Audi S5

Perhaps with the ubiquity of SUVs, we've forgotten that cars aren't simply about utility. Style matters, and great design connects with us in ways that acres of available cargo space can't. When it comes to emotional appeal, few cars are as striking as the 2021 Audi S5. Whether the S5 is in coupe, convertible or four-door hatchback form, its lines and proportions match its impressive V6-powered performance and sharpened handling.

More powerful and luxurious than its A5 counterpart, the S5 adds about 100 horsepower and some extra standard features such as massaging front seats, heated rear seats and diamond-stitched leather upholstery. While the newly redesigned BMW 4 Series Coupe offers stiff competition, the S5 stirs the soul. Read our Expert Rating below to get our full in-depth take on this year's S5.

The base S5 Premium is tempting, but you need to add the optional Convenience package to get features such as keyless entry, driver-seat memory function and satellite radio — features that should really come standard. As such, we say spend a little more for the Premium Plus trim. It includes the Convenience package features along with some other appealing extras such as adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Audi S5 is the high-performance counterpart to the A5. Compared to the A5's four-cylinder engine, the S5 comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (349 horsepower, 369 lb-ft of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.

The S5 is similarly offered in coupe, convertible (Cabriolet) and four-door hatchback (Sportback) body styles. The coupe and convertible seat four, while the Sportback accommodates five. The S5 is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige.

Premium The S5 Premium base trim comes well equipped with:

18-inch alloy wheels
Sport suspension
LED headlights
Panoramic sunroof
Power liftgate (Sportback)
Three-zone automatic climate control
Leather and faux suede combination upholstery
Power-adjustable, heated front sport seats
LED ambient cabin lighting
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated toll road transponder

Technology and safety features include:

10.1-inch central touchscreen
Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone connections
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

The optional Convenience package for the Premium trim adds:

Auto-dimming side mirrors
Keyless entry
Heated steering wheel
Driver-seat memory functions
Front and rear parking sensors
Satellite radio
Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)

Premium Plus Moving up one tier to the Premium Plus gets you the features of the Convenience package as standard plus:

Digital instrument panel
Driver-seat memory functions
Simulated leather-wrapped center console and armrests
Wireless charging pad with a signal booster
