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2008 Audi S5 Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com's editors read the latest reviews on the new 2008 Audi S5 to write this comprehensive review. Our car experts also drove the 2008 Audi S5 to be able to deliver our definitive opinion on the car, to compare it with other cars in the class, and to provide you with the best information.

Likes:

  • Throbbing, American-style V-8
  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Sexy silhouette
  • Outstanding brakes

Dislikes:

  • Teensy, token back seats
  • Blistering price tag to go with performance
  • Trunk space at a premium
  • Rear visibility not so great

Buying Tips:

There's not a lot you can do to obtain a 2008 Audi S5 cheaply--the car's been a hit for the German automaker, and it's not building many of the V-8 versions. If you like the style but can do without the ultimate power, a V-6 version is available as the A5. TheCarConnection.com also has driven a diesel-powered A5, but plans for U.S. sales are uncertain.

The 2008 Audi S5 is a stunning car. The hotted-up V-8 version of the A5 two-door introduced last year throbs with musclecar power--and especially from the rear, it bears more than a passing resemblance to the coming 2009 Chevrolet Camaro, with great proportions, curves, and crests to its sheetmetal.

The Audi essentials are on full display, however. The S5 cranks out 354 horsepower from a 4.2-liter V-8 engine that also spins out 325 pound-feet of torque. With either delightful transmission--six-speed manual or automatic--the 2008 Audi S5 thunders to 60 mph in a blink-quick 4.9 seconds and tops out at 155 mph.

The S5 has brilliant handling, with some occasionally harsh ride motions if you encounter potholes in mid-corner. It turns in flat and responds in a snap, even with electronic power steering, which TheCarConnection.com's editors have mixed feelings about. But the 2008 S5's braking is stellar, and Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard.

Inside, the 2008 Audi S5 sports a cockpit with a tight feel and a rather complex array of controls on the dash. There are plenty of buttons for radio controls and a generous application of aluminum and chrome trim, too, making the interior a little busy. The front seats are tight where they need to be, unlike the rear seats, which are merely tight and are completely at a loss when asked to handle adult legs. The trunk is large, but the view to the rear while driving is pretty dismal, thanks to the thick pillars and low roofline.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Audi S5, also consider:

Reason Why:

The natural competition for the Audi S5 is BMW's M3 coupe, and the two are near equals in performance in price--though TheCarConnection.com's car experts prefer the Audi's sleeker styling and standard all-wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz offers a slightly more sedate coupe, the CLK550; it's powerful, and a Black Series edition can be had with ungodly amounts of power and torque. It may not seem like a cross-shopped car, but the Dodge Challenger SRT8 can play musclecar even better than the Audi S5, though it's much larger, heavier, and cheaper.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Audi S5 boasts performance like a BMW M3, styling like a Chevrolet Camaro, and a brilliant handling setup that's distinctly Audi--but only the well-heeled need to apply.

TheCarConnection.com's editors read the latest reviews on the new 2008 Audi S5 to write this comprehensive review. Our car experts also drove the 2008 Audi S5 to be able to deliver our definitive opinion on the car, to compare it with other cars in the class, and to provide you with the best information. Likes:Throbbing, American-style V-8Standard all-wheel driveSexy silhouetteOutstanding brakesDislikes:Teensy, token back seatsBlistering price tag to go with performanceTrunk space at a premiumRear visibility not so greatBuying Tips:There's not a lot you can do to obtain a 2008 Audi S5 cheaply--the car's been a hit for the German automaker, and it's not building many of the V-8 versions. If you like the style but can do without the ultimate power, a V-6 version is available as the A5. TheCarConnection.com also has driven a diesel-powered A5, but plans for U.S. sales are uncertain. The 2008 Audi S5 is a stunning car. The hotted-up V-8 version of the A5 two-door introduced last year throbs with musclecar power--and especially from the rear, it bears more than a passing resemblance to the coming 2009 Chevrolet Camaro, with great proportions, curves, and crests to its sheetmetal. The Audi essentials are on full display, however. The S5 cranks out 354 horsepower from a 4.2-liter V-8 engine that also spins out 325 pound-feet of torque. With either delightful transmission--six-speed manual or automatic--the 2008 Audi S5 thunders to 60 mph in a blink-quick 4.9 seconds and tops out at 155 mph. The S5 has brilliant handling, with some occasionally harsh ride motions if you encounter potholes in mid-corner. It turns in flat and responds in a snap, even with electronic power steering, which TheCarConnection.com's editors have mixed feelings about. But the 2008 S5's braking is stellar, and Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard. Inside, the 2008 Audi S5 sports a cockpit with a tight feel and a rather complex array of controls on the dash. There are plenty of buttons for radio controls and a generous application of aluminum and chrome trim, too, making the interior a little busy. The front seats are tight where they need to be, unlike the rear seats, which are merely tight and are completely at a loss when asked to handle adult legs. The trunk is large, but the view to the rear while driving is pretty dismal, thanks to the thick pillars and low roofline. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Audi S5, also consider:2008 BMW M3 coupe2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK5502008 Dodge Challenger SRT8Reason Why:The natural competition for the Audi S5 is BMW's M3 coupe, and the two are near equals in performance in price--though TheCarConnection.com's car experts prefer the Audi's sleeker styling and standard all-wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz offers a slightly more sedate coupe, the CLK550; it's powerful, and a Black Series edition can be had with ungodly amounts of power and torque. It may not seem like a cross-shopped car, but the Dodge Challenger SRT8 can play musclecar even better than the Audi S5, though it's much larger, heavier, and cheaper. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Audi S5 boasts performance like a BMW M3, styling like a Chevrolet Camaro, and a brilliant handling setup that's distinctly Audi--but only the well-heeled need to apply. TheCarConnection.com's editors read the latest reviews on the new 2008 Audi S5 to write this comprehensive review. Our car experts also drove the 2008 Audi S5 to be able to deliver our definitive opinion on the car, to compare it with other cars in the class, and to provide you with the ...

Other Choices:

The natural competition for the Audi S5 is BMW's M3 coupe, and the two are near equals in performance in price--though TheCarConnection.com's car experts prefer the Audi's sleeker styling and standard all-wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz offers a slightly more sedate coupe, the CLK550; it's powerful, and a Black Series edition can be had with ungodly amounts of power and torque. It may not seem like a cross-shopped car, but the Dodge Challenger SRT8 can play musclecar even better than the Audi S5, though it's much larger, heavier, and cheaper.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Audi S5

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Audi S5

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Audi S5 near you

See the Audi S5 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

Comments (1 total)

  1. By joey verso #1, Posted: 7/26/2008

    RS5

    The RS5 impression I saw the other day is really impressive, take a look: http://www.audifocus.com/2008/07/24/audi-rs5-impression/

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