2026 Audi S5

The 2026 Audi S5 kicks off the next generation of the brand's small performance sedan. Except it's not a sedan. Audi calls it that, but with four doors, a sleek coupe roofline and a rear liftgate, the S5 is a hatchback by any other name. Semantics aside, the S5's design gives it a practical edge against rivals with conventional trunks, offering easier loading and more space. The S5's robust V6 engine also delivers swift and satisfying speed, and there's a stack of impressive new in-car tech. Still, the S5 lacks the handling spark of some competitors, making it a great all-around choice but not an inspired performer.

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe shares the S5's four-door liftback design. It actually offers more maximum cargo space (with the rear seats folded) than the Audi but less volume behind the upright second row. The BMW also comes up slightly shorter in rear legroom and headroom. The Acura Integra Type S is another sporty liftback that, while not as polished or luxurious as the S5, delivers reasonably punchy performance at a lower price. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a traditional rival with plenty of luxury pedigree, but its conventional trunk space lacks the S5's versatility.

The new-generation S5 is two cars in one. It replaces the previous S4 sedan and updates the earlier S5 Sportback's design with a similar profile that sits atop a new underlying platform. This gives the S5 a little extra length and width, for more legroom and cargo space. It's still a compact luxury car, though. Two 6-foot passengers can sit in tandem, but it's tight. The S5's 22.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats is larger by nearly 1 cubic foot (and 2.5 cubic feet larger with the seats folded) than the old S5, making it a sportier alternative to a compact SUV like Audi's Q5. And with its 0-60 mph sprint time of 4.6 seconds, the S5 has plenty of sport, even if we found its handling a bit dull. Inside, the S5 continues Audi's penchant for sharp tech, including a 14.5-inch central touchscreen and an optional front passenger display.