WASHINGTON — Audi has been building this popular coupe since 2007 and there are several versions, from the turbo four cylinder A5 to my tester, the supercharged V6 S5 with 333hp. But time is running out to get this generation of the popular midsize coupe, because an update to the Audi A5/S5 is coming. Good news — the look doesn’t change very much on the outside.
Audi has been making the A5/S5 coupe for nearly nine years now and it still looks great on the road. Its proportions seem just about right everywhere on the outside, with a long hood and a roof line that isn’t radical. The grill on the S5 is large but not as big as newer Audi vehicles. There’s a nice lip spoiler at the bottom of the grill, so be careful for curbs because it sits low on the body. The doors are large and long, so getting in and out of the car is easy.
With the S5, you also have lower body extensions below the doors that add flair to the side of the car and a choice of 18 to 20-inch wheels that help fill the wheel well and add to the sporty look. The rear-end styling is “basic Audi,” with the addition of quad tip exhaust that further enhances the sports car vibe.
One area the Audi is starting to show its age is the interior, and the issue can be summed up by the lack of tech gadgets. The navigation/radio screen is on the small side for today’s cars and it looks smaller than it is because it’s recessed in the dash. There aren’t USB ports either, so you have to use the Audi cable to connect a device.
Luckily, the climate control is easy to use with real knobs — unlike some of the competition that has gone touch screen crazy lately. Still, most of the interior has stood the test of time and is typical of Audi, with a nice layout and high-quality materials.
The sport front seats are leather with good-looking Alcantara inserts, and are also body hugging with nice comfort. There are back seats that can be used by children, but there isn’t much space. The gauges are simple and easy to read with a small screen for fuel economy and other functions.
The real treat is driving the S5. It’s a very fun-driving car with good power. The 7-speed automatic is very good with quick shifts and there’s also a manual transmission, if you choose. It’s good on back roads and highways, so you can use this car year round in all conditions because of its famous Quattro AWD system. My car was fitted with the basic 18-inch wheels, so the ride was very forgiving. Larger wheels might be rougher on bumpy city streets.
I had a good time listening to this supercharged engine work and it’s pretty smooth. You don’t really hear much from the supercharger but you can feel it working away. With 333hp, there’s enough power to have fun without getting into too much trouble.
Fuel economy is OK for the fun — I had managing 20.6 mpg in 275 miles of mixed driving on premium fuel.
The S5 is a fun coupe to drive with a good combination of looks and refinement that still make this a desirable machine that’s worth a drive. Before you buy your next luxury coupe, look at the Audi S5 — a solid choice among all the new faces.
Editor’s Note: Mike Parris is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association. The vehicles are provided by STI, FMI or Event Solutions for the purpose of this review.
