Premium quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
Premium TFSI quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
Premium TFSI quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
Premium quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
Premium TFSI quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)
The luxury coupe segment has been flooded with sumptuous offerings, but Audi produces the second most powerful engine in the competition, with 349 hp hitting at a peak of 5400 rpm.
Slotted in between the gentle A5 and the more aggressive RS5, the S5 is said to be the better driver-focused Audi with the 5 nomenclature on its tailgate. As a standalone, the S5 will strike you with its strong and simple design aesthetic, but sometimes the simplicity may risk getting easily camouflaged in a metropolitan landscape.
But that shouldn’t be mistaken, for this luxury coupe from Audi aims comes packed with a juicy V6 and Nappa leather stitching on the inside. Prices start from $52,000, without any options. But a fully well-specced car would go the extra mile and make that journey back from the corporate office, something to look forward to.
The ZF-Tiptronic Automatic transmission system is a charm, that has been tuned to deliver more efficiency in terms of fuel consumption, without compromising on performance. The 2019 Audi S5 Coupe is the second-fastest luxury coupe too, covering the 0-60 mph speed mark in just 4.3 seconds. But are all these credentials enough to win Audi’s cars? What might still seem to lack? Let’s find that out.
Model |
S5 Premium |
S5 Premium Plus |
S5 Prestige |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$52,400 |
$56,800 |
$60,500 |
Key Features |
18-inch wheels with summer performance tires |
Front and rear parking sensors |
Head-up display |
LED headlights |
Hands-free trunklid opener |
Adaptive cruise control |
|
Panoramic sunroof |
Keyless entry and ignition |
Lane keeping assist |
|
Sport suspension |
Navigation system |
Automated parking system |
|
Selectable drive modes |
8.3-inch infotainment display |
Surround-view camera system |
|
Tri-zone automatic climate control |
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert |
19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system |
|
MMI infotainment system with a 7-inch screen |
Vehicle exit alert |
||
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
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The Premium Plus trim is the best S5 to have which comes with sporty performance upgrades and essential features like, sport-tuned adaptive suspension and an upgraded rear differential for a reasonable price.
The Audi S5 comes with a powerful 3.0L turbocharged V6 with a much smoother torque curve than you'd expect. With virtually zero turbo lag the throttle control is bliss in both stop and go traffic in cities as well as cruising through highways. The Tiptronic automatic transmission is quick and intuitive enough that it does not constantly need to shift through the gears to find the right one.
Models |
Audi S5 |
Mercedes Benz E450 |
BMW 4-Series 440i |
Lexus RC |
---|---|---|---|---|
Price |
$52,400 |
$59,800 |
$51,200 |
$50,790 |
Engine |
Intercooled Turbo 3.0L V-6 |
3.0L Twin Turbo Unleaded V-6 |
3.0L Intercooled Turbo Premium U`1nleaded I-6 |
3.5L Premium Unleaded V6 |
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic Tiptronic |
9-Speed Automatic |
8-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
Horsepower |
349 hp @5400 rpm |
362 @ 5500 |
322 @ 5500 |
311@6600 |
Torque |
369 lb-ft @ 1370 rpm |
369 @ 1800 |
330 @ 1380 |
280 @ 4800 |
In comparison, the E-class Mercedes-Benz has a more powerful engine, but the rear-wheel-drive coupe feels like it could reach the edge of the traction. The 4-series BMW on the other hand is rather underpowered for the price and you'd find much more pleasure in the M4 instead.
The Quattro all-wheel coupe's smooth acceleration is not to be taken lightly. Flooring the pedal makes the coupe accelerate hard and takes it to 60 in a matter of 4.3 seconds. The quarter-mile is covered in 12.8 seconds, quite unexpected for a coupe that doesn't have Audi's RS badge.
Models |
Audi S5 |
Mercedes Benz E450 |
BMW 4-Series 440i |
Lexus RC |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
4.3 seconds |
4.1 seconds |
4.4 seconds |
5.9 seconds |
Quarter mile |
12.8 seconds |
12.6seconds |
12.9 seconds |
N/A |
Engine |
3.0L |
3.0L |
3.0L |
3.5L |
Comparatively the Mercedes is faster to 60 with a much more powerful engine and subsequently quicker through the quarter-mile. However, the Lexus is at a major disadvantage here, with merely 311hp, it takes 5.9 seconds to reach 60.
With an improved multi-link suspension and a stiffer chassis, the S5 coupe has a much better ride quality than the previous model. The optional adaptive dampers and sport suspensions slightly stiffened up the ride but make your daily commute sportier by keeping the coupe planted to the tarmac.
The optional dynamic steering mimics the intuitive steering usually found in high-end supercars, which varies the gear ratio based on your speed and steering angle. It has been specifically designed to give the driver optimum feedback and can be adjusted based on the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.
The Audi S5 Coupe has robust brakes that help stop it the quickest amongst its competition. The technology used is immaculate and proves to be life-saving in case of situations demanding sudden braking as well. It has 13.8-inch diameter front brakes to ensure quick braking.
Model |
Audi S5 |
Mercedes Benz E450 |
BMW 4-Series 440i |
Lexus RC |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in.) |
13.8 |
14.2 |
13.4 |
14 |
Brake Rear (in.) |
13 |
14.2 |
13 |
12 |
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
3847 |
4200 |
3635 |
3748 |
70-0 MPH (ft.) |
N/A |
N/A |
166 |
N/A |
The brakes used in the Audi are not the biggest, but still, it can stop before the Mercedes does and also before the much lighter BMW does. The Audi is no doubt the best as far as braking is considered.
As far as fuel economy is concerned, the S5 doesn't have the best-in-class economy but delivers a decent 21 in the city, 30 on the highway, and 24 combined. The fuel economy doesn't come off as a negative when you notice the performance aspect of the Audi S5 Coupe.
Model |
Audi S5 |
Mercedes Benz E450 |
BMW 4-Series 440i |
Lexus RC |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
21 |
19 |
21 |
20 |
MPG (highway) |
30 |
26 |
32 |
28 |
MPG (combined) |
24 |
22 |
25 |
23 |
However, the BMW and the Mercedes have better fuel economy than it. The BMW wins this one with the highest economy claimed to be 25 combined mpg for followed closely by the Mercedes-Benz E 450 with 22 mpg combined for the same.
For a luxury coupe, the seating capability of 4 passengers does not seem justified. The sloping roofline for the coupe type body of the car compromises the seating comfort in the rear seats. The headroom and shoulder room are not much, however; the passengers in the front are comfortable in the leather seats.
Model |
Audi S5 |
Mercedes Benz E450 |
BMW 4-Series 440i |
Lexus RC |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
37.9/57.8/41.3 |
40.9/56.1/41.8 |
39.8/55.3/42.2 |
39/54.7/45.4 |
Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
38.2/56.9/32.7 |
36.4/50.3/N/A |
36.1/51.7/33.7 |
34.8/50.8/27.3 |
Mercedes-Benz E450 feels nice and plush but crammed in the rear. It feels smaller in the cabin and only the front seats are comfortable. It cannot be called practical for weekend trips but daily commuting is possible. The BMW however, is very spacious and airy when compared to the other cars in context. It has lots of headroom, legroom, as well as shoulder room in the front but the rear seats, are good only for kids.
The Audi's convertible is full to the brim with high-end features and technologies at the price range. With a 10-speaker system, upgradeable to a 12-speaker Bang and Olufsen surround sound system, the Audi could make it feel like a concert within your car. The integrated driver information system with Bluetooth compatibility.
On the steering, you'd find the cruise and audio controls at your thumb's reach. However, with a major update around the corner, we could see Audi bringing much more to the table.
Despite its size, the Audi S5 lacks the trunk size that you'd require from a coupe. At 11.6 cubic feet, the trunk is much smaller than the 15 cubic feet capacity of the E-class, but still ahead of the Lexus. The top of the line is the BMW 4-series which has 15.7 cubic feet.
Model |
Audi S5 |
Mercedes Benz E450 |
BMW 4-Series 440i |
Lexus RC |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Volume (ft.3) |
11.6 |
15 |
15.7 |
10.4 |
Even though the Audi S5 is loaded with features and technology, it manages to weigh less than 4000 pounds which are considered to be a good weight for a luxury coupe.
The handling is amazing and the Quattro AWD technology of the Audi helps make it razor-sharp precise while steering. This helps in cornering perfectly at high speeds as well making it a very confidence-inspiring car.
Model |
Audi S5 |
Mercedes Benz E450 |
BMW 4-Series 440i |
Lexus RC |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight (lbs.) |
3847 |
4200 |
3635 |
3748 |
Length(in) |
184.7 |
190 |
182.6 |
184.8 |
Width(in) |
72.7 |
73.2 |
71.9 |
72.4 |
Height(in) |
53.9 |
56.3 |
54.2 |
54.9 |
Ground clearance (in) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
5.3 |
Wheelbase (in) |
108.8 |
113.1 |
110.6 |
107.5 |
Track width (in) F/R |
62.5/61.7 |
63.2/63.3 |
60.8/62.8 |
62.2/61.8 |
The Audi isn't the heaviest of the bunch, that title goes to the E-class coupe, but neither is it the lightest. The BMW 4-series is the lightest coupe from the lot and also the shortest. The wider, longer, and lower Mercedes creates a more imposing street presence for the coupe.
The E-class Mercedes is a much more powerful as well as well-equipped alternative to the S5. The engine is more lively and the handling has a much more aggressive feel compared to the smooth and refined acceleration of the S5, which could also be a plus point for some, especially if it snows often. The Audi, however, gets a more upscaled and ergonomically designed cabin and infotainment compared to the Mercedes.
The BMW 4-series, much like the Mercedes is also a treat to drive, however, it lacks the grip and refinement you'd need if you intend to daily drive the coupe.
The interiors and infotainment still have the archaic feel in the BMW compared to the Audi which seems more like a spaceship. In terms of practicality the BMW, however, takes the cake.
The 2019 Audi S5 Coupe is a value for money coupe that delivers good performance, precise handling, robust braking, and all the comfort one needs. It has decent fuel economy, average cargo volume, and a very addictive exhaust note from the sporty V6 motor. It falls a bit short at comforting the rear passengers and rear visibility but doesn't fail to bring a smile to the occupants face. Being an S5 it will satisfy all the needs at the front, in the driver's seat. It will ride as you would want it to ride and it will glide. Based on Volkswagen’s MLB Evo platform, the Audi S5 Coupe is a very well built car that is equally safe too. If the rear seat compromise can be looked at or improvised, then the S5 deserves genuine consideration. However, since it’s us, we would rather go for the much more ballistic RS5 and run amok. But then again, that’s us.