2009 Audi S5 Quality Review

The consensus is that the 2009 Audi S5 maintains Audi's stunning level of interior quality, though there are some quibbles.

In reviews read by TheCarConnection.com, the front seats are supportive and hold their passengers in place without being uncomfortable, unlike the rear seats, which are merely tight and completely at a loss when asked to handle adult legs. The front sport seats are upholstered in what Audi calls "Silk Nappa leather," and they're highly contoured for grippy comfort. Car and Driver praises the "highly adjustable seat" and a "tilting-and-telescoping steering wheel" that offer the driver a wider range of options. However, the "beltline is high," causing you to feel "a little buried in the car." Cars.com says "the driver and front passenger get leather sport seats that have large side bolsters on both the bottom cushion and backrest. The seats proved comfortable for the duration of my week with the car and came in handy during aggressive driving." MyRide.com also speaks of the comfort of the front seat area, citing it as one of the "selling points" of the vehicle; the "generous amounts of overall passenger room" is sure to capture serious attention.

Cars.com says, "There's room for two in the back of the S5. Despite the car's low-slung shape, there's tolerable space for two adults here, and more than enough for kids." For a coupe, the S5 has a comfortable backseat, states Car and Driver, though "a six-footer will be touching knees and head when sitting behind another six-footer." However, getting in and out of the car is rather easy due to the "conveniently located seatback-mounted switches to move the power seats fore-and-aft." Edmunds agrees, though noting "taller folks will find under-thigh support and legroom somewhat lacking." MyRide.com stresses that it is important to "park with care." The S5's long doors make it "a bit difficult to enter and exit in tight spaces."

Quality is typical Audi fashion. The leather is "finely stitched," the fit and finish are "impeccable," and the aluminum trim is real, making for an impressive cabin of obvious quality. The climate control is divided into three zones: driver, front passenger, and rear. Cars.com appreciates how the S5's "Silver-colored trim encircles the gauges and dash vents, and high-end materials like aluminum, carbon fiber and wood are available in addition to the standard piano black accents." Car and Driver reports, "Mucho aluminum trim has been smattered about, and we're particularly fond of the A5's take on Audi's 'teardrop' gauges." Some find Audi's implementation of their Multi-Media Interface (MMI) a bit maddening. Heating, air conditioning, radio, and navigation are controlled via a knob and a few buttons on the center console just ahead of the armrest. Making changes often involves scrolling through multiple screens of information. As Edmunds reports, "it's still likely to try your patience with its maze of menus and submenus." For 2009, things are made a bit easier with voice control for the navigation system.