Audi's A5 sedan is new for 2025, and so is the range-topping S5 version. As before, the S5 delivers more power, torque, and performance than the A5, with both versions featuring a new dual-clutch gearbox aimed at improving responses. Audi has also effectively combined the previous A4/A5's sedan and Sportback body styles, with the new car getting a three-box form but also a rear liftgate. The new interior leans even further into Audi's commitment to tech and safety, while exterior lighting changes make it possible to configure the car's running light signature.

How Does It Drive?, What's It Like to Live with?, Should I Buy One?, Highlights and Lowlights

2025 audi s5 rear three quarter outside of aspen colorado

Lowdown

We have already driven a European-spec Audi S5, but this is our first chance to get behind the wheel of a U.S.-spec version, which uses a different V-6 that lacks the Euro car's hybrid assistance.

Both 2025 A5 and S5 are based on the new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture that's shared with the Q5 family. The sedan is now 2.7 inches longer, 0.6 inch wider, and 2.0 inches taller than its predecessor. That added length allows for 2.6 extra inches of wheelbase, which brings an additional inch of rear legroom and more cargo capacity over the outgoing machine.

The S5 features a reworked version of the existing turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, which now provides 362 hp and 406 lb-ft. The old car's eight-speed torque converter auto has been ditched in favor of a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which sends power to all four wheels via standard Quattro all-wheel drive.

Every U.S.-bound S5 also now comes with a standard sport rear differential, which helped to liven up the experience compared to the standard A5. Our S5 test car also came equipped with the adaptive S sport suspension setup, complete with electronic damper control via the drive mode selector.

Vehicle Tested: 2025 Audi S5 Prestige
Base Price: $63,995
Price as tested: $73,940
Location: Aspen, Colorado

More Specs

Engine: 2995-cc turbocharged V-6

Power: 362 hp @ 5,500 rpm

Torque: 406 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm

0-60 mph: 4.3 sec (mfr)

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive

Weight: 4288 pounds (mfr)

How Does It Drive?

2025 audi s5 front three quarter outside of aspen colorado traveling at speed

The S5 represents Audi's most popular entry in what is often regarded as the "not quite" sport-sedan segment. It lacks the proper track-carving hardware fitted to the brand’s top- RS performance models, but it is a significant step beyond the regular A5 and its four-cylinder engine. On some of the finer mountain passes outside of Aspen, Colorado, the new S5 didn't disappoint.

Despite having grown, this S5 never felt like it had swelled beyond its predecessor's segment. The adaptive dampers of the optional adaptive S sport suspension brought a real breadth of capability to the ride. In its softer settings it proved to be just as comfortable as the standard A5's passive dampers, while the sporty Dynamic mode brought impressive poise in the turns without turning the S5 harsh. I found Dynamic to be the most enjoyable mode, even when just puttering around town.

The S5's speed-sensitive steering weighted up well in each of the modes, providing accurate and confidence-inspiring control of the front axle. Audi has improved the setup over the old S5 by hard-mounting the steering rack directly to the body and by stiffening the front torsion bar. Road texture is still only reported in muted terms through the steering wheel, but at least there is some information to work with.

Closeup of a audi S5 wheel

Choosing the S5 and its 3.0-liter V-6 brings significant improvements in both performance and character over the A5. The lesser model feels as if it wants to isolate you completely from the engine, but the S5 feeds intake and exhaust notes into the cabin and delivers both more urge and quicker reactions. While it is natural to wish for even more cylinders, and remember the days when Audi S4s did indeed pack V-8s, the new S5's V-6 actually did sound rather nice when working hard over Independence Pass. It even gets to sing through genuine exhaust tips, rather than fake ones this time, too. Copious torque makes it easy to build and carry speed, working with the fast-acting differentials to blast the S5 out of corners.

The new transmission felt like a natural fit for the S5 and is as slick as you'd expect a VW Group dual-clutch to be. But while the paddle shifters engaged with a nice click, I still wanted them to be made from a nicer material than dark plastic. Yet overall, this is an impressively talented all-rounder that provides all the performance most customers will ever want.

What's It Like to Live with?

Interior view of an Audi S5 showcasing dashboard and technology

The interior of the S5 shares a lot of similarities with the new Q5, including a focus on technology and safety features. The view forward is dominated by the new screen setup, which features a 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The screens do a great job fighting glare thanks to OLED illumination and a high resolution. The Prestige package also adds a third screen in front of the passenger seat, this measuring 10.9 inches. This display is hidden from the driver via a filter when the car is in motion, and it offers a full suite of streaming apps that allows the passenger to watch content. There's also an AI-backed voice assistant that Audi claims will respond to over 800 individual commands. In my car, this proved to be pretty smart, although a list of the general commands would also be a useful addition to the owner's manual, as I found it to be a little hit or miss at working out what I wanted.

Those in the rear seats don't have to give up much in the way of comfort, although headroom was lacking for my 6-foot-3 frame when sitting there. I wouldn't want to go on a road trip in the back, but it is more than comfortable enough for a quick trip or school run. Rear headroom is clearly a casualty of the sloping liftback design, but that compromise brings 22.6 cubic feet of trunk space. Fold the rear seats and that expands to 36.6 cubic, which is cavernous for something that looks so sleek.

Audi S5 rear cargo hatch highlight with mountain behind in Aspen

The S5's Prestige package is an expensive option at $7550, but it does help to elevate the luxury part of the S5's mission.

So equipped, the front sport seats are heated, ventilated, and offer massage functionality, which found constant use during my trek through the Rockies. Prestige brings nicer napa leather surfaces and microsuede accents throughout, which have a genuine RS vibe to them. While my test car featured the standard black interior, the optional red looks genuinely expensive. The electrochromic glass roof brought some much appreciated light to the cabin, but it can be individually configured in a variety of patterns if front and rear seat passengers can't agree. The slick 20-inch rims you see on this S5 carry an additional $1800 fee, but they really pop against the taut fenders.

Should I Buy One?

Audi S5 driving on a winding road outside of Aspen

The Audi S5 slots right up against many of its competitors in terms of price. The $63,995 base price is right in line with models like the Mercedes-AMG C43, which starts at $65,270, and the BMW M340i xDrive, which starts at $63,375.

That said, our tester's as-tested price of $73,940 is dangerously close to the BMW M3's base price of $77,175. Perhaps worse yet, the wonderful Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing starts at $63,690 and still comes standard with a manual gearbox—a superpower in this part of the market.

The Audi is a very handsome car with premium appointments and is genuinely more luxurious than the Cadillac. If all-weather confidence is more important than all-out performance, the S5 is a thoroughly enjoyable mid-level sedan. But for those who cherish dynamics over raw traction, the S5 might not be the perfect choice. It certainly wasn't disappointing from behind the wheel, but it also felt closer to the standard model than something like the Blackwing does.

Highlights and Lowlights

We Love:

Potent twin-turbo V-6.
Sharp-shifting dual-clutch.
Surprisingly generous cargo capacity.

We Don't:

Loads of haptic controls.
Endless piano-black plastic.
Restricted rear headroom.

Favorite Detail

The Prestige package brings new LED headlights and OLED taillights, which feature an immense amount of customization. The front lights have eight customizable LED signatures, which shift the attitude of the car's front end. The rear does a similar trick, with more than 360 individual segments that can be adjusted to create a unique look. Gimmicky? Sure. Rad as heck? Absolutely.