Rivals are quicker and more fuel efficient, but we’d still spend our money on the Audi S5 Sportback.

They are saying you may’t have all of it, however the 2024 Audi S5 Sportback begs to vary. This automotive combines coupe fashion and sedan practicality, however provides a hatchback-style liftgate that improves practicality to near-SUV ranges. That appears like the best mixture to us, however Sportback fashions just like the S5 have didn’t take off within the US due to the recognition of crossovers. The truth is, the S5 Sportback solely has one shut competitor within the BMW 4 Collection Gran Coupe, which is obtainable in M440i guise.

2024 Audi S5 Sportback

BuzzScore

Base MSRP

$57,500

Engine

3.0L Turbo V6 Gasoline

Horsepower

349 hp

Torque

369 lb-ft

Exterior Design

9 / 10

Efficiency

8 / 10

Gas Effectivity

8 / 10

Inside & Cargo

9 / 10

Infotainment & Options

9 / 10

Reliability

9 / 10

Security

9 / 10

Worth For Cash

8 / 10

Present Extra

Professionals

• Sporty but elegant seems to be
• Glorious practicality with ample cargo area
• Snug cabin with high-end supplies
• Three trim ranges to select from
• Superior journey and dealing with

Cons

• Not essentially the most potent or quickest within the section
• Lower than best gasoline financial system
• Slight headroom penalty due to sloping roof

The S5 is predicated on Audi’s A5 lineup, which is obtainable as a two-door coupe, cabriolet, and the aforementioned Sportback. Whereas much less potent than the high-performance RS5, the S5 boasts important energy positive factors over the bottom A5 whereas retaining consolation and each day drivability. Energy comes from a turbocharged V6, producing a wholesome 349 horsepower. Audi hasn’t majorly up to date the A5 line in a number of years, however after spending per week within the S5 Sportback, it would not really feel dated inside. We would go as far as to say the S5, significantly within the Sportback physique fashion, could be probably the most well-rounded sports activities sedans in the marketplace.

Exterior: Coupe Costume, Hatch Coronary heart

From the B-Pillar ahead, the S5 Sportback is sort of an identical to the S5 Coupe. Transferring in the direction of the again, the Sportback provides a second set of doorways and an extended rear deck that accommodates a hatch opening. The Sportback stretches 187.2 inches in size, making it 2.3 inches longer than the Coupe. Audi even will increase the wheelbase from 108.8 to 111.2 inches, which is analogous to the S4 Sedan.

The present A5 lineup has been in the marketplace for the reason that 2018 mannequin 12 months, with the Sportback arriving stateside for the primary time within the mannequin’s historical past round that point. Audi facelifted the automotive in 2020, making modifications to the headlights and taillights. For 2024, a brand new coloration known as Progressive Purple (pictured) replaces the longstanding Tango Purple. Except for delicate hues like white, black, and grey, Audi additionally presents Navarra Blue Metallic and District Inexperienced Metallic.

19-inch five-spoke, double-arm wheels come commonplace, however the $1,800 Black Optic Plus Bundle provides sportier 20-inch polygon design wheels in addition to black exterior trim (Audi rings, mirror housings, fender badges, exhaust suggestions, and rear lip spoiler). For a comparatively low value, the Black Optic Plus Bundle makes the S5 look much more aggressive than the bottom mannequin.

Inside: Sporty And Practical

Audi has improved the know-how contained in the S5 over time, however the general format hasn’t modified a lot for the reason that 2020 replace. A ten.1-inch touchscreen comes commonplace with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, powered by Audi’s MIB 3 infotainment software program. It is not the biggest display within the class, nevertheless it’s straightforward to make use of and comes with loads of bodily buttons to make local weather management much less of a trouble, in contrast to the BMW 4 Collection. The intuitive design extends to the Audi Digital Cockpit, which might show a full-color map or present three totally different gauge kinds.

Each S5 Sportback will get particular sports activities seats with diamond stitching and the S brand embossed on the seat backs. The bottom Premium trim interiors are available in Black or Rotor Grey, whereas the Premium Plus and Status add nice Nappa leather-based choices for $1,000, equivalent to Black with Crescendo Purple stitching, Magma Purple with Granite stitching, and Rotor Grey with Anthracite stitching. These sports activities seats look implausible, and may be heated with a therapeutic massage operate. Sadly, entrance seat air flow is a part of the $550 Heat Climate Bundle that deletes the game seats and replaces them with the common ones from the A5 Sportback, so you may’t have your cake and eat it, too.

Practicality: Who Wants An SUV?

With the addition of rear doorways and an extended wheelbase, the S5 Sportback is extra spacious than the S5 Coupe. Rear legroom sits at 35.1 inches, a large 2.4-inch improve over the S5 Coupe; the S4 Sedan is roomier although at 35.7 inches. Rear headroom is barely compromised barely by that glossy Sportback styling.

