{"id":2798,"date":"2025-08-07T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/?p=2798"},"modified":"2025-08-11T13:03:35","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T13:03:35","slug":"the-2025-audi-s5-isnt-better-than-its-predecessor-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/2025\/08\/07\/the-2025-audi-s5-isnt-better-than-its-predecessor-review\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2025 Audi S5 Isn't Better Than Its Predecessor: Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

The last generation Audi A4 and A5 were underrated. They never seemed to win the comparison tests or the hearts and minds of enthusiasts at large, but they represented everything Audi did well\u2014handsome design, superb build quality, excellent ergonomics, and strong driving dynamics to boot. The new S5 isn\u2019t necessarily a bad car, but it is a frustrating, disappointing thing.<\/p>\n

Audi killed the A4 nameplate entirely, with plans to use even numbers for EVs and odd numbers for gas-powered cars. The company has since abandoned that idea<\/a>, but not before releasing the new A5 and S5\u2014essentially a replacement for both the old S4 sedan and S5 Sportback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Quick Specs<\/td>\n2025 Audi S5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Engine<\/td>\nTurbocharged 3.0-Liter V-6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Output<\/td>\n362 Horsepower \/ 406 Pound-Feet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
0-60 MPH<\/td>\n4.3 Seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Base Price \/ As-Tested<\/td>\n$63,995 \/ $73,345<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The A5\/S5 ride on the new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture that\u2019s really just an evolution of the longitudinal-engine, front-transaxle platform Audi\u2019s used for years now. For the S5, the engine is familiar, too, a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 making 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This five-door hatch is also the only body style available in the US, as the S5 coupe and convertible are dead, and the Avant wagon is not for our shores. <\/p>\n

Carryover components aren\u2019t bad news here, because the fundamentals of the previous \u201cB9\u201d generation S4\/S5 were sound. And this is a pretty nice car to drive. Even without the mild-hybrid system it gets in Europe, this V-6 has excellent throttle response and smooth power delivery across the rev band. It even sounds pleasing, too, if somewhat muted. <\/p>\n

\"2025
\nPhoto by: Chris Perkins \/ Motor1<\/p>\n

Audi ditched the eight-speed automatic here, too, and instead went for a seven-speed dual-clutch. Seems curious on its face, but the move comes because the S5 also eschews the traditional center-Torsen-differential Quattro all-wheel drive system for the lighter, more efficient Quattro Ultra setup. This means, in theory, that the S5 should behave more like a front-wheel drive car, but in practice, you wouldn\u2019t know anything meaningful\u2019s changed. It still sends power rearwards often, and a sport differential across the back helps the car rotate. <\/p>\n

I wouldn\u2019t say the S5 is fun so much as it is very competent, but that was the case with the previous generation, too. The steering is decent, but the car doesn\u2019t feel terribly agile, and indeed, Audi quotes a 4,288-pound curb weight. That seems like an awful lot for a non-hybrid luxury sport sedan of this size. The BMW 3 Series is no lightweight either, but even the current M340i xDrive weighs in at just over 4,000 pounds. <\/p>\n

\"2025
\nPhoto by: Chris Perkins \/ Motor1<\/p>\n

Pros: Hatchback Practicality, Great Seats, Smooth Engine<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That weight manifests in the S5 not feeling agile. It\u2019s noticeable in the ride quality, too. No matter what mode the adaptive dampers are in\u2014which are only available as an option on the mid-tier Premium Plus and standard on the top-trim Prestige\u2014the ride never quite settles down. The car just fidgets, and some of that is surely down to the optional 20-inch wheels.<\/p>\n

So, to drive, the S5 is good, if not great, in some ways. But I wouldn\u2019t go so far as to say it\u2019s much better than its predecessor, or a patch on the excellent BMW M340i or the left-field Cadillac CT5-V<\/a>. That\u2019s not the big problem, though.<\/p>\n

