The interior of the 2025 Audi S5 has upped the ante with a high-tech layout that features up to three screens. The expansive setup of displays allows drivers and passengers to control everything from navigation to comfort settings with ease.
The attention to detail in the cabin is evident, combining luxury and sportiness with premium materials and a driver-focused design. The layout is intuitive, making navigation through different features straightforward while driving.
From the cockpit, drivers are greeted with a modern ambiance enriched by ambient lighting, comfortable seating, and high-quality finishes that are a hallmark of the Audi brand. Additionally, the integration of advanced safety and driver-assistance technologies enhances the overall driving experience, ensuring peace of mind on both winding roads and highways.
The 2025 Audi S5 marks a significant advancement in the automaker’s commitment to delivering performance and luxury. With its agile dynamics, modern design, and sophisticated technology, it stands as a compelling option in the world of high-performance grand tourers.
The vehicle utilizes brake torque vectoring and optimizes torque distribution across the entire rear axle to enhance traction during corner exits, enabling faster acceleration as the car exits turns.
The Goodyear tires offer more than sufficient grip for the demands of driving along mountain roads, although switching to a set of Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires would likely provide even greater adhesion.
Moreover, the S5 is impressively quiet, even with the absence of the trunk that was present in the S4. At present, I do not notice any road noise emanating from the rear wheels, although this may change when driving on the coarse surfaces typical of American roads.
In general, the S5 presents a sporty yet enjoyable driving experience, a quality that is increasingly rare as lower cars are replaced by taller crossovers and SUVs.
Audi S5: A Balance of Power
The immediate availability of power is also a highlight. Under its hood, the S5 is equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that generates 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. This marks an increase of 13 hp and 37 lb-ft compared to the previous model, attributed to an improved combustion process and a newly designed turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. While the advancements in performance are modest, there was no overwhelming need for a dramatic overhaul.
I am driving a Euro-specific variant that has implemented more advancements. While the engine remains the same, it incorporates a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that contributes an additional 24 hp during acceleration and is capable of powering the car alone at low speeds, such as in city or parking lot conditions. This system also helps to fill torque gaps between shifts of the generally responsive and well-mannered 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
For the U.S. model, which lacks the mild-hybrid system, Audi claims a 0-60 mph sprint of 4.6 seconds. The added power from the mild-hybrid system allows for a slightly quicker time of 4.5 seconds in the 0-62 mph run. This variance is likely due to faster throttle response at the start and a bit more urgency in the midrange. Regardless, the turbo V-6 offers ample power for any driving situation while producing a robust growl.
Audi effectively integrates the brake regeneration of the 48-volt mild-hybrid with the S5’s mechanical brakes to provide a seamless pedal feel. The vehicle features 14.2-inch front rotors and 13.8-inch rear rotors, all equipped with single-piston floating calipers. This setup is adequate for spirited driving on winding mountain roads, although I wouldn’t bet on it performing well on a racetrack.
Audi S5: Expansive, Tech-Enhanced Cockpit
Audi has completely revamped the cockpit as well, increasing space for passengers and integrating the latest connectivity features. The dashboard now showcases up to three screens: a standard 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 14.5-inch center touchscreen angled toward the driver for accessibility. An optional 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger allows them to control entertainment and navigation features as well as watch videos invisible to the driver.
The S5 operates on the newest iteration of Audi’s infotainment software, capable of managing vehicle, navigation, and entertainment tasks. It incorporates ChatGPT for requests the standard system cannot address. The center screen is customizable, enabling users to position apps according to their preferences. Additionally, the available Bang & Olufsen headrest speakers can deliver audio for navigation without disturbing other passengers.
Touchpads have also been introduced on the doors for controlling mirrors, seat memory functions, front and rear fog lights, and door locks. At first glance, this might appear as excessive, yet their operation resembles that of standard door controls.
The redesign enhances the S5’s capacity for both passengers and cargo. Standard leather upholstery greets occupants, while the front seats boast heating, cooling, and massage functionalities. Rear seat passengers benefit from an additional inch of legroom. I found it comfortable to sit behind my own driving position at 5-foot-9, but taller individuals over 6-foot may experience difficulties with leg and headroom in the back.
While it may resemble a sedan, the vehicle is actually a hatchback, offering 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, which expands to 45.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down in a 60:40 split. This makes the sleek S5 almost as versatile as a standard compact crossover SUV.
Furthermore, the occupants enjoy a high-end cabin ambiance featuring soft-touch materials, albeit without the standout design elements evident in previous Audi models. My Ascari Blue S5 is adorned with black and steel gray nappa leather upholstery complemented by contrasting stitching on the seats, armrests, dashboard, and center console. The interior also features synthetic suede along the dash beneath the screens, piano black accents on the center console, and small carbon-fiber details on the sides of the console. While it may lack the contrasting aluminum of earlier models, it still presents a tech-savvy and upscale environment.
The pricing structure and full specification list for the 2025 Audi S5 have yet to be revealed, and it is anticipated that these details will be announced just before the model arrives in U.S. dealerships next summer. As the brand shifts towards a sporty and versatile hatchback design, it is expected that the base price will exceed the current figures of $56,195 for the S4 sedan and $58,595 for both the S5 Sportback and coupe variants. It appears unlikely that the coupe or convertible options will return, as this more functional body style aims to appeal to a broader U.S. customer base.
More features are on the horizon, however. Audi has shared that the A5 and S5 will include standard amenities such as leather seats, navigation, a panoramic sunroof, a power-operated hatch, and a wireless phone charging station. Available extras will feature a Bang & Olufsen sound system with speakers in the headrests, a steering column that adjusts electronically, and a 10.9-inch display for the front passenger.
Standard safety features in other regions will consist of parking sensors, lane-departure alerts, and a driver-attention detection system. However, U.S. versions can expect a more comprehensive suite that includes automatic emergency braking, front cross-traffic assist, adaptive cruise control, and a simple rear-seat reminder feature activated if the rear doors have been opened. Additionally, Audi is set to provide a more sophisticated rear-seat reminder system that relies on sensors, along with Adaptive Cruise Control+, which observes the vehicle’s environment, utilizes map and cloud-based swarm data, and recognizes traffic signs, thereby allowing for hands-free driving for brief periods.
Prospective buyers of the new S5 will find themselves far from restricted. They will enjoy a nimble, sporty vehicle that offers ample comfort for four occupants along with sufficient cargo space. While Audi is making significant strides towards electric vehicles, the 2025 S5 also represents an advancement in the brand’s gasoline-powered lineup.
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