The 2021 Audi S5 is offered in three trim levels and two body styles. The trim levels are the same as the previous model year. However, there are a few changes for the 2021 model and these include wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity and a few more driver aids in the Premium Plus trim level. There is a RS 5 version for buyers looking for a sporty variant that is much more powerful and expensive. The base trim level, as we said is packed to the brim with features such as LED headlights, panoramic sunroof, three-zone automatic climate control, leather, and faux suede upholstery, LED ambient lighting, and so on that make it quite an attractive buy.

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What is spoiled for choice when you look at the Audi S5 Cabriolet trim levels. The price range is also quite varied as the car starts at $61,145 and goes all the way up to $74,770. Audi also offers a lot of packages in all trim levels including the S Sport package, warm weather package, black optic package, and so on. According to us, the trim to go for is the Premium Plus trim level which is the middle variant. We chose this for a couple of reasons including adaptive cruise control, a top-view camera system, and a steering wheel with hands-on detection. These features along with this trim level being eligible for more optional packages than the lower trim level make it the best buy. 

Audi has made it a point to provide its hotter version of the Audi A5 with a good engine. The S5 Cabriolet comes with a 3.0 L turbocharged V-6 engine that produces 349 hp & 369 lb-ft of torque. Transmission duties are handled by a very quick eight-speed automatic transmission and combined with the Quattro system, makes for a good combo. The car is on the heavier side due to the Cabriolet body style and the all-wheel-drive system. However, it has very capable handling and feels light on its feet.

 The drivetrain is all-wheel-drive only as all performance versions from the German brand. Speaking about outright acceleration, the convertible does really well, stomp on the pedal and it goes from 0 to 60 in just 4.8 seconds and goes on to complete the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds. The best handling versions of this car are the ones equipped with the S Sport Package which adds a torque-vectoring rear differential and adaptive dampers. However, we recommend sticking to the normal steering rack and not the dynamic steering.

In this comparison, the Mercedes is the most powerful car and it also has the best acceleration among all the cars we have here. The Audi is decently powerful and nips right at the Mercedes AMG’s heels. But what we feel the Mercedes lacks is the value for money proposition that Audi offers. The Porsche is the most expensive car in the segment while it is also much more fun to drive compared to everything else in this class. However, we cannot deny that the Audi is an excellent choice.

How well does the 2021 Audi S5 Cabriolet handle?

The Audi S5 Cabriolet has very capable handling due to the better-balanced chassis and the all-wheel-drive system that helps it short out of corners like a rocket. We feel that the rear bias in the Quattro system makes it very capable and has fixed many of its handling issues. However, it does not feel as dramatic as some of its rivals do and yet you find yourself doing illegal speeds unless you’re careful because the car is that enjoyable.

The torque-vectoring rear differential is a great addition to the dynamic capabilities of the Audi S5. However, we felt that the steering lacks a bit of feedback as it has been the norm for most Audi cars of late. The right gets a little stiff when you equip the larger wheels but it still is very much bearable. One needs to equip the car with good rubber because it finds a lot of grip in its suspension setup.

2021 Audi S5 Cabriolet Braking Performance

 Just like its handling, the Audi S5 has very capable braking and feels very confident and precise. Unlike its steering, the brakes have adequate feedback and reward you every time you have to make an emergency stop. It does not put your body to a lot of strain by coming to a stop but still gives you adequate bite to maneuver emergency situations. The rotors are adequately large measuring 13.8 inches in the front and 13 inches in the rear.

We observed that the Audi has the best braking in the category, stopping from 60 mph in just 108 feet. The Mercedes stops 1 foot later and hence is very much close. The Porsche is the lightest car in the segment but has much smaller brake rotors and hence stops a wee bit later. The car with the largest rotors in the segment is the Mercedes but braking performance is the monopoly of the Audi.

The Audi has the 3.0 L turbocharged V6 engine, from the Volkswagen Group which has been reputed to strike a good balance between performance and efficiency. Thanks to modern technology as well as the expertise of the Volkswagen group in terms of performance engines, the car manages to churn out the decent fuel efficiency of 22 MPG combined. The city fuel efficiency is also quite impressive at 20 MPG. The tank size is decent at 15.3-gallon and can take you for 398 miles on the highway between fuel stops.

The BMW manages to better the fuel efficiency ratings of its competitors by a very fair amount, almost 4 MPG in every single aspect. This makes it the most frugal car of the bunch. The Mercedes-AMG has bad fuel efficiency when you compare it with its rivals but has the largest fuel tank and hence holds its head out of the water in terms of the overall range. Despite this, the BMW has the largest range of 484 miles on the highway. The Porsche has very much decent fuel efficiency and returns a comparable range even with a smaller fuel tank. 

Audi has a reputation for making extremely high-quality and expensive feeling interiors. The interior of the 2021 Audi S5 Cabriolet is no exception to this rule. Most of the contact surfaces are covered in genuine leather, wood trim, and alloy accents that give it a very plush feel. One can also note that it is very elegant to look at. The subtle accent lines and wooden inlays make sure the cabin does look like a luxurious one. Audi also makes it a point to provide very high-quality materials in order to distinguish its cars from cheaper products among its corporate siblings. 

