While many carmakers are getting away from sedans in favor of crossovers and SUVs, there’s still a market for sedans, particularly sports sedans like Audi’s 2022 S5 AWD Sportback sedan. The S5 Sportback caters to those who want a driver’s car with performance characteristics, AWD for inclement weather and a slick, stylish design.
The 2022 S5 is Audi’s second-generation version that was introduced in 2018. It’s offered in coupe, convertible and 4-door hatchback, and in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels. We were privileged to test the latter, and what a delight it was.
Aside from its aero design with its sloping Sportback roofline that dips to meet a nicely integrated trunk lid spoiler that tails off at racy quad tailpipes, the S5’s interior is also sporty. It contains a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a wide digital gauge cluster and faux carbon fiber trim throughout the cockpit. The touchscreen serves the audio, navigation, frontal and rearview cameras with overhead view, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a myriad of other functions as part of Audi’s configurable Virtual Cockpit.
Front seats have diamond-stitched cloth inserts with sueded trim over all high wear points, plus they have a massage feature. And the seats have just the right amount of lateral support to keep the torso secure under spirited driving.
HVAC controls are large and easy to use. The panel housing them is encircled with faux carbon fiber trim.
A low-profile gear selector, for the 8-speed automatic transmission, has a “P” on its edge for Park gear. A wireless phone charger resides below it within the console box.
S5 comes with a parking assist function that can park the car and a lane keeping assist to keep it between the roadway lines.
Heated back seats require a head-duck for tall folks because of the sloping roofline, but they can comfortably seat two adults or three youngsters.
The cargo or trunk area is crossover spacious. While Audi doesn’t list cubic foot capacities for the trunk on their media website, it measures 42 inches deep, 38.5 wide and 28 high with the 40/20/40 rear seats upright. Flip them and cargo depth extends to 66 inches. It can easily hold two golf bags or three large rollie luggage bags plus some smaller duffel bags. Even a child’s small two-wheel bike will fit with the seats folded.
Powered by a 3.0-liter turbo V6 that generates 349-hp and 369 lb/ft of torque, it earned EPA mileage ratings of 21 city, 30-highway mpg with engine start/stop technology. Coupled to the 8-speed auto transmission, standing stop acceleration and highway passing power is quick and exhilarating, while the quad exhausts emit a sweet rumble. An independent test had the S5 do 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. But push the accelerator too hard too often and S5s impressive fuel economy suffers.
S5 offers Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual driving modes. Of the four, Dynamic tightens up the suspension for sporty handling. S5 also comes with a Lap Timer, but I don’t know why anyone would race this handsome sedan.
Shod with 20-inch Continental tires, S5 rides smoothly, especially in Comfort mode. In sharp turns S5 remains planted and handles like a true luxury sports sedan.
But as a luxury sports sedan, it comes at a luxury price. With a long list of standard features including a panoramic sunroof, the Prestige package on the test car added $8,400 to the base price of $54,900. It included a gamut of niceties and features that are often included in lesser sedans. Items such as navigation, active lane assist, heated steering wheel, driver’s memory seat, top view camera and others are part of this package. However, they are embedded with items like Bang & Olufsen audio, SiriusXM radio, auto dimming power folding outside mirrors, heated rear seats, Audi advanced key, adaptive cruise w/traffic jam assist, alarm system w/motion sensor and many more. Add to this the Black Optic package ($1,400) that adds bi-color polygon 5-spoke wheels and blackened trim accents, and the bottom line reflected $65,745 with delivery. As pricey as this may seem, it’s comparable to BMW’s 4-Series GC, Acura TLX Type S, Lexus RC and Mercedes CLS sports sedan and a few others.
S5 Sportback comes with a 4 year/50K vehicle warranty; 12-year anti-corrosion warranty; and 4-year roadside assistance coverage.
With its quattro AWD, superb handling and potent power, the S5 Sportback is an engaging, balanced and luxurious driver’s car.
