2017 Audi S5 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What’s new

　　With an all-new S5 coming for the 2018 model year, there are no significant changes for 2017.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　Nine years is a long time for a car to survive without a redesign. It's even longer for a sport luxury coupe, yet the 2017 Audi S5 remains just as desirable as it was when it debuted in 2008. That's a testament to the S5's timeless design inside and out, as well as its comfort and potent performance.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Audi S5 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$224/mo  for S5 quattro

　　S5 quattro

　　quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 6M) - $53,100 MSRPquattro 2dr Coupe AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 7AM) - $54,100 MSRPquattro 2dr Convertible AWD (3.0L 6cyl S/C 7AM) (Most Popular) - $61,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　At long last, a replacement is just over the horizon, with an edgier look and sharply creased body panels. That means if you're partial to the smooth flowing lines of this current-generation S5, this is your last chance to get one. Keep in mind that you'll likely be missing out on all of the latest technology as well as improvements in performance and efficiency.

　　Newer S5 rivals also enjoy similar advantages for the time being and are worthy of your consideration. These include the BMW 440i, BMW 440i and Cadillac ATS Coupe. It can be argued that these alternatives lack the timeless style of the 2017 Audi S5, so you'll have to decide for yourself if this classic shape can still compete.

　　Standard safety features for the 2017 Audi S5 include antilock brakes, stability/traction control, front-seat side and knee airbags, and (in the coupe) full-length side curtain airbags. A blind-spot monitoring system, a rearview camera, and front and rear parking sensors are included in the Technology package

　　In zzdcar brake testing, the S5 coupe and convertible came to a stop from 60 mph within a foot of each other at 108 and 109 feet, respectively. These distances are comparable to those of competing vehicles with summer performance tires.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　The 2017 Audi S5 has stood the test of time when it comes to style and performance, but after almost a decade, it has fallen behind the times in regard to technology.

　　

Driving

　　The 2017 Audi S5 is remarkably easy to live with, yet it's ready to thrill whenever you get the urge. Power from the supercharged V6 is plentiful, and this one is virtually vibration-free, even as it approaches the redline. The standard steering system manages to be both calm on the highway and responsive in turns. We also like the feel of the sport differential during aggressive driving, though you won't get much use out of this feature unless you're comfortable taking corners with all four tires squealing.

　　Drivers who choose the coupe's stick shift will be rewarded with precise, positive action through the gates. That's no knock on the S tronic automatic transmission, however, which supplies silky-smooth shifts in normal driving yet reacts quickly to the manual commands of the paddle shifters, executing rev-matched downshifts with clinical precision.

　　Even with the Audi S5's sporting personality, ride quality remains quite pleasant overall. The optional adaptive suspension gives the driver some choice in the matter, but we think the standard calibration strikes an agreeable balance between comfort and control. Whether you're on a twisty mountain pass or in the midst of a cross-country trek, this handsome two-door is a rewarding traveling companion.

　　

Interior

　　Much like its exterior, the 2017 Audi S5's interior has held up well over time thanks to its elegantly simple design and excellent materials. Most controls are logically placed, and all buttons and knobs have a quality feel. It loses some points for the lack of a USB port; instead it has a proprietary cable that supports only the latest Apple devices.

　　Front passengers will appreciate the well-shaped seats that provide plenty of support over extended trips and hold you in tight when cornering. Rear seat passengers, on the other hand, will find the child-sized accommodations lacking in head- and legroom. The convertible top does get high marks for its quick operation and ability to keep out wind and road noise.

　　Cargo capacity for the coupe comes to 12.2 cubic feet, which is smaller than rivals. The convertible takes away another 2 cubic feet, but the folding rear seats offer good overflow space.

　　

2017 Audi S5 models

　　The 2017 Audi S5 is a four-passenger luxury coupe that is also available as a cabriolet (convertible). Standard features include 18-inch wheels with performance tires, automatic xenon headlights, LED running lights and foglights, heated auto-dimming mirrors, automatic wipers, a sunroof (coupe only), cruise control, keyless entry/ignition and selectable drive modes. The S5 cabriolet also receives a power-folding cloth top and a wind blocker.

　　Inside, you get tri-zone automatic climate control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leather/faux-suede upholstery (premium leather for the cabriolet), 16-way power-adjustable and heated front seats with driver seat memory functions, 60/40-split folding rear seats, brushed aluminum interior trim, ambient interior lighting, a universal garage door opener, Bluetooth, Audi's MMI infotainment system, and a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system with satellite radio, an SD card reader and iPod integration.

　　Options include the 19- or 20-inch wheels, a sport differential, an adaptive suspension and the Technology package (adaptive headlights, a blind-spot monitor, rear parking sensors, a navigation system with voice control, a rearview camera, a Wi-Fi hot spot, Google Maps and services, HD radio and a DVD player). The cabriolet's premium leather is available on the coupe as an option.

　　The 2017 Audi S5 is powered by a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. The coupe comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission is optional on the coupe and standard on the cabriolet. Every S5 features all-wheel drive, which can be enhanced with an optional sport differential that actively distributes torque between the rear wheels for optimal cornering precision.

　　In zzdcar performance testing, an S5 coupe equipped with the automatic transmission (and pre-programmed launch mode) accelerated to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, which is a quick time among its primary rivals. The convertible hit 60 mph in a competitive 5.3 seconds.

　　The EPA estimates fuel economy of 20 mpg combined (17 city/26 highway) for the coupe with the manual transmission and 21 mpg combined (18 city/28 highway) with the automatic. The convertible is rated at 21 mpg combined (18 city/26 highway).

　　

2017 S5 Highlights

Type: CoupeConvertibleCoupe

　　

Base MSRP	$53,100
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$224/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles