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2009 Audi S5 Features Review

December 20, 2008

FEATURES | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Rear-View Camera with Guidance Lines’ is a favorite feature
Kelley Blue Book

Pricey at $50,000
Cars.com

the usual posh options
Car and Driver

Besides the fact the Audi S5 is one of the most admired designs in the last 50 years, there are long lists of standard and optional features to satisfy the most discerning shopper.

The 2009 Audi S5 comes equipped with an MMI system that controls the climate, the audio, and the optional navigation system, says Edmunds. This can be a bit difficult to master but has an edge over similar systems because it is "mostly intuitive and is easy to use once the initial learning curve is overcome." Cars.com says, "MMI becomes almost second nature with use, but operations like entering an address into the optional navigation system remain tedious even after you've familiarized yourself with the menus."

Edmunds lists the S5's standard features as "19-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, a panoramic tilt-up sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, eight-way power front sport seats, leather upholstery, heated front seats, auto-dimming mirrors and a ten-speaker audio system with CD changer and satellite radio."

How about a 505-watt high-end speaker system pumping through 14 speakers? "Options include adaptive headlights, Alcantara-trimmed seats, alternative accents (including wood, 'Carbon Atlas' and stainless steel), Bluetooth, keyless ignition, park assist (with a rearview camera), a navigation system with a dedicated mp3 interface, and a 505-watt Bang and Olufsen premium audio system," Edmunds says. MyRide.com notes that the sunroof is only "designed to tilt for a bit of fresh air," something that definitely does not impress Car and Driver; however, they love the "keyless start" and the "fine-sounding Bang and Olufsen stereo."

Performance options include the Driver Select package that enables the driver to select steering and suspension settings, adaptive cruise control, and a blind-spot radar system.

Fancy features aside, the 2009 Audi S5 has something many sport coupes lack: plenty of room for two sets of weekend luggage. Cars.com feels "the S5's trunk is rather large, at 16.1 cubic feet. That compares to the BMW 3-Series' 11.1-cubic-foot trunk and the Infiniti G37's 7.4-cubic-foot cargo area." Edmunds again concurs: "The trunk offers 16 cubic feet of cargo capacity (large for a sedan, let alone a coupe), and the rear seat flips down to accommodate more, if need be." You'd be crazy to schlep home lumber in this pricey vehicle, but you could easily do so.

Conclusion

The true enthusiast would probably rather listen to the 2009 Audi S5's sweet engine whine from 0 to its 7,000-rpm redline. Everything else (and there's a lot of it) is just icing on the Sachertorte.

FEATURES | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:Rear-View Camera with Guidance Lines’ is a favorite featureKelley Blue BookPricey at $50,000Cars.comthe usual posh optionsCar and Driver Besides the fact the Audi S5 is one of the most admired designs in the last 50 years, there are long lists of standard and optional features to satisfy the most discerning shopper. The 2009 Audi S5 comes equipped with an MMI system that controls the climate, the audio, and the optional navigation system, says Edmunds. This can be a bit difficult to master but has an edge over similar systems because it is "mostly intuitive and is easy to use once the initial learning curve is overcome." Cars.com says, "MMI becomes almost second nature with use, but operations like entering an address into the optional navigation system remain tedious even after you've familiarized yourself with the menus." Edmunds lists the S5's standard features as "19-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, a panoramic tilt-up sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, eight-way power front sport seats, leather upholstery, heated front seats, auto-dimming mirrors and a ten-speaker audio system with CD changer and satellite radio." How about a 505-watt high-end speaker system pumping through 14 speakers? "Options include adaptive headlights, Alcantara-trimmed seats, alternative accents (including wood, 'Carbon Atlas' and stainless steel), Bluetooth, keyless ignition, park assist (with a rearview camera), a navigation system with a dedicated mp3 interface, and a 505-watt Bang and Olufsen premium audio system," Edmunds says. MyRide.com notes that the sunroof is only "designed to tilt for a bit of fresh air," something that definitely does not impress Car and Driver; however, they love the "keyless start" and the "fine-sounding Bang and Olufsen stereo." Performance options include the Driver Select package that enables the driver to select steering and suspension settings, adaptive cruise control, and a blind-spot radar system. Fancy features aside, the 2009 Audi S5 has something many sport coupes lack: plenty of room for two sets of weekend luggage. Cars.com feels "the S5's trunk is rather large, at 16.1 cubic feet. That compares to the BMW 3-Series' 11.1-cubic-foot trunk and the Infiniti G37's 7.4-cubic-foot cargo area." Edmunds again concurs: "The trunk offers 16 cubic feet of cargo capacity (large for a sedan, let alone a coupe), and the rear seat flips down to accommodate more, if need be." You'd be crazy to schlep home lumber in this pricey vehicle, but you could easily do so. ConclusionThe true enthusiast would probably rather listen to the 2009 Audi S5's sweet engine whine from 0 to its 7,000-rpm redline. Everything else (and there's a lot of it) is just icing on the Sachertorte.  2009 AUDI S5 STYLING | [9 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "undeniably well-proportioned" Automobile Magazine: "interior is as beautiful as its sculpted exterior" Edmunds: "upscale interior" Cars.com: "The car seems downright angry thanks to a grille with vertical chrome bars and angular ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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.

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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. 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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