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2009 Audi S5 Bottom Line

December 20, 2008

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

To assemble a comprehensive review on the new 2009 Audi S5, the car pros at TheCarConnection.com consulted reviews from a wide range of reputable sources. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove Audi's 2009 S5 and combined their impressions with all the available information to create this conclusive review.

Likes:

  • Rumbling V-8 character
  • All-wheel-drive traction
  • Gorgeous styling
  • Outstanding braking and all-around performance

Dislikes:

  • Kids-only rear seats
  • Lofty price tag
  • Tight trunk
  • Swoopy styling limits rearward vision

Buying Tips:


If you want a 2009 Audi S5, be prepared to pay full price or close to it; the car's popularity hasn't meant an increase in production by the German automaker, so there aren't a lot of the V-8 versions to be had. If you like the style of the S5 but can do without the extra grunt, the A5 offers a V-6 version that might be a little bit easier to get a hold of. TheCarConnection.com also has driven a European version, diesel-powered A5, but Audi has not disclosed plans for U.S. sales.

A stunning car, the 2009 S5 is a hotted-up V-8 version of the A5 two-door introduced two years ago. It throbs with muscle car power and, especially from the rear, bears more than a passing resemblance to the coming 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, with great proportions, curves, and crests to its sheetmetal.

The S5 is powered by a 354-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 engine that spins out a peak 325 pound-feet of torque. Rear-biased Quattro all-wheel drive helps the wheels get traction no matter what the surface, and helps neutralize handling in spirited driving. With either transmission—six-speed manual or automatic, both a joy to drive—the Audi S5 gets to 60 mph in a mere 4.9 seconds and tops out at 155 mph. It's the only car in its class to offer all-wheel drive with a manual transmission.

The optional Drive Select package enables drivers to tune suspension and steering response. The S5 has brilliant handling, with some occasionally harsh ride motions when you run into—well, run over—rough surfaces in mid-corner. Even with electronic power steering, it turns in flat and responds in a snap, though the feel is a little light. The 2009 S5's braking is stellar.

The cockpit of the Audi S5 sports a tight feel, paired with a rather complex, busy array of controls on the dash. Audio system control buttons are numerous; the designers have opted for lots of shiny aluminum and chrome trim, so it's not a restful place to meditate. The front seats cradle you in comfort, but the rear seats are merely tight and totally unable to accommodate adult legs. Thanks to the thick pillars and low roofline, visibility out the back while driving is pretty dismal. On the plus side, the trunk is large.

The 2009 Audi S8 doesn’t give up any conveniences in the name of high performance; expect everything that you would in a full-fledged luxury coupe, including power and heated everything, along with features like adaptive headlamps. TheCarConnection.com’s editors, some of whom are audiophiles, are very fond of the available Bang & Olufsen sound system.

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 2009 Audi S5 looks like no other and performs as well as its top rivals—but you will pay for the privilege.

To assemble a comprehensive review on the new 2009 Audi S5, the car pros at TheCarConnection.com consulted reviews from a wide range of reputable sources. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove Audi's 2009 S5 and combined their impressions with all the available information to create this conclusive review. Likes:Rumbling V-8 characterAll-wheel-drive tractionGorgeous stylingOutstanding braking and all-around performanceDislikes:Kids-only rear seatsLofty price tagTight trunkSwoopy styling limits rearward visionBuying Tips: If you want a 2009 Audi S5, be prepared to pay full price or close to it; the car's popularity hasn't meant an increase in production by the German automaker, so there aren't a lot of the V-8 versions to be had. If you like the style of the S5 but can do without the extra grunt, the A5 offers a V-6 version that might be a little bit easier to get a hold of. TheCarConnection.com also has driven a European version, diesel-powered A5, but Audi has not disclosed plans for U.S. sales. A stunning car, the 2009 S5 is a hotted-up V-8 version of the A5 two-door introduced two years ago. It throbs with muscle car power and, especially from the rear, bears more than a passing resemblance to the coming 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, with great proportions, curves, and crests to its sheetmetal. The S5 is powered by a 354-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 engine that spins out a peak 325 pound-feet of torque. Rear-biased Quattro all-wheel drive helps the wheels get traction no matter what the surface, and helps neutralize handling in spirited driving. With either transmission—six-speed manual or automatic, both a joy to drive—the Audi S5 gets to 60 mph in a mere 4.9 seconds and tops out at 155 mph. It's the only car in its class to offer all-wheel drive with a manual transmission. The optional Drive Select package enables drivers to tune suspension and steering response. The S5 has brilliant handling, with some occasionally harsh ride motions when you run into—well, run over—rough surfaces in mid-corner. Even with electronic power steering, it turns in flat and responds in a snap, though the feel is a little light. The 2009 S5's braking is stellar. The cockpit of the Audi S5 sports a tight feel, paired with a rather complex, busy array of controls on the dash. Audio system control buttons are numerous; the designers have opted for lots of shiny aluminum and chrome trim, so it's not a restful place to meditate. The front seats cradle you in comfort, but the rear seats are merely tight and totally unable to accommodate adult legs. Thanks to the thick pillars and low roofline, visibility out the back while driving is pretty dismal. On the plus side, the trunk is large. The 2009 Audi S8 doesn’t give up any conveniences in the name of high performance; expect everything that you would in a full-fledged luxury coupe, including power and heated everything, along with features like adaptive headlamps. TheCarConnection.com’s editors, some of whom are audiophiles, are very fond of the available Bang & Olufsen sound system. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Audi S5, also consider:BMW M3 coupeMercedes-Benz CLK550Dodge 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 2009 Audi S5 looks like no other and performs as well as its top rivals—but you will pay for the privilege. To assemble a comprehensive review on the new 2009 Audi S5, the car pros at TheCarConnection.com consulted reviews from a wide range of reputable sources. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove Audi's 2009 S5 and combined their impressions with all the available information to create ...

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:

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See the Audi S5 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

Comments (3 total)

  1. By Rob #1, Posted: 8/23/2009

    Marty - just a heads up on an inconsistency in your review. Your dislikes indicate a "tight trunk", but the text of the article states that "on the plus side, the trunk is large...".

  2. marty avatar by Marty Padgett #2, Posted: 8/25/2009

    You're right Rob, I don't suppose I was clear enough. The actual trunk space is decent--it's the small opening that makes it a tight squeeze.

  3. By Blue #3, Posted: 10/2/2009

    Marty, thanks for the article! I found it more balanced and on-point than the "truth about cars" review which suffered many errors and horrible grammar.
    I am considering the automatic, and have driven it. I can tell you; I found the automatic (Tiptronic) in this car to be very quick and precise, without any of the abruptness mentioned in other articles. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to force the transmission to "hold" a gear as long as I wished - so long as I didn't approach the rev-limiter. Likewise the shifts in manual mode were very precise and easy to control; with the paddles attached to the wheel, not the column. In automatic mode I found the transmission to be very comfortable when I was driving sanely and very quick and lively when I was driving more aggressively. I also did not notice any of the understeering antics other reviews mention, though I was driving on a hilly, winding road in a spirited fashion to the extent that I was able to judge the car's ability to be controlled at the limit of adhesion, from either end. This car is supremely controllable and balanced beyond any plausible expectation. I would never have guessed (after driving it) that this car weighs as much as it does. Finally,, I agree with KBB.com that there is no reason to doubt the factory's 5.1 second 0-60 claim...This car is very quick!

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