2019 Audi S5 | Model Review | Model Specs
Sleek styling, a luxurious interior, and 350-hp make the 2019 Audi S5 an appealing choice in the high-end
The Audi S5 is quick, that’s for sure, and it’s damn nice. I mean the interior of this car is on par with some of the most luxurious vehicles out there and definitely feels far more expensive than it is.
After pouring through all of the internet hype, I’m here to give you my impressions of the S5 and explain why the previous generation, which made my list of the best sports cars under $30K, might be a better buy than the current generation.
As far as car reviews go you can view my opinion on the current state of car reviews in my post: Are Car Reviews Fake? This is simply my opinion based on driving the car and it is completely unfiltered. Proceed accordingly.
2019 Audi S5 Specs:
- Engine: 3.0-Liter Turbocharged V6
- Drivetrain: Front engine all-wheel-drive
- Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
- Horsepower: 354 hp @ 6,400 RPM
- Torque: 369 lb-ft @ 1,370 RPM
- 0-60 mph: ~4.3 seconds
- MPG: 21 City/30 Hwy
- Price: $52,400+
- Average Rating: 7/10
What’s New in the 2019 Audi S5
Like I said in my 2018 Audi S4 review, Audi ditches its blessed 3.0-Liter supercharged V6 from the previous generation in favor of a new turbocharged V6 co-designed with none other than Porsche.
The turbocharged V6 offers plenty of low-end torque and it’s fun in the higher RPM range also. Overall, it’s a great engine that can throw down with some of the best cars out there without breaking a sweat.
Like it’s previous generations the 2019 Audi S5 keeps its legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system which is the undisputed king of AWD.
Audi made the decision to drop its very fun dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission and replaced it with an eight-speed ZF torque-converter automatic. To be honest I’m not sure why. Don’t get me wrong the eight-speed is good, but the “DSG” in the previous generation was almost Porsche PDK good.
Also, the coupe offers a manual, but you don’t care because only like 7% of people buy manuals anyway. Even though Audi manuals are a blast.
Just like the S4, the 2019 Audi S5 gets other updates like a refreshed exterior and interior including a multitude of technology and luxury that substantially blows the doors off of the previous generation Audi S5 and its “competitors”.
2019 Audi S5 Interior and Cabin
2019 Audi S5 Interior Highlights:
- Incredible sport bucket seats
- High-quality materials throughout
- Great field of view
- Digital dashboard from NASA
- Luxurious fit and finish
- Flat-bottom steering wheel
- Bang and Olufsen sound system
- Simple-to-use climate control
When you open the door the 2019 Audi S5 you are greeted by the scent of high-quality leather and a level of luxury you just weren’t expecting. Slide into the sport buckets and they hug you in all the right places.
Quilted stitching, carbon fiber, Alcantara, and real Napa leather all come together and intoxicate you. For a minute you feel like royalty. The digital dash kicks on and you are ready for
Shut the door and listen to that quality thud that sounds as heavy as the price you pay to get into one of these.
These days Mustangs and Camaros are regularly hitting $50K, so this is a great example of the type of quality you should demand from an automaker when you spend that kind of money. No plastic in sight.
Grab that amazing
Audi is running the game on luxury interiors as far as I’m concerned. You might hear people talk about BMW, Porsche and Mercedes but they don’t know. Anyone who even mentions Lexus and Infiniti in the same category are cruising for a bruising if you know what I’m sayin’.
Driving the 2019 Audi S5:
Pros: No turbocharger lag, strong acceleration, sport differential, insane grip, feels luxurious.
Cons: Steering feels like a holding hands with a dead fish, absolutely no feedback, feels more like a sport sedan without the convenience.
Sports Cars these days go to extremes. They either have like 500-hp and are built like total shit or they drive great but are under powered. You see this with cars like the Mustang and the MX-5. It’s not a very balanced approach.
The 2019 Audi S5 attempts to bridge this gap with solid performance and a host driving amenities. Engage the launch control and it shoves you into the seat as it rushes from 0-60 in just 4.3 seconds. It’s a riot.
In the corners, the car is composed and stable and feels planted. There’s no drama and it’s easy to negotiate. It turns in with a flick and is playful and agile.
Yet, despite all of these great qualities, the car is missing one critical thing. And that thing is
Unlike the 2018 Audi S4 which felt fun and visceral, the 2019 Audi S5 felt dead and boring. It felt like I was forcing it to be fun. I wasn’t excited or thrilled, I just sort of drove the car. It’s just kind of a nice thing more than emotional experience.
And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but at almost $70K for the prestige model with all the track goodies, this car should evoke more emotion than it does. And at nearly half of that price, the previous generation performs on par and is an outstanding driving experience.
So, in the end you might be better off waiting for one of these to depreciate and grabbing it used.
2019 Audi S5 Final Thoughts
What can you buy with $70K? That is the real question you end up asking yourself. I walked away from my test experience with that question in mind. When I got home and started looking at others experiences I was a bit annoyed.
Don’t buy the hype. Let’s talk about amazing sport coupes you could buy at that price point.
For starters there is the obvious TTS or TTRS in the Audi’s own family tree that offers a far more robust and awesome driving experience. Then you have the Mercedes C63 and of course the incredible Porsche Cayman S.
Maybe you decide drag racing is your thing and opt for a Dodge Hellcat or, hell, even a used Vette. Speaking of used cars there are an incredible amount of value performance cars in the $70K price range if you’re buying used.
My vote on the 2019 Audi S5 is to save your money. It’s better off somewhere else. Or just buy a 2014 Porsche Cayman S and pocket the difference.
