Audi A5 vs Audi S5

The 2025 Audi A5 presented a familiar yet refined aesthetic, maintaining the brand's signature styling with its large "single frame" grille and prominent daytime running lights. Despite its hatchback design, the A5's profile closely resembled a sedan, reminiscent of the Audi A4 it replaced. While the design elements were familiar, they lacked excitement, though subtle details like the "ice cream scoop" hood indents and programmable lighting signatures added a touch of modernity. The interior followed Audi's current design language, featuring a dashboard with a curved screen and a passenger touchscreen, offering a more integrated look compared to other models. The standard leather upholstery and impressive material quality elevated the A5's interior, making it a standout in its class.

In contrast, the 2026 Audi S5 embraced a softer, more organic design, moving away from the sharp lines of its predecessors. While it retained the fender blisters reminiscent of the original Audi quattro, the overall styling was less distinctive. The S5 relied on digital OLED lighting and intricately spoked 20-inch wheels to add personality. Inside, the S5's tech-centric design was both a highlight and a drawback, with screens dominating the dashboard and collecting fingerprints. The black Fine Nappa leather seats with diamond stitching provided a luxurious touch, though some glossy plastics detracted from the overall quality. The S5's interior was a blend of high-tech features and traditional luxury, appealing to those who prioritize technology in their driving experience.

The 2025 Audi A5 offered two powertrain options, both featuring standard all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The base model was equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, marking an improvement over the previous model. The sportier S5 variant boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, delivering 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Audi introduced variable-geometry turbochargers for quicker response, reducing turbo lag and enhancing acceleration. The A5 achieved a 0-100 km/h time of 5.9 seconds, while the S5 reached the same speed in 4.6 seconds, with top speeds of 210 km/h and 250 km/h, respectively. Both models featured brake-based torque vectoring, with the S5 offering sportier suspension tuning and a sport rear differential for enhanced performance.

The 2026 Audi S5 continued to impress with its turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, producing 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The standard quattro all-wheel-drive system and seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission ensured a dynamic driving experience. The S5's sport differential, sport suspension, and larger brakes with red calipers contributed to its sporty character. Audi claimed a 0-100 km/h time of 4.6 seconds for the S5, making it significantly quicker than the A5. However, the S5's fuel efficiency was lower, with a combined rating of 10.2 litres per 100 kilometres. The adaptive air suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride, though road noise was more pronounced than expected. Despite some minor flaws, the S5 excelled in delivering exhilarating performance on winding roads, with its adaptive suspension and sport differential enhancing cornering capabilities.

The 2025 Audi A5's redesign resulted in a larger and more spacious interior, with increased dimensions in length, width, and height. The extended wheelbase contributed to additional rear legroom, while front legroom remained unchanged. The A5 offered ample shoulder and headroom, making it a comfortable choice for passengers. Its cargo space was unrivalled in the segment, with 640 litres available behind the rear seats and 1,026 litres with the seats folded. The A5's hatchback design facilitated easy access to the cargo area, and the dimmable glass roof added a touch of luxury. Heated front seats were standard, with heated rear seats and ventilated front seats available as options.

The 2026 Audi S5, though compact, provided sufficient space for four adults. The front seats were well-padded and bolstered, offering good support, though some might find them confining. The rear seats offered decent leg support and a comfortable backrest angle, with heated outboard seats and manual sunshades enhancing comfort. The panoramic glass sunroof brightened the interior, though solar heating could be an issue on hot days. The S5 excelled in cargo capacity, with a power liftgate granting access to a 640-litre area, expandable to 1,062 litres with the rear seats folded. The S5's storage solutions were practical, making it a versatile choice for those needing extra space.

The 2025 Audi A5 featured a significant infotainment upgrade, with a standard 14.5-inch touchscreen and an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster housed in a curved display. An optional 10.9-inch front-passenger touchscreen was available with the Technik trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and device charging were standard, along with four USB-C ports. The infotainment system's placement was driver-focused, with high-quality graphics and improved voice recognition. An optional Bang & Olufsen audio system with 20 speakers enhanced the audio experience, while digital key technology and a head-up display added convenience.

The 2026 Audi S5's technology suite included an 11.9-inch digital driver display and a 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen, offering a modern aesthetic. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and navigation with satellite imagery were standard. Audi simplified the user experience, though some tech aspects remained frustrating. The voice assistant was not user-friendly, and the system's reliance on ChatGPT raised concerns. The Bang & Olufsen audio system, head-up display, and optional front-passenger touchscreen added to the S5's tech appeal, though the overall experience could be improved.

The 2025 Audi A5 came equipped with standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, active front assist, safe-exit warning, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert. Park assist and adaptive cruise assist were available options. While complete safety ratings were not available, initial crash test results from the IIHS were positive, and Audi aimed for high safety ratings similar to its predecessors.

The 2026 Audi S5 boasted a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The S5 Technik test car also featured advanced camera views, rear automatic emergency braking, and semi-autonomous parking assist. While safety ratings were not yet available, the S5's extensive safety features provided peace of mind.