The layout is very ergonomic and user-friendly, however, there is a slight deficit in terms of the rear seat this is however fixed with the four-door Audi S5 Sportback. The switchgear is easy to access and the buttons are large. The seats are also built extremely well and support you when carving corners. The overall fit and finish are also excellent even in the category with very competitive rivals. Cargo space is a little on the lower side at 7.3 ft.³.

As we have mentioned, the cargo capacity of the Audi S5 is on the lower side at 7.3 ft.³ is the BMWs just a little better. The leader in terms of cargo space is the Porsche which is a surprise because it even defeats the Mercedes. However, the Audi is very much spacious on the inside and feels like the biggest car in its segment when it comes to this particular regard. All cars seat passengers while the Porsche Boxster S has its engine mounted in the middle and hence can only seat two people. Let’s see some of the interior highlights: 

• Proximity key
• Keyfob trunk/hatch/door release
• Front cupholders
• Rear air conditioning with separate controls
• Automatic temperature control
• 2 driver memory seat settings
• Refrigerated/cooled box
• Garage door transmitter

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Audi provides excellent infotainment systems in all its cars with its current generation MMI interface. The S5 is fitted with the latest that is available from the brand. That is a 10.1 touch screen infotainment screen that gets Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay as standard. The system has graphics that are crisp and vibrant and Audi’s virtual cockpit is probably one of the best among all brands. The sound system is excellent and provides very crisp audio but if you are a true audiophile, you need to upgrade to the optional Bang and Olufsen audio system. The navigation system is very simple to use and the controls are very straightforward and user-friendly. Some of the standard features of the infotainment system are:

• Audi connect CARE
• Natural language voice control system
• Audi smartphone interface with Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto for compatible devices
• Audi connect CARE assistance and security services with a limited-time subscription
• Audi sound system with 10 speakers, 6-channel amplifier, and 180 watts
• MMI touch display with 10.1" screen
• Cruise control with coast, resume and accelerate features
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• HomeLink System
• SmartAccess key
• Bluetooth Technology

The Audi S5 Cabriolet is designed with the same philosophy as the rest of the brand’s line-up. It has very understated styling which leaves you a bit to be desired next to its competitors. However, we’re sure that the design is going to age very well and might even look good 15 years later. It breaks away from the typical Audi design language of straight lines and incorporates a lot of curves and a lot of other shapes that give it a sense of dynamism. It certainly looks the part and should attract buyers. 

The BMW is the heaviest car in the segment because it also has an all-wheel-drive system. By dimensions, the Audi is the widest, and the longest vehicle in the group today, and yet it offers the least amount of cargo space. The Porsche is much lighter but has collected the same in terms of the practical compromises it has in terms of passenger capacity. None of the cars have any good ground clearance but the BMW is much better in this regard providing 5.7 inches of ground clearance. Some of the exterior highlights include:

• Glass rear window
• Power convertible roof with lining, automatic roll-over protection
• Metal-look front bumper insert
• Metal-look rear bumper insert
• Chrome grille
• Body-colored door handles
• Turn signal indicator mirrors
• Convertible roof wind blocker
• Rocker panel extensions

As a brand, Audi has always had a definite focus on safety. However, being a low-volume vehicle, it has not been crash-tested by either IIHS or NHTSA. However, we can determine its safety quotient from the 2020 Audi S5 Cabriolet which was crash-tested by the NHTSA and scored an excellent five-star rating. Since this car is also part of the same generation, we can only assume that the 2021 models have become safer due to the new driver aids. Some standard safety features include:

• Fixed front head restraints
• Remote activated perimeter/approach lights
• Audi pre sense 360
• 8 Occupant sensing airbags
• Daytime running lights
• Panic alarm
• Brake assist
• ABS and driveline traction control

2021 Audi S5 Cabriolet vs 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster S

The Porsche Boxster is a smaller car with an engine in the middle and hence has much better driving dynamics. However, it does not accelerate as quickly or provide anything close to the fuel efficiency that the Audi does. One will also find that its interiors are a little more cramped that provides extra cargo space. It also costs a significant bit extra and hence will not appeal to somebody who is on a budget. The Audi also has the credentials of being able to double up as a family car when needed. 

2021 Audi S5 Cabriolet vs 2021 Mercedes-AMG C 43 Convertible

The Mercedes-AMG C 43 convertible has had a lot of takers due to its AMG badge. However, the Audi manages to undercut its price and still provide nearly the same amount of equipment. The Mercedes offers slightly better cargo space and scores a bit higher in terms of practicality but suffers in terms of fuel efficiency. It is a bit more powerful and scores better in terms of acceleration. But the Audi has the lead in terms of braking and handling.

2021 Audi S5 Cabriolet vs 2021 BMW M440i Convertible

The BMW M440i is one of the benchmarks in this category. The BMW is a better performing, feature-rich, and relatively newer car. It is arguably a bit more fun to drive because it has a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system. In terms of fuel efficiency, the BMW scores very excellent results and also has excellent interiors and infotainment features. However, in terms of its design, the Audi is miles ahead and built much better. Hence we would pick the Audi.

The new Audi S5 Cabriolet is one of the most affordable performance luxury convertibles. It starts at a price of $61,145 which is quite a deal. It provides excellent performance in this category and amazing interiors and convenience features. It has the top-notch build quality and comes in a package that looks absolutely beautiful. One of its only disadvantages is that it finds itself in a category with very strong rivals that are equally capable. Audi also brings timely updates to make sure the car is relevant for the current model year. We would definitely recommend that you buy it.