top Prestige trim, which is a little disappointing. But they all worked smoothly in our testing.
Storage
8.0/10
How’s the storage? The S5 Sportback has a good amount of room for stuff in the rear cargo area under the hatch. The 40/20/40-split rear seats help give you versatility for odd-sized objects. The load height is reasonable, and the cargo area is free of intrusions.
The storage for small items in the cabin is merely average. There are a couple of small pockets in the center console area with room to keep items like a phone, keys or credit cards. The center console bin can fit a wallet and other similar-size items but nothing much bigger. The cupholders are on the small side, so don't plan to stop for that Big Gulp.
Fuel Economy
7.0/10
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the S5 Sportback gets 24 mpg in combined driving (21 city/30 highway), keeping it in line with the class. On our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, we observed 23.5 mpg on 91 octane, indicating the EPA's numbers are realistic. Naturally, more spirited driving could result in fuel economy falling into the mid- to high teens.
Value
7.0/10
Is the S5 a good value? Audi's S5 Sportback is well built, which is something we've come to expect from Audi. There are no unsightly gaps, welds or hinges, and the interior is simple but modern. Our only gripe: the piano black surfaces around the shifter and center console area that attract fingerprints. The warranty and ownership experience are decent.
The S5 Sportback is on the pricier side compared to peers when they're similarly equipped. The starting price of $52K isn't bad, but once you equip it thoroughly, it closes in on $70K — which is slightly more than the competition. There's value with the midline trims, but you may miss out on a couple of desired features.
Wildcard
8.5/10
While the S5 Sportback has a sleek profile, its overall design is quite understated. If you want to have some fun, the S5 is capable of delivering it. Power is ample but not overwhelming, and it's well matched to the Audi's handling capability. It engages you and once you're done having fun, you ease off and enjoy it purely as a luxury sedan.
Which S5 does Edmunds recommend?
We say spend a little more for the Premium Plus trim. It includes the Convenience package features that are optional on the base Premium trim, along with some other appealing extras such as adaptive cruise control and Audi's class-leading Digital Cockpit.
Audi S5 models
The 2022 Audi S5 is the high-performance counterpart to the A5. It comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (349 horsepower, 369 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. Audi offers the S5 as a coupe, convertible (Cabriolet) and four-door hatchback (Sportback). The coupe and convertible seat four, while the Sportback accommodates five. The S5 is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. Feature highlights include:
Premium
The S5 Premium base trim comes well equipped with:
19-inch alloy wheels
Sport suspension
LED headlights
Panoramic sunroof (coupe and hatchback)
Power liftgate (hatchback)
Three-zone automatic climate control
Leather and faux suede combination upholstery
Power-adjustable, heated front sport seats with massage
LED ambient cabin lighting
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated toll road transponder
Technology and safety features include:
10.1-inch central touchscreen
Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
The optional Convenience package for the Premium trim adds:
Auto-dimming side mirrors
Keyless entry
Heated steering wheel
Driver's seat memory functions
Front and rear parking sensors
Satellite radio
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)
Premium Plus
Moving up one tier to the Premium Plus gets you the features of the Convenience package as standard plus:
Digital instrument panel
Driver's seat memory functions
Simulated leather-wrapped center console and armrests
Wireless charging pad with a signal booster
Rear USB charge ports (Sportback only)
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the S5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the S5 and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the S5 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Prestige
The Prestige trim maxes out the tech and comfort features, adding:
Upgraded headlights
19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system
Heated rear seats
Navigation system
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)
Traffic sign recognition
The Premium Plus and Prestige trims can also be equipped with several options, including:
S Sport package
Adaptive suspension dampers
Sport rear differential
Warm Weather package
Different sport seats with ventilation but without massage
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.
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.
5/5 stars, Perfect blend of performance & luxury
Eric Gokcen,
Prestige 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
Have had the car for a month and love everything about it. Just came off of a Mercedes C43 AMG convertible which was a much harsher ride with a more high revving engine sound. The S5 is more of the V8 rumble and feels more powerful even though the numbers are similar. Handles extremely well but also absorbs the bumps nicely. The layout of the interior is perfect. Really excellent car in … every way.
5/5 stars, My First Audi. Glad it was the 2018 S5 Prestige!
Gene Simpson,
Prestige quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
This car is absolutely incredible. It drives and handles like a dream. The technology can be a bit overwhelming at first but once you get used to how things work it is great. The controls and ergonomics of the cabin are almost perfect. Great quality materials in the buttons, high-quality diamond stitched Nappa leather and a sound system that is fantastic. Everything is arranged within … the cabin with the driver as the focus of all controls and electronics. The virtual cockpit is incredible to use as is everything else. Engine response is superb with just a slight turbo lag in the low rpm range below 1300rpm. Once past that line, the acceleration is incredible. The handling is so balanced with acceleration and cornering that is way out of its class. I could go on and on about what a great car this is but all I can say is this was my first Audi S5 series, it will not be my last.
5/5 stars, Possibly the best car I have ever owned.
