To charm up the midsize sport sedan segment, Audi has offered the S5 since 2007. The S5 Sportback passes as a 4 door coupe for its sloping roofline. The 2022 S5 Sportback is coming soon with its turbocharged V-6 that puts rivals to shame when it comes to performance and efficiency. With a generation change and a facelift, we saw how better it could get against its performance sedan rivals.
As Audi has a mild approach with the S series, it still lacks in performance as compared to M-badged and AMG-powered cars and is difficult to differentiate with the A5 sedan. Yet the S5 Sportback is quite loaded with luxury features and technology inside. The upcoming S5 Sportback won't offer any major changes as compared to the 2021 S5, still, we'll be getting a refreshed version with few tweaks to the design and tech. For the 2022 model year, the S5 Sportback will take a step further with its pricing as you can expect it to be anything close to the $54,000 mark.
2022 Audi S5 Sportback Front View
2022 Audi S5 Sportback Rear View
Features
Since Audi is not expected to make any drastic changes to the 2022 Audi S5 Sportback, expect the trims to be similar to the previous 2021 model year with an additional handful of features now made standard. Apart from that, one can also opt for the option packages that add more convenience and value to the car.
Trims
Premium
Premium Plus
Prestige
MSRP
$54,000
$57,500
$63,000
Key Features
Center Limited Slip Differential
Blind Spot Warning
High-Pressure Washers Headlamps
Lane Departure Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control
Bang & Olufsen Premium Speakers
LED Dusk Sensing Headlamps
Front, Side, And Rear View Camera
Power Adjustable Lumbar Support
Three Zone Climate Control
Heated Steering Wheel
Multi-Level Heating Rear Seat
Multi-Level Heating & Massaging Front Seats
Leather/Alcantara Upholstery
Leatherette/Sueded Microfiber Upholstery
We Recommend
Although the base Premium trim comes very well loaded with features to suffice most needs of the owners, it won’t be a bad option to invest a bit more and opt for the Premium Plus trim which adds a few more safety and convenience features while also offering a superior cabin feel
Engine and Performance
8.5/10
Under the hood, the S5 Sportback is expected to retain its 3.0L turbocharged V-6 engine that runs on premium unleaded fuel. It produces 349 hp of peak power to all four wheels with the standard Quattro AWD system. The torque output reaches 369 lb-ft of peak torque at 3,200 rpm. The 8-Speed Tiptronic automatic transmission is paired with an electronic controller and an overdrive to ensure quick gear shifts.
2022 Audi S5 Sportback Engine Bay
If we consider the engine output, the Audi S5 Sportback seems capable with its 4.5 seconds of 0-60 MPH run and a quarter-mile that is quicker than the much more powerful AMG C43. The BMW M340i is still ahead with its fastest launch timing while the Kia Stinger is a few seconds behind the S5 Sportback with its similar performance.
Models
2022 Audi S5 Sportback
2021 BMW M340i
2021 Mercedes-AMG C 43
2022 Kia Stinger GT2
Base MSRP
$54,000
$54,700
$56,500
$50,390
Engine
3.0L, Turbocharged V6
3.0L, Turbocharged Inline-6
3.0L, Twin-Turbo V6
3.0L, Twin-Turbo V6
Transmission
8-Speed automatic w/od
8-Speed automatic w/od
9-Speed automatic w/od
8-Speed automatic w/od
Horsepower
349 hp @ 6,300 rpm
382 hp @ 5,000 rpm
385 hp @ 6,100 rpm
365 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
369 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm
369 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm
384 hp @ 2,500 rpm
376 hp @ 1,300 rpm
0-60 MPH (sec)
4.5
4.1
4.5
4.6
Quarter mile (sec)
13.0
12.3
13.2
13.2
*2021 data used for reference.
