2019 Audi S5 Sportback

Starting at $52,400, the a 3.0L turbo V6 is the perfect companion for your journey. It's not just Audi who makes a good looking convertible. Against the German trio, the BMW 4-series and the Mercedes E-class coupe, as well as a Lexus thrown into the mix. Let's compare them and see who wins this rivalry.

Available in 3 trim levels, the Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige, as you climb up the trim levels, you get more and more features and technology, but the price increases as well.

Model	S5 Premium	S5 Premium Plus	S5 Prestige
MSRP	$52,400	$56,800	$60,500
Key Features	18-inch wheels with summer performance tires LED headlights Panoramic sunroof Sport suspension Selectable drive modes Tri-zone automatic climate control MMI infotainment system with a 7-inch screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto	Front and rear parking sensors Hands-free trunklid opener Keyless entry and ignition Navigation system 8.3-inch infotainment display Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert Vehicle exit alert	Head-up display Adaptive cruise control Lane keeping assist Automated parking system Surround-view camera system 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system

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The Premium Plus trim is the best S5 to have which comes with sporty performance upgrades and essential features like, sport-tuned adaptive suspension and an upgraded rear differentialfor a reasonable price.

The S5 has impressive road-holding capabilities. It easily navigates through sharp turns at speeds that would overwhelm lesser vehicles. The all-wheel-drive system deftly supplies power to specific wheels to aid the car's handling balance around turns. - Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

The Audi S5 comes with a powerful 3.0L turbocharged V6 with a much smoother torque curve than youd expect. With virtually zero turbo lag the throttle control is a bliss in both stop and go traffic in cities as well as cruising through highways. The tiptronic automatic transmission is quick and intuitive enough that it does not constantly need to shift through the gears to find the right one.

Models	Audi S5	Mercedes Benz E450	BMW 4-Series 440i	Lexus RC
Price	$52,400	$59,800	$51,200	$50,790
Engine	Intercooled Turbo 3.0L V-6	3.0L Twin Turbo Unleaded V-6	3.0L Intercooled Turbo Premium U`1nleaded I-6	3.5L Premium Unleaded V6
Transmission	8-Speed Automatic Tiptronic	9-Speed Automatic	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Horsepower	349 hp @5400 rpm	362 @ 5500	322 @ 5500	311@6600
Torque	369 lb-ft @ 1370 rpm	369 @ 1800	330 @ 1380	280 @ 4800

In comparison , the E class Mercedes-Benz has a more powerful engine, but the rear wheel drive coupe feels like it could reach the edge of the traction. The 4-series BMW on the other hand is rather underpowered for the price and youd find much more pleasure in the M4 instead.

Acceleration

The Quattro all-wheel Sportback's smooth acceleration is not to be taken lightly. Flooring the pedal makes the Sportback accelerate hard and takes it to 60 in a matter of 4.3 seconds. The quarter mile is covered in 12.8 seconds, quite unexpected for a Sportback which doesn't have Audi's RS badge.

Models	Audi S5	Mercedes Benz E450	BMW 4-Series 440i	Lexus RC
0-60 MPH	4.3 seconds	4.1 seconds	4.4 seconds	5.9 seconds
Quarter mile	12.8 seconds	12.6seconds	12.9 seconds	N/A
Engine	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L	3.5L
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Comparatively the Mercedes is faster to 60 with a much more powerful engine and subsequently quicker through the quarter mile. However, the Lexus is at a major disadvantage here, with merely 311hp, it takes 5.9 seconds to reach 60.

Ride and Handling

With an improved multi-link suspension and a stiffer chassis, the S5 Sportback has a much better ride quality than the previous model. The optional adaptive dampers and sport suspensions slightly stiffened up the ride but make your daily commute sportier by keeping the Sportback planted to the tarmac.

The optional dynamic steering mimics the intuitive steering usually found in high-end supercars, which varies the gear ratio based on your speed and steering angle. It has been specifically designed to give the driver optimum feedback, and can be adjusted based on the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.

Braking

The Audi S5 Sportback has robust brakes that help stop it the quickest amongst its competition. The technology used is immaculate and proves to be life-saving in case of situations demanding sudden braking as well. It has 13.8-inch diameter front brakes to ensure quick braking.

Model	Audi S5	Mercedes Benz E450	BMW 4-Series 440i	Lexus RC
Brake Front (in.)	13.8	14.2	13.4	14
Brake Rear (in.)	13	14.2	13	12
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3847	4200	3635	3748
70-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	N/A	166	N/A

The brakes used in the Audi are not the biggest, but still it is able to stop before the Mercedes does and also before the much lighter BMW does. The Audi is no doubt the best as far as braking is considered.

As far as fuel economy is concerned, the S5 doesn't have the best-in-class economy, but delivers a decent 21 in the city, 30 on the highway and 24 combined. The fuel economy doesn't come off as a negative when you notice the performance aspect of the Audi S5 Sportback.