Just took delivery of my 2nd S5 Cabriolet. The previous was a slightly used (5k miles) 2015 Premium Plus. This model is a brand new 2019 Prestige fully loaded. I could not find anything quite comparable to my previous S5 after test drives with BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Porsche, and even Tesla (albeit a completely different concept all-elec). Throwing in all the tangibles and in-tangibles … (warranty, maintenance service support, handling, performance, versatility, wet-sexy looks, country-club street cred, durability, and price) I could not find any match. First, the new 2019 S5, although it looks similar, is a completely different car than its predecessor. Audi changed the body lines and design and added a ton of technology and improvements to the 2018 model. The new 2019 comes with a $10-15k higher price point, regardless of options, but I have to say...WORTH IT. The car is packed so tight with high tech customizable features and options, that it is overwhelming. On the Prestige model, there is almost nothing in the cockpit that is not customizable. For example, the stock Milano leather sport seat with quilted cross-hatch stitching have no less than 40 different possible settings. Not the least of which is the back and lumbar massage system which comes standard with three different pressure points with three different levels of intensity each. Not only can you customize the interior LED lighting system, which is elegantly tucked under the the seamless Atlas carbon fiber inlays, foot-wells, and cup-holders, to literally ANY color in the visible spectrum, you can even delineate the "upper" level lights to a different color than the "lower" level lights. The exterior camera system provides 360 degree "top view" of the car when parking and backing up. You can select any individual camera to view for tight-quarter maneuvers when needed. If that is not enough, you can even change the HUD system (Heads Up Display) to rotate up to 5 degrees R-L and position the projection higher or lower on the windscreen, as well as adjust the brightness and actual information projected to include turn-by-turn navigation, road sign information, and the active lane assist. The car is simply astonishing with advanced customizable features. One of my big disappointments in the 2015 was the lack of voice-command microphone for phone operation and other radio and climate features. The Audi (Volkswagen) engineers figured that out in the 2018-2019 model. The acoustic dampening convertible top is a feat of technology in itself. I can tell no difference in the interior road noise from my friend's plush Lexus hard-top sedan, and my sporty coupe convertible. The exhaust note on start-up turns heads. A friend of mine just said, "Whoa-that sounds like a Ferrari engine." Performance In the 2019 is much better. It has a touchy throttle, and when pressed, it sprints. The over-all 0-60mph time may not be significantly different, but it "feels" lighter and more nimble. The wide 19-Inch sport summer tires could probably hold a 1.1+ G lateral on a track, but I'm slightly disappointed Audi didn't recognize that most of us in the U.S. are daily commuters and not formula-one drivers. They should have installed all-season performance tires to hold up under the all-wheel torque and grind of the Quattro system such as Pirelli P-Zeros. Almost as good, with 4x the mileage wear. The dynamic steering is really necessary to avoid wheel rim rash. The rear wheels track far inside front wheels.
This car is ridiculously good for what it is. A very high performance luxury convertible with the price tag of a loaded full-size domestic pick-up truck. Unfortunately they ain't making more. Audi has sadly discontinued the S5 cabriolet for 2020 and the foreseeable future. Go grab one while you still can!
The 2022 Audi A5 gets a bare minimum of changes for next year, and that's just fine. Few cars in its price range satisfy like the S5, with its perfect proportions, stirring performance, and appreciable levels of comfort and luxury.
For 2022, the S5 offers standard carbon-fiber trim accents inside the cabin, while 19-inch wheels will fill out the S5's side profile more than the current 18-inch wheels. That last bit makes us a little nervous since larger wheels (and shorter tire sidewalls) can ruin a car's ride quality even if they look great and enhance a car's style. The S5 already strikes a great balance between sporty and comfortable. The ride is stiff enough to keep the S5 under control during spasms of spirited driving and still soak up most of the road's rough patches. The optional adaptive suspension is especially helpful here.
We'll assume Audi did its homework and tinkered with the chassis settings, making our worries irrelevant. In which case, the S5 will remain one of the best luxury sport coupes around.
Like the Audi A5 model that it's based on, the S5 also offers two-door coupe, convertible and four-door hatchback (Sportback) body styles. Unlike its more sedate four-cylinder-powered counterpart, however, the S5 draws its motive power from a 349-horsepower V6 engine. The S5 also amplifies the luxuries with standard heated and massaging front seats, leather and suede upholstery, and a standard sport suspension.
Edmunds says
The S5 is genuinely enjoyable if you want to take it on twisty roads, and it doesn't sacrifice comfort and luxury. It's a highly compelling choice for a small luxury sport sedan.
FAQ
Is the Audi S5 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2022 S5 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.0 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2022 S5 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 48 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the S5 has 21.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Audi S5. Learn more
What's new in the 2022 Audi S5?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Audi S5:
No significant changes for the 2022 model year
Part of the second S5 generation introduced for 2018
To determine whether the Audi S5 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the S5. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the S5's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2022 Audi S5 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2022 Audi S5 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2022 S5 and gave it a 8.0 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2022 S5 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 48 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2022 S5 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2022 Audi S5?
The least-expensive 2022 Audi S5 is the 2022 Audi S5 Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $55,300.
Other versions include:
Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $55,300
Premium Plus 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $58,900
Prestige 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $63,700
If you're interested in the Audi S5, the next question is, which S5 model is right for you? S5 variants include Premium 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A), Premium Plus 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A), and Prestige 4dr Hatchback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of S5 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