The S5 Sportback is getting close to the rivals with its increased price. A similar V6 engine can be seen on the rivals but with better output figures. Despite having the highest engine output, the Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 performs just on par with the S5 Sportback while BMW M340i is the quickest of the lot with the Kia Stinger GT right on the tail of the AMG C43.
How does the 2022 Audi S5 Sportback handle?
It is all about handling when you're behind the wheel of a power-packed car. The S5 Sportback gets a Servotronic electric power-assist steering that cuts short the struggle. The adaptive suspension with ride control makes the S5 Sportback lean around the corners. It comes equipped with a four-wheel independent suspension along with front and rear anti-roll bars.
2022 Audi S5 Sportback Handling
Gas pressurized shocks are provided at the front to deal with those bumps easily. The Audi dynamic electric power steering is optional that will change the whole driving experience. As the Quattro AWD divides the engine power in a ratio of 3:2 among the front and rear wheels, the crazy torque output makes it athletic and balanced at the same time.
Fuel Economy
7.0/10
The V6 engine in the 2021 Audi S5 Sportback is quite friendly with its fuel management and hence offers decent MPG ratings. The same will be the case with the 2022 model as the engine is expected to remain unchanged. The combined city and highway fuel economy of 23 mpg together with a 15.3-gallon fuel tank ensures peace of mind with about 350 miles of driving range on a single tank of gas, which is on par with the segment.
Models
2022 Audi S5 Sportback
2021 BMW M340i
2021 Mercedes-AMG C 43
2022 Kia Stinger GT2
MPG (City)
20
23
18
17
MPG (Highway)
28
32
27
25
MPG (Combined)
23
26
21
20
Fuel tank capacity (gallons)
15.3
15.6
17.4
15.9
Range (City / Highway / Combined) (Miles)
306 / 428 / 352
359 / 499 / 406
313 / 470 / 365
270 / 398 / 318
*2021 data used for reference.
With its fuel economy, the Audi S5 Sportback has surpassed rivals like the Mercedes-AMG C 43 and the Kia Stinger GT. However, it is still longing to get close to the BMW M340i with its extraordinary frugality. The inline-6 cylinder in the BMW is way ahead of all the other cars. The S5 Sportback will take the third spot in range owing to its small fuel tank.
Interior
9.0/10
The cabin experience in the Audi S5 Sportback is much better than a standard A5 as you get a sports-oriented design and a lot of tech for your convenience. It turns into a luxurious interior with the piano black theme, aluminum accents, premium leather upholstery, and stylish carbon fiber accents that will be offered as standard from now on.
2022 Audi S5 Sportback Dashboard
The sporty ergonomics keep the S5 up a notch from the A5. The comfort of the bucket seats comes with upto 10-way seat adjustments, lumbar and bolster support. You have heating functions both at the front and rear. The massaging function is available with the front seats. You can customize the interior with Hoxton or Nappa leather upholstery.
Models
2022 Audi S5 Sportback
2021 BMW M340i
2021 Mercedes-AMG C 43
2022 Kia Stinger GT2
Seating capacity
5
5
5
5
Front row (Headroom / Shoulder room / Legroom) (in)
Even with the similar seating capacity, the rivals are very much different from the S5 Sportback. Both the BMW M340i and the Kia Stinger GT 2 offer better room at the front. For the second row, the S5 Sportback may not be as spacious as the rivals but it does come close.
Among the German rivals, the Audi S5 Sportback has the most practical cargo space with a 21.8 cubic feet trunk that can accommodate upto 6 luggage at once. Moreover, you can put twice the luggage with the foldable rear seat as claimed by Audi. Still, the Kia Stinger GT has a better trunk capacity at 23.3 cu-ft. Standout interior features of the 2022 Audi Sportback:
Leather/Alcantara upholstery with carbon fiber accents
Sporty ergonomics
Spacious cabin with a massive trunk
Front and rear seat heating functions
8-way power front sport seats w/4-way power lumbar
Three-zone climate control
2022 Audi S5 Sportback: Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2022 S5 Sportback is supposed to retain its infotainment system. The smaller 8.3-inch touchscreen display was just replaced by a massive 10.1-inch display. It will offer an updated version of the Audi MMI system. The smart device integration is powered by an Audi smartphone interface and an Apple Carplay as standard.
2022 Audi S5 Sportback Infotainment System
You also get wireless phone connectivity and a SiriusXM radio subscription for 3 months. The optional packages add better features such as the MMI navigation plus, Audi Connect PRIME and Plus internet, and Audi Virtual cockpit plus. The 19-speaker setup by Bang and Olufsen speakers is available with a 750W amplifier. The instrument cluster is updated with a 12.3 inch TFT digital display that will enhance the connectivity as it comes with an MMI Navigation, wireless charging, and a signal booster. Highlight infotainment features of the 2022 S5 Sportback:
The exterior design of the S5 Sportback will mostly remain unchanged for the 2022 model year with identical dimensions. The sharp front fascia is designed with a massive one-piece honeycomb grille that looks its best in the black theme. The edgy aerodynamics is quite a head-turner. You already have upto 18 premium color options to personalize your S5. With the black optic package and optional metallic paint, the exterior looks aggressive.
2022 Audi S5 Sportback
Talking about the lights, Audi offers one-of-a-kind Matrix LED headlamps and thin LED tail lamps at the rear. The sloping roofline goes all the way back to the rear lip spoiler. At the rear, you have quad chrome tip exhausts that give the S5 a sports car-like rear fascia. Instead of the 18-inch alloys, you'll be getting bigger 19-inch wheels as standard.
Models
2022 Audi S5 Sportback
2021 BMW M340i
2021 Mercedes-AMG C 43
2022 Kia Stinger GT2
Curb weight (lbs)
3,924
3,849
3,826
3,829
Length (in)
187.2
185.7
185.0
190.2
Width (in)
72.6
71.9
71.3
73.6
Height (in)
54.6
56.4
56.3
55.1
Ground clearance (in)
4.6
5.4
3.5
NA
Wheelbase (in)
111.2
112.2
111.8
114.8
Track width (in) F/R
62.5/61.7
62.2/61.8
63.1/61.3
62.8/63.7
*2021 data used for reference.
The S5 Sportback is a massive sports sedan as compared to the BMW M340i and the Mercedes AMG C43. The Kia Stinger GT is however bigger than the S5. As Audi took inspiration from its sports cars, the S5 Sportback has a low stance in terms of height and ground clearance. Yet the S5 has the shortest wheelbase for a length of 187.2 inches. The front tracks are widest on the AMG C 43 where the Kia Stinger GT has the biggest rear tracks.
Standout exterior features of the 2022 Audi S5 Sportback:
Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has tested the S5 previously and we don’t expect it to happen this time around as well. That being said, the Audi A5 did manage to bag the “Top Safety Pick” accolade for the 2021 model year and since both are essentially the same cars, there should be no doubts over the safety aspect of the S5 as well. Add to that the more premium safety features offered with the S5 make it one of the safest of the segment. A highlight of the most prominent safety features are listed below:
Automated Emergency Braking
Blind-Spot Monitoring And Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Adaptive Cruise Control With Stop-and-Go Technology
Audi Pre Sense Basic
Tire Pressure Monitoring
Final Verdict
Even against the fierce rivals, the Audi S5 Sportback is looking promising. With better standard features, the base Premium trim will add more value. Performance is expected to be similar to its outgoing model as the 2022 Audi S5 Sportback will retain the same 3.0L Turbo V-6 engine. Talking about the overall design, one can confuse it with an RS5. The lavish interior is spacious and well equipped. We hope to get better standard safety with the upcoming model. Considering the value it is offering, S5 Sportback is worth your money.
Features
Trim: Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)
Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sportback AWD (3.0L 6cyl 8A)