2024 Audi S5

The A5 can scratch that luxury car itch. There’s the subtle prestige of its styling — no one has ever called an Audi obnoxious or over-the-top. Inside the cabin, though, is a gorgeous environment. Beneath the skin, meanwhile, lies the assurance of all-wheel drive and a flowing character. Should anyone feel compelled to explore the range further, there are the hot S5 models and the molten RS 5 variants.

Based on the same platform as the A4 sedan, the A5 offers 2-door coupe and cabriolet (convertible) body styles, along with a surprisingly practical yet attractive 4-door hatchback version known as the Sportback. All three have that special Audi aura.

All variants in the 2024 A5 lineup gain a heated steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, active lane assistance, and a remote start function. The one exception is that the entry-level A5 Sportback 40 TSFI doesn’t get the remote start.

The Premium Plus trim offers a navigation package with road sign recognition and predictive adaptive cruise control — this is standard in the top Prestige trim. The package also includes a 6-month subscription to Audi Connect Plus, accessing the Audi app store for music, games, news, and weather.

There might be more significant changes on the horizon. This generation of A5 debuted for the 2018 model year — so it’s not precisely creakingly old. Still, progress seems much faster, fueled by the push toward electric vehicles and all the exciting new technology. So don’t assume next year’s A5 will be the same as 2024’s.

The main rival is the BMW 4 Series. The Gran Coupe (the Sportback equivalent) starts at $48.3K. The Coupe begins at $49.9K and the Convertible at $58.1K. Bear in mind that these are more comparable to the A5 S line versions, engine-wise.

Perhaps someone looking only for a coupe might be swayed by the all-new Mercedes-Benz CLE, which is more in the $60K region. Or there’s the Lexus RC from $45.8K.

Before buying a new A5 compact luxury car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. In terms of resale values, the A5 doesn’t do quite as well as the BMW, which doesn’t do quite as well as the Lexus.

Compared with the base engines of other compact luxury cars, the 201 horsepower in the 2024 A5 Sportback 40 TSFI is modest. It will run from a standstill to 60 mph in about 7.2 seconds, perhaps just the other side of entertaining. We also found that it became more gripe-worthy as soon as we took the first corner and realized the chassis could cope with more muscle.

We suggest looking at something with the 261-horsepower 45 TSFI drivetrain if finances allow it. At least. Then, drivers will have the appropriate thrust for a luxury car, with the ability to 60 mph in about five seconds. Regardless of the engine, the A5 has a flow to it, the kind of ease that’s only possible because engineers worked hard to make it that way.

Speed and precision are ramped up in the S5. This upgrade is an acceptable middle ground between the regular A5 and the RS 5 models, which can go up against the BMW M4. An RS 5 can zip from a standstill to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, and an optional Competition package raises the top speed to 180 mph.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact luxury cars, including the Audi A5.

Fuel Economy

The 40 TSFI drivetrain in the most affordable A5 Sportback achieves 30 combined mpg (26 city, 34 highway). Such frugal ways are the silver lining to a lackluster engine.

The 45 TSFI manages 27 combined mpg (24 city, 32 highway) in both the Sportback and Coupe. The Cabriolet is thirstier on the highway by one mile per gallon. For comparison, each BMW 4 Series variant with all-wheel drive is also rated at 27 combined mpg.

The RS 5 Sportback runs to 20 mpg (18 city, 25 highway), and the RS 5 Coupe returns 21 mpg (18 city, 25 highway).

Audi vehicles are invariably prime examples of automotive interior design, like the 2024 A5 range.

Just as the exterior gives the impression that every line, shape, and proportion has been studied and honed by talented, hard-working designers with good taste, so do the door panels, dashboard, controls, and center console with the added awareness of textures.

Quality pervades these cabins like heat in a sauna. Clutter is absent.

A 10.1-inch touchscreen is standard, controlling a highly user-friendly infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. Leather seating surfaces are also standard.

The S5 models have leather/simulated suede upholstery with a diamond-stitched pattern. The RS 5 has fine Nappa leather with a honeycomb stitch, power-adjustable side cushions, and massaging functions for the front seats.

Limousine drivers aren’t going to buy a new A5, so the amount of rear passenger space in the Coupe and Sportback models is perfectly acceptable for a compact luxury car — enough for a couple of average-sized adults, as long as there’s no one taller in front.

The added practicality of the Sportback involves a powered tailgate, 40/20/40 split/folding rear seats, rear passenger doors, and cargo space that goes from 21 to 35 cubic feet.

If the A5 had come out this year, we would still say it looked fresh. Apart from the noticeable differences in body shapes, Audi has given the 2024 A5 a few subtle distinctions over its close relative, the A4 sedan. Each car has its own hood design, front air intakes, and grille treatments, for example.

The Sportback is the 4-door version with a sloping roof and a hatchback instead of a trunk. In the wake of other car companies slapping the “coupe” name on all sorts of vehicles, the A5 Coupe indeed lives up to its name with the requisite two doors. And the Cabriolet’s soft top folds completely into the body for the cleanest possible look. The S5 and RS 5 models add quad exhaust outlets, plus model-specific aerodynamic additions.

Arkona White replaces last year’s Ibis White. And Tango Red Metallic is replaced by Progressive Red Metallic.

A5 Sportback
Are you torn between the sensible A4 and the sensual A5 Coupe? The A5 Sportback blends sleekness with a practical hatchback. And it can be the least expensive new A5.

Audi Phone Box
This feature provides wireless charging and a phone signal booster. It becomes standard at the Premium Plus level, an excellent trim to aim for in general because of its extra equipment.

Virtual Cockpit
Sure, it’s been around for some time, and other car makers are getting in on the act. But this 12.3-inch configurable digital driver information display still looks fantastic and remains easy to operate. Like a lot of good things, it becomes standard in Premium Plus versions.

Bang & Olufsen audio
Standard from the Premium Plus trim level of the 2024 A5 lineup, this 20-speaker/755-watt surround-sound system puts the art into Mozart and the rave into Ravel.

S5 models
It isn’t just the go-faster nature of the S5 variants, although that’s part of the appeal. They’re also balanced with plenty of luxury features. These cars are great packages overall.

Park Assist
Once an A5 driver has found a parking space, either perpendicular or parallel, this feature will apply the right degree and direction of steering. The driver just handles the gears, brakes, and throttle. It’s part of the Prestige trim in all A5 and S5 variants, optional in the RS 5.

The least powerful engine in the 2024 A5 range is found only in the least expensive Sportback. The 40 TSFI drivetrain consists of a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, connected to a 7-speed automated transmission.

The same engine and transmission in the 45 TSFI configuration, but the output is boosted to a now-you’re-talking 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This goes into the Sportback, Coupe, and Cabriolet models.

All-wheel drive is standard across the lineup, from the lowly 40 TSFI to the ultra-quick RS 5.

S5 variants cook up 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. A twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 endows the RS 5 Coupe and Sportback models with 444 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. That’s a lot of power for a compact car.

The S5 and RS 5 cars each use an 8-speed automatic transmission.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Audi’s new vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. Roadside assistance is included. This is typical among European luxury car manufacturers.

Safety Ratings

The A5 Coupe and A5 Sportback have been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The institute hasn’t posted test results for the A5 Cabriolet. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the A5 Sportback a maximum 5-Star overall score but has not tested the A5 Coupe or A5 Cabriolet.