2023 Audi S5 Review

Name: 2023 Audi S5 Review
Brand: Audi

Price: $46,052

Audi S5 Prestige 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

+19

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.

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Price & Payment

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$50,764 avg. price

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Appraise My 2023 Audi S5

Audi S5 model years

Audi S5 for Sale

Audi S5 types

Hatchback
Coupe
Convertible

2023 Audi S3 Review

by Clint Simone^{Senior Reviews Editor
Clint Simone has worked in the automotive industry since 2015. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Before joining Edmunds as a senior reviews editor, Clint contributed to Motor1.com and InsideEVs, evaluating mostly electric cars. Clint loves hot hatchbacks more than any other type of vehicle but secretly enjoys driving big trucks when he gets the chance. He would never admit to that.}

rating written Rex Tokeshi-Torres^{Associate Manager, Vehicle Testing and Operations
Rex Tokeshi-Torres has worked in the automotive industry for over 17 years. Rex is a vehicle testing technician and photographer at Edmunds and is responsible for coordinating vehicle testing and logistics, organizing data, and capturing photos for the site and social media. He has written over 100 vehicle-related articles and has rated, tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. He has also contributed content to Autobytel, Autotrader, Automobile, the Associated Press and DSport along with various motorsport teams. His affinity with cars started because of Hot Wheels and his love of modifying cars. He occasionally drives Subarus.}

Pros

Strong acceleration from the turbocharged engine
Excellent all-wheel-drive grip with confident handling
Modern, stylish interior and exterior design

Cons

Cramped interior space with few storage options
Down on power compared to closest rivals

What's new

Adaptive cruise control added to the Convenience package
Bang & Olufsen audio system added to Premium Plus trim
New Audi Sport interior package, with contrasting stitching and carbon-fiber inlays
Part of the second Audi S5 generation for the 2018 model year

Overview

Sitting between the entry-level A and performance RS models, the Audi S cars strike a happy medium. The 2023 Audi S5 operates on that same Goldilocks principle, with sufficient style, performance and technology.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale nearby

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2023 Audi S5
Prestige Convertible
$54,555
- 22,423 miles
- Issue reported, 1 owner, personal use only
- 6cyl automatic
- Bob Ross Buick GMC (74 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Centerville, OH
New Price! Clean CARFAX. Blue 2023 Audi S5 3.0T Prestige quattro quattro 8-Speed Automatic with Tiptronic 3.0L TFSI Safety inspected, Fresh oil change...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (21 City/28 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WAUY4GF56PN001540
Stock: B12188
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 12-31-2024
2023 Audi S5
Premium Plus 4dr Hatchback
$53,593
- 24,908 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 6cyl automatic
- Astorg Pre-Owned Plaza (132 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Charleston, WV
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
24 Combined MPG (21 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WAUC4CF54PA019044
Stock: CP1102
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-11-2025

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Audi offers the S5 as a coupe, convertible and four-door hatchback, which Audi calls the Sportback. The hallmark improvement over the base A5 is the upgrade from four to six cylinders, with all S5 models powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. Along with the jump in power comes a broader range of standard features such as massaging front seats with quilted upholstery and a more aggressive exterior appearance.

The closest rival to the two-door Audi S5 is the BMW M440i, while the four-door Acura TLX Type S is a match for the S5 Sportback. Both the BMW and Acura hold their own with equivalent power and performance, but the Audi has the upper hand when it comes to design.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The 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.}

Good

8.0

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.5/10

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.

Interior

7.5/10

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

8/10

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

8/10

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

7/10

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

7/10

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 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. Our test vehicle's starting price of $52K wasn'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 midlevel 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 think it's worth it to spring for the middle-tier Premium Plus trim, which includes the excellent Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, the larger digital instrument panel, a 360-degree camera system, wireless phone charging, and adaptive cruise control that works down to 0 miles per hour. It's the sweet spot in the trim levels.

Compare 2023 Audi S5 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2023 Audi S5 models

The 2023 Audi S5 is the higher-performance version of 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:

19.5-inch alloy wheels
Sport suspension
LED headlights
Panoramic sunroof (coupe and hatchback)
Automatic high beams
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 an 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 and keyless start
Heated steering wheel
Driver's seat memory functions
Front and rear parking sensors
Satellite radio
Blind-spot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Audi and the car in front)

Premium Plus
Moving up one tier to the Premium Plus gets you the features of the Convenience package as standard plus:

Digital instrument panel
Faux leather-wrapped center console and armrests
Wireless charging pad with a signal booster
Rear USB charge ports (Sportback only)
Bang & Olufsen premium sound system
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the S5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Lane keeping assistance (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
Heated rear seats
Navigation system with traffic sign recognition
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
Red brake calipers

Warm Weather package

Different sport seats with ventilation but without massage
Leather upholstery
Neck heaters (convertible only)

Black Optic package

20-inch wheels
Black exterior trim accents

Audi Sport Interior package

Contrasting red stitching
Carbon-fiber interior accents

Premium leather upholstery
Dynamic steering (changes steering ratio for higher or lower effort based on speed)

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 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 $4.08 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$204/mo

$160/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2/5Average

#63 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi S5 from 2008-2022.}

$849/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

2.27x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

20.5%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Audi S5 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.5

52 reviews

5(75%)

4(13%)

3(1%)

2(8%)

1(3%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Screaming fast. Fantastic fun

Mark J, 01/20/2019

2018 Audi S5 Premium Plus quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

5th update: 54,000 miles and 7.5 years. Still love this car. 4th update: 49,000 miles and almost 7 years. Still love this car. 3rd update: Not change, but needing breaks at 38,000 seems too soon when about 70% of 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 …

My First Audi. Glad it was the 2018 S5 Prestige!

Gene Simpson, 10/17/2017

2018 Audi S5 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 …

Fantastic Upgrade from 2015 S5.

Mythos, 11/11/2017

2018 Audi S5 Prestige quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

The overall feel to me is a higher level of sophistication than previous generation. Audi has made a step up in overall quality of interior design, materials and switch gear. Suspension changes are quite noticeable which provides a more sure footed feel. Gone is the under steer tendency when aggressively taking corners. It feels much quicker with surges of power more instantaneous …

Possibly the best car I have ever owned.

texastoast4, 01/28/2020

2019 Audi S5 3.0 TFSI Prestige quattro 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

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!

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Audi S5, so we've included reviews for other years of the S5 since its last redesign.

See all 52 reviews of the Audi S5

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2023 S5 Highlights

Type:

Hatchback

Trim:

Premium

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$55,800
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$204/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	21.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the S5 models:

Audi Pre Sense Basic and City: Warns of an impending front collision and automatically applies the brakes if you don't.
Audi Side Assist: Notifies you if there's a car in your blind spot and alerts you if you activate the turn signal.
Audi Active Lane Assist: Steers the S5 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.9%

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2023 Audi S5 Review

Price & Payment

2023 Audi S3 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale nearby

2023 Audi S5Prestige Convertible

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2023 Audi S5Premium Plus 4dr Hatchback

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which S5 does Edmunds recommend?

2023 Audi S5 models

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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 $4.08 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Audi S5 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Screaming fast. Fantastic fun

My First Audi. Glad it was the 2018 S5 Prestige!

Fantastic Upgrade from 2015 S5.

Possibly the best car I have ever owned.

2023 S5 Highlights

Safety

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2023 Audi S5
Prestige Convertible

2023 Audi S5
Premium Plus 4dr Hatchback

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 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 $4.08 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}