Overall rating:
By any standard the Audi S5 Sportback makes a compelling case for itself as the all purpose family executive mega-hatch (the official title of the niche, we understand), but there is something lacking. Yes, it has five doors, is very quick, very high quality and very assured on the road, but it lacks that certain something that makes, say, the BMW M3, absolutely magic. We think it's because it doesn't actually look that different, inside or out, to a 2.0-litre TDI A5 with an S Line pack. Ultimately it's hard to fault, but strangely difficult to get really excited about too.
Inside & Out:
The Audi A5/S5 interior isn't so much a Russian Doll to the A4 as an identical copy. The seating position is noticeably lower, though, and there's not much wrong with the A4 cabin in any event, so no complaints.
But yes, this is Audi by numbers. The plastics swathing the dash are of the most tactile on the non-luxury market, and Audi's MMI system remains one of the most intuitive to use. Little things like putting the iPod away in the glove box and making the interface clear make this cabin a joy to be in. Unless you're in the back, that is, because there's hardly any legroom there. Headroom is ok, though, and the boot is enormous and has a massive tailgate.
S5 specifics comprise a set of embossed sports chairs in delicious two-tone leather and some badges, and on the outside the traditional set of S silver mirror caps and a body kit. Four tailpipes finish the look, though for some tastes it will still be a little too discrete for a top-of-the-line performance car. Leaves room for an RS 5 Sportback, mind...
Ride & Handling:
Equip the car with damper control and dynamic steering (both fitted to our test car) and the Audi S5 is a truly dual natured beast. In Comfort mode the damping and steering are slackened, with plenty of give and a lightness of touch that makes the S5 very docile and comfortable on most surfaces.
Dynamic mode, as you'd expect, runs everything through a magic pencil sharpener. But whereas in previous iterations it's made the ride too firm and artificially weighted the steering, here it works a treat, dialling in more feel and making the car tangibly more fun to point left and right.
As ever, quattro four-wheel drive provides loads of grip in the wet and dry, and the S-specific sports differential (an option, scandalously) gives keen throttle addicts the option of BMW-esque power oversteer. It's as enjoyable as it is surprising, although in general, the S5 cannot match the dynamic purity and plain fun of a 3 Series.
Engine & Transmission:
Few could take issue with the turn of pace of the 3.0-litre TFSI supercharged engine in the Audi S5, which develops 328bhp and powers the car to 62mph in 5.4 seconds. Part of the appeal is the S-tronic gearbox (DSG by another name), which uses two clutches, as you'll know, to slide seamlessly through up-shifts on full throttle. It returns a quite surprising 30.1mpg too - surprising given its pace.
Our issue is with the lack of drama, though, and the fact that the S-tronic gearbox isn't as good at low speed operation as it is full tilt. Down shifts in stop-start traffic can be jerky, and despite having four big exit pipes and a supercharger the engine is very quiet unless you're right on the rev limiter, when a lovely six-cylinder fizz quietly kicks in and a bang can be heard from the pipes on the overrun. More of that please, we say, although we appreciate some will enjoy the refinement.
Equipment, Economy & Value for Money:
The S5 Sportback isn't too badly equipped, but it's not cheap either, by anyone's standards. You could perhaps get away with ordering a basic S5 for just over £40,000, which represents decent value for the quality, performance and versatility on offer. However, at this end of the market most punters want satellite navigation, Bluetooth, parking sensors, heated seats and all the other extras that comprise a package some refer to as 'bells and whistles'.
Do that, plus add the imperative sports differential, and you're looking at the thick end of £50,000. Ouch. That
BMW M3 doesn't look so expensive now, eh?