Audis used to feel expensive; you paid a premium, but didn\u2019t feel shortchanged by what you got. Now, though, the interior looks nice enough at first, and the seats are lovely, but then you notice there isn\u2019t a single piece of metal trim anywhere. The dashboard is covered in Alcantara, the center console is everyone\u2019s least favorite material, Piano Black, and even the door handles are just plastic. <\/p>\n

\"2025
\nPhoto by: Chris Perkins \/ Motor1<\/p>\n

\"2025
\nPhoto by: Chris Perkins \/ Motor1<\/p>\n

\"2025
\nPhoto by: Chris Perkins \/ Motor1<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the strange haptic touchpads\u2014one on the door controls mirrors, exterior lighting, locking, and seat memory. It works fine, but it looks and feels cheap. And the steering wheel has haptic touch pads, too, which respond to both swipes and clicks, and you will accidentally swipe on them, changing some setting you didn\u2019t want to. <\/p>\n

Audi\u2019s Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster used to set the standard for these sorts of displays, with excellent graphics and a super-easy-to-understand interface. But now, the menu structure on the 14.5-inch screen is bizarre and confusing, and the graphics are strange, with the speedometer (or tachometer in Dynamic mode) rendered vertically for some reason. <\/p>\n

Audi also has one of those silly Tesla-style displays that shows you where cars are around you, and it doesn\u2019t actually work that well. Cars and lane lines suddenly appear and disappear without warning. <\/p>\n

\"2025
\nPhoto by: Chris Perkins \/ Motor1<\/p>\n

Cons: Cheap Interior, Confusing Infotainment, Weight<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The infotainment system is now Android-based, and while it\u2019s super quick\u2014the days of car infotainment feeling markedly slower than your iPhone are over\u2014it\u2019s not as easy to use as Audi\u2019s old system. There are just so many menus and things to wade through.<\/p>\n

Complaining about ergonomic quirks is a tricky one in car reviewing because, ultimately, buyers get used to things. I only get to spend a week with a car before I hand it back. But, while I\u2019m sure I\u2019d get used to this S5 too, it also annoyed me in so many ways that previous Audi models didn\u2019t. Getting into an Audi used to feel like a breath of fresh air. Hell, the facelifted S3 I drove a couple of months ago<\/a> felt that way. This car just irritated me, and it didn\u2019t have enough redeeming qualities to make up for it. Especially not at $73,345, for this Edition One version. <\/p>\n

In Audi\u2019s defense, the company knows it needs to step up in quality<\/a>. The new Q3 looks like it\u2019s moving in the right direction<\/a>, too, and we\u2019ve had good things to say about the electric Q6 E-Tron<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Fundamentally, the new Audi S5 is not a flawed car; it\u2019s just a step sideways, if not a step backwards, from its predecessor. For now, I\u2019d look at gently used S4 and S5 models over this.<\/p>\n

Competitors<\/h2>\n

BMW M4340i xDrive<\/a>
\nCadillac CT5-V<\/a>
\nMercedes-AMG C43<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
2025 Audi S5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Engine<\/td>\nTurbocharged 3.0-Liter V-6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Output<\/td>\n362 Horsepower \/ 406 Pound-Feet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Transmission<\/td>\nSeven-Speed Dual-Clutch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Drive Type<\/td>\nAll-Wheel Drive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Speed 0-60 MPH<\/td>\n4.3 Seconds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maximum speed<\/td>\n155 MPH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n4,288 Pounds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Efficiency<\/td>\n19 City \/ 28 Highway \/ 22 Combined<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seating Capacity<\/td>\n5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cargo Volume<\/td>\n22.58 \/ 37.46 Cubic Feet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Base Price<\/td>\n$63,995<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
As-Tested Price<\/td>\n$73,345<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On Sale<\/td>\nNow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The last generation Audi A4 and A5 were underrated. They never seemed to win the comparison tests or<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2800,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2798"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2798"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2798\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2808,"href":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2798\/revisions\/2808"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2798"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2798"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.windbornechurch.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2798"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}