• 

  S5 Sportback

  Sportback

  Inside Area

  Legrooom Entrance|Rear

  41.3 | 35.1 inches

  Headroom Entrance|Rear

  37.8 | 37 inches

  Cargo Area

  21.8 – 35 ft³

• 

  S5 Coupe

  Coupe

  Inside Area

  Legrooom Entrance|Rear

  37.4 | 36.1 inches

  Headroom Entrance|Rear

  41.3 | 32.7 inches

  Cargo Area

  10.9 ft³

• 

  S4 Sedan

  Sedan

  Inside Area

  Legrooom Entrance|Rear

  41.3 | 35.7 inches

  Headroom Entrance|Rear

  37.3 | 37.4 inches

  Cargo Area

  12 ft³

The Sportback units itself aside from different S5 physique kinds and the S4 when it comes to cargo capability. It delivers a powerful 21.8 cubic toes of area behind the rear seats, which might open to 35 cubic toes with the seats folded. By comparability, the S5 Coupe supply slightly below 11 cubes and the S4 Sedan not way more than that. A similarly-priced Audi SQ5 Sportback boasts 24.7 cubic toes (51.9 cubes when folded), however as an SUV, it lacks the S5’s enticing coupe roofline and styling.

Efficiency: Speedy Sufficient

Audi S fashions are all about delivering a major enhance in efficiency with out compromising on each day consolation. The S5 Sportback replaces the A5’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 3.0-liter boosted V6. It delivers a wholesome 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, going out to plain quattro all-wheel-drive by way of a easy eight-speed automated transmission. Audi quotes a 4.5-second 0-60 mph time, which we have been capable of match all the way down to the final tenth of a second due to a easy, drama-free launch management system. Patrons who crave AMG or M ranges of efficiency ought to search out the RS5 Sportback, which makes use of a smaller 2.9-liter V6 with two turbos, producing 444 hp and 442 lb-ft.

• 

  2024 Audi S5 Sportback

  Audi

  Efficiency Specs

  Engine

  3.0L Turbo V6 Gasoline

  Drivetrain

  All-Wheel Drive

  Transmission

  8-Velocity Automated

  Horsepower

  349 hp

  Torque

  369 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm

  0-60 MPH

  4.5 seconds

  Prime Velocity

  155 mph

• 

  2024 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe

  BMW

  Efficiency Specs

  Engine

  3.0L Turbo Inline-6 Gasoline

  Drivetrain

  All-Wheel Drive

  Transmission

  8-Velocity Automated

  Horsepower

  382 hp

  Torque

  369 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm

  0-60 MPH

  4.4 seconds

  Prime Velocity

  130 mph (155 mph with elevated limiter)

The S5 is not essentially the most highly effective sports activities sedan on this section, nevertheless it’s only a tenth of a second behind the 382-hp M440i, and it manages to be fairly environment friendly, too. EPA scores of 20/29/23 mpg on the town/freeway/mixed cycles is not dangerous, nevertheless it’s price noting that the stronger BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe is extra environment friendly nonetheless at 22/30/25 mpg.

Driving Impressions: On a regular basis Efficiency

It is outstanding how nicely Audi S automobiles mix velocity and luxury into one car. Our tester got here outfitted with the $2,500 S Sport Bundle, which provides a sport adaptive damping suspension together with a sport rear differential and pink brake calipers. The optionally available suspension rides superbly over bumps to the purpose the place we nearly forgot we have been driving an S5 quite than an A5. Put the automotive into Dynamic Mode, and the suspension corporations up; it by no means reaches an uncomfortable stage, nevertheless it controls the physique extra and would not enable as a lot lean.

12:01

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There are sharper sports activities sedans on the market, however the S5 probably strikes the most effective stability between thrills and softness. The $1,150 optionally available Dynamic Steering has a pleasant heft to it with out being twitchy, and it delivers sufficient suggestions to really feel the rear finish rotate as you feed into the throttle. Audi’s turbo V6 emits a candy wail, with little crackles on the overrun and on downshifts to make the expertise satisfying. All issues thought-about, the S5 Sportback is a sensational all-rounder.

Pricing & Verdict: Excellent Mixture

Regardless of being bigger and extra sensible, the S5 Sportback is priced identically to the S5 Coupe, beginning at $57,500 for the Premium trim. We would extremely suggest stepping as much as the Premium Plus for $60,500, because it provides Bang & Olufsen audio, Digital Cockpit Plus, a wi-fi telephone charger, Audi Facet Help, and a top-view digicam. The Status begins to get expensive at $64,900, nevertheless it provides Audi Laser Mild, headlight/taillight animations, a head-up show, navigation, and park help. Our tester additionally had a number of choices, pulling the worth to $72,940 with a $1,095 vacation spot cost included.

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The Audi S5 sportback undercuts the BMW M440i Gran Coupe, which begins at $61,050, however is priced at $63,050 with xDrive all-wheel drive to place it on par with S5 Sportback. If it was our cash, we would accept the well-equipped Premium Plus, then add a premium coloration like Progressive Purple ($595), the Black Optic Plus Bundle ($1,800), Nappa leather-based ($1,000), and the S Sport Bundle ($2,500). That leaves the S5 Sportback at an inexpensive $67,490.

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New Audi S5 Sportback Spied Testing With Gasoline-Powered Engine

It sounds just like the turbocharged V6 to us.

The 2024 S5 Sportback would not have essentially the most fashionable know-how, neither is it the quickest or most cost-effective luxurious sports activities sedan you should buy. You could possibly buy an S4 Sedan for much less, however you’d lose out on fashion and practicality. The BMW is faster, however its newer tech detracts from being simple to make use of. Regardless of its relative age, we predict the S5 Sportback combines all the pieces we would need in a each day driver, so we would gladly spend our personal cash on one.