2008 Audi S5 Review

PROS  Powerful and smooth engine, Fantastic moves, Loads of technology and safety features

CONS  Poor fuel economy, Cramped back seat, Very firm ride 

Face it, sporty coupes aren't for everyone. Some people need four doors or a large cargo area and loads of towing capacity. Others need a roomy back seat. Yet there's a small group of buyers who don't ask their vehicle to meet any of those requirements. There are looking for a fun-to-drive, look-at-me car. Few vehicles fit that bill better than your traditional sporty coupe.

Audi's entry into this market is the brand-new A5. It competes with vehicles like the BMW 6-Series, Jaguar XK, Lexus SC, Mercedes-Benz CLK, and Porsche Cayman at the top-end of the class. All of these vehicles feature $40,000-plus price tags, occasional seating for four, and a cadre of luxury amenities.

The A5 comes in two trim levels, A5 and S5. Both are two-door coupes that come standard with Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. The $39,900 A5 is powered by a 265-horsepower 3.2-liter V6. The S5 lists for $50,500 and features a 354-horsepower 4.2-liter V8. With either engine, a six-speed manual transmission is standard. Optional on both is a six-speed automatic.

Both models come standard with antilock four-wheel disc brakes, stability control, and dual-front, front-side, and curtain-side airbags. S5 models add a tire-pressure monitor. Optional for both vehicles are rear-obstacle detection, rearview camera, and blind-spot-alert system.

A5 models include tri-zone automatic climate control, tilt-telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, power front bucket seats with lumbar adjustment, center console, split-folding rear seat, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors with integrated turn signals, power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, sunroof, AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer and memory card slot, satellite radio, rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers with heated washer nozzles, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats, theft-deterrent system, fog lights, 245/40R18 tires, and alloy wheels.

S5 models add heated front seats, memory system, aluminum interior trim, Bluetooth cell-phone link, automatic day/night outside and rearview mirrors, universal garage door opener, HID headlights with washers, rear spoiler, sport suspension, and 255/35R19 tires.

Notable options include steering-wheel paddle shifters, DVD navigation, and Bang and Olufsen sound system. Also available are numerous interior and exterior trim and paint upgrades. A5 and S5 are manufactured in Germany and have a $775 destination charge. S5 models also carry a $1300 Gas-Guzzler tax.

Get Up and Go  The S5's muscular 4.2-liter V8 has more than enough power for just about any situation. Audi claims that the manual-transmission version will race from 0-60 mph in a tick below five seconds and there's little reason to doubt that.

The engine is as smooth as it is powerful. There's hardly a stumble at idle and it whips up to redline with a silky and expensive-sounding growl.

Sadly, the manual transmission isn't as delightful. The clutch has much too much travel and a vague pickup point. At the same time the shifter's throws are overly long and notchy. [This easily could have been the result of some ham-fisted driving at a press event, so I'd give Audi the benefit of the doubt on this one.]

Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system does an excellent of apportioning the power front to back when the road grows slippery. It's seamless in operation and doesn't seem to cause an undue amount of driveline drag. Even so, Chicagoland drivers will want to have a set of all-season or snow tires on hand for the winter months.

EPA numbers for the S5 with manual transmission are 14 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. Those numbers are low for a sporty coupe and clearly reflect on the car's mission. Adding to a buyer's misery is Audi's call for premium-grade fuel and a $1300 gas-guzzler tax. 

The good news is that when driven with a judicious throttle foot the S5 returns surprisingly good fuel economy. In routine commuting, drivers are likely to average 17-19 mpg and in straight highway driving it's easy to average 23 mpg.

On the Road  The S5 is intended to play at the muscular end of the sport-luxury marketplace. Accordingly, the ride is quite firm and sharp bumps easily upset occupants. There's enough compliance in the suspension to defray long-trip fatigue, but you might want to consider the softer-riding A5 if you intend on spending a lot of time behind the wheel commuting.

On the positive side, the S5 is an enthusiast's dream. The tires have tenacious grip, the steering is firm and delightfully accurate, and there's absolutely no body lean in quick lane changes. Also impressing are strong and fade-free brakes that have excellent pedal modulation.

More importantly, the car is very well balanced and behaved. Throw it into a turn late and the front end just digs in. Hit the brakes mid-turn and the rear stays planted. It's the kind of car that makes average drivers better and good drivers great. Throw in the quattro all-wheel-drive system and you have a recipe for sure success.

The S5 isn't as quiet as some luxury-coupe contenders. That's because there's too much tire thrum and a fair amount of wind noise from around the A pillars. Neither are too distracting or out of place in a car with this much performance potential, but buyers should take note.

Behind the Wheel  The S5's interior is a near perfect blend of sport and luxury. The cockpit-like design features top-notch materials and lots of upscale leather and wood or stainless steel. Drivers face simple analog gauges that are easy to read at a glance. In between the gauges is a driver information area that can display audio selections, fuel-economy, navigation instructions, and much more. Basic climate controls are simple, but a bit a bit low in the center stack. Above them is the seldom-used CD changer. Perhaps Audi would be wise to swap location in future models.

That brings us to Audi's MMI or Multi-Media Interface, which is standard and controls all other vehicle functions. MMI means the driver must use a jog dial and flanking buttons to switch between audio, navigation, and vehicle controls. While this type of interface does reduce cabin clutter, it certainly doesn't simplify driver interaction with the various vehicle systems.

The front seats are very firm and have sports-car-like bolstering. That means a snug fit and tight grip in the turns. Head and leg room are generous, but the high beltline and low roofline hinder outward visibility. Thankfully, the rear-roof pillars are thin, aiding in lane changes.

Two minor nits include the lack of power assist for the tilt-telescope function and the panorama sunroof that pops up but doesn't slide back.

The rear seating area isn't nearly as accommodating as the front. First off, it's tough to get back there as the front seats power forward very slowly. Once in place, occupants will find the seats three-quarter size and scant leg or head room. They are useful for children though.

At 16.1 cubic feet, the A5's trunk is large for the class. Another nice touch at this price point are split-folding rear seats, as most coupe competitors offer only a trunk pass through. Interior storage consists of large door map pockets, a modest glovebox, and a small center-console bin.

Bottom Line  No one needs a car like the A5 or S5. There are much more functional and fuel efficient vehicles for thousands, heck tens of thousands, less. That fact doesn't make Audi's new coupe any less desirable. It's solidly built, stunningly styled, fun to drive, and technologically advanced.

However, those elements are the foundation for all vehicles in this class. I suspect that Audi hopes that the A5's sensuous lines will be enough to set it apart from the herd. Based on preview drives, that may well be the case as the car drew crowds at gas stations and grocery stores.