Rivals are faster and extra gas environment friendly, however we would nonetheless spend our cash on the Audi S5 Sportback.

They are saying you’ll be able to’t have all of it, however the 2024 Audi S5 Sportback begs to vary. This automobile combines coupe model and sedan practicality, however provides a hatchback-style liftgate that improves practicality to near-SUV ranges. That feels like the perfect mixture to us, however Sportback fashions just like the S5 have did not take off within the US because of the recognition of crossovers. In truth, the S5 Sportback solely has one shut competitor within the BMW 4 Collection Gran Coupe, which is obtainable in M440i guise.

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 vital energy features over the bottom A5 whereas retaining consolation and day by 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, notably within the Sportback physique model, may be some of the well-rounded sports activities sedans available on the market.

Exterior: Coupe Costume, Hatch Coronary heart

From the B-Pillar ahead, the S5 Sportback is almost similar to the S5 Coupe. Shifting 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 has similarities to the S4 Sedan.

The present A5 lineup has been available on the market 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 automobile in 2020, making modifications to the headlights and taillights. For 2024, a brand new shade known as Progressive Pink (pictured) replaces the longstanding Tango Pink. Apart from refined hues like white, black, and grey, Audi additionally affords Navarra Blue Metallic and District Inexperienced Metallic.

19-inch five-spoke, double-arm wheels come commonplace, however the $1,800 Black Optic Plus Package deal 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 price, the Black Optic Plus Package deal makes the S5 look much more aggressive than the bottom mannequin.

Inside: Sporty And Purposeful

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 most important display within the class, however it’s simple to make use of and comes with loads of bodily buttons to make local weather management much less of a problem, not like 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 Black or Rotor Grey, whereas the Premium Plus and Status add nice Nappa leather-based choices for $1,000, comparable to Black with Crescendo Pink stitching, Magma Pink with Granite stitching, and Rotor Grey with Anthracite stitching. These sports activities seats look implausible, and may be heated with a therapeutic massage perform. Sadly, entrance seat air flow is a part of the $550 Heat Climate Package deal that deletes the game seats and replaces them with the common ones from the A5 Sportback, so you’ll be able to’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 simply compromised barely by that smooth Sportback styling.

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

Efficiency: Speedy Sufficient

Audi S fashions are all about delivering a big increase in efficiency with out compromising on day by 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 clean eight-speed automated transmission. Audi quotes a 4.5-second 0-60 mph time, which we had been capable of match right down to the final tenth of a second because of a clean, drama-free launch management system. Patrons who crave AMG or M ranges of efficiency ought to hunt down the RS5 Sportback, which makes use of a smaller 2.9-liter V6 with two turbos, producing 444 hp and 442 lb-ft.

The S5 is not probably the most highly effective sports activities sedan on this phase, however it’s only a tenth of a second behind the 382-hp M440i, and it manages to be moderately environment friendly, too. EPA rankings of 20/29/23 mpg on town/freeway/mixed cycles is not dangerous, however it’s value 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 exceptional how effectively Audi S autos mix pace and luxury into one automobile. Our tester got here geared up with the $2,500 S Sport Package deal, which provides a sport adaptive damping suspension together with a sport rear differential and crimson brake calipers. The non-obligatory suspension rides fantastically over bumps to the purpose the place we virtually forgot we had been driving an S5 relatively than an A5. Put the automobile into Dynamic Mode, and the suspension corporations up; it by no means reaches an uncomfortable degree, however it controls the physique extra and would not enable as a lot lean.

There are sharper sports activities sedans on the market, however the S5 probably strikes the most effective steadiness between thrills and softness. The $1,150 non-obligatory 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 of, the S5 Sportback is a sensational all-rounder.

Pricing & Verdict: Good 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 dear at $64,900, however it provides Audi Laser Gentle, 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.

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 shade like Progressive Pink ($595), the Black Optic Plus Package deal ($1,800), Nappa leather-based ($1,000), and the S Sport Package deal ($2,500). That leaves the S5 Sportback at an affordable $67,490.

The 2024 S5 Sportback would not have probably the most fashionable know-how, neither is it the quickest or most cost-effective luxurious sports activities sedan you should buy. You would buy an S4 Sedan for much less, however you’d lose out on model 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 every little thing we would need in a day by day driver, so we would gladly spend our personal cash on one.