Model	Audi S5	Mercedes Benz E450	BMW 4-Series 440i	Lexus RC
MPG (city)	21	19	21	20
MPG (highway)	30	26	32	28
MPG (combined)	24	22	25	23

However, the BMW and the Mercedes have better fuel economy than it. The BMW wins this one with the highest economy claimed to be 25 combined mpg for followed closely by the Mercedes-Benz E 450 with 22 mpg combined for the same.

The S5's cabin is a wonderful expression of modern, understated luxury. The materials quality is high, and the smart layout of controls makes operation easy and distraction-free. - Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

For a luxury Sportback, the seating capability of 4 passengers does not seem justified. The sloping roofline for the Sportback type body of the car adds to the seating comfort in the rear seats. Headroom and shoulder room is huge, and the passengers in the front are comfortable in the leather seats.

Model	Audi S5	Mercedes Benz E450	BMW 4-Series 440i	Lexus RC
Passenger capacity	4	4	4	4
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.9/57.8/41.3	40.9/56.1/41.8	39.8/55.3/42.2	39/54.7/45.4
Rear (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.2/56.9/32.7	36.4/50.3/N/A	36.1/51.7/33.7	34.8/50.8/27.3

Mercedes-Benz E450 feels nice and plush but crammed in the rear. It feels smaller in the cabin and only the front seats are comfortable. It cannot be called practical for weekend trips but daily commuting is definitely possible. The BMW however, is very spacious and airy when compared to the other cars in context. It has lots of headroom, legroom as well as shoulder room in the front but the rear seats are good only for kids.

Infotainment System

The Audi's convertible is full to the brim with high-end features and technologies at the price range. With a 10-speaker system, upgradeable to a 12-speaker Bang and Olufsen surround sound system, the Audi could make it feel like a concert within your car. The integrated driver information system with Bluetooth compatibility.

On the steering youd find the cruise and audio controls at your thumb's reach. However with a major update around the corner, we could see Audi bringing much more to the table.

Cargo Capacity

Despite its size, the Audi S5 lacks the trunk size that youd require from a Sportback. At 11.6 cubic feet, the trunk is much smaller than the 15 cubic feet capacity of the E-class, but still ahead of the Lexus. The top of the line is the BMW 4-series which has 15.7 cubic feet.

Model	Audi S5	Mercedes Benz E450	BMW 4-Series 440i	Lexus RC
Cargo Volume (ft.3) seat 3	11.6	15	15.7	10.4

The S5's evolution has been slow and deliberate. Most buyers may have a hard time distinguishing the coupe or convertible from its predecessor that debuted in 2007. - Car Connection

Design and Dimensions

Even though the Audi S5 is loaded with features and technology, it manages to weigh less than 4000 pounds which is considered to be a good weight for a luxury Sportback. The handling is amazing and the Quattro AWD technology of the Audi helps make it razor sharp precise while steering. This helps in cornering perfectly at high speeds as well making it a very confidence-inspiring car.

Model	Audi S5	Mercedes Benz E450	BMW 4-Series 440i	Lexus RC
Curb weight (lbs.)	3847	4200	3635	3748
Length(in)	184.7	190	182.6	184.8
Width(in)	72.7	73.2	71.9	72.4
Height(in)	53.9	56.3	54.2	54.9
Ground clearance (in)	N/A	N/A	N/A	5.3
Wheelbase (in)	108.8	113.1	110.6	107.5
Track width (in) F/R	62.5/61.7	63.2/63.3	60.8/62.8	62.2/61.8

The Audi isn't the heaviest of the bunch, that title goes to the E-class coupe; but neither is it the lightest. The BMW 4-series is the lightest coupe from the lot and also the shortest. The wider, longer and lower Mercedes creates a more imposing street presence for the coupe.

Safety and Reliability

• SIDEGUARD Curtain 1st Row Airbags
• SIDEGUARD Curtain 2nd Row Airbags
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

 

Audi S5 vs Mercedes-Benz E450

The E-class Mercedes is a much more powerful as well as well-equipped alternative to the S5. The engine is more lively and the handling has a much more aggressive feel compared to the smooth and refined acceleration of the S5, which could also be a plus point for some, especially if it snows often. The Audi, however gets a more upscaled and ergonomically designed cabin and infotainment compared to the Mercedes.

Audi S5 vs BMW 440i

The BMW 4-series, much like the Mercedes is also a treat to drive, however, it lacks the grip and refinement youd need if you intend to daily drive the coupe. The interiors and infotainment still has the archaic feel in the BMW compared to the Audi which seems more like a spaceship. In terms of practicality the BMW, however takes the cake.

The 2019 Audi S5 Sportback is a value for money 4-seater that delivers good performance, precise handling, robust braking and all the comfort one needs. It has decent fuel economy, average cargo volume and a very addictive exhaust note from the sporty V6 motor. It falls a bit short at comforting the rear passengers and rear visibility but doesn't fail to bring a smile to the occupant's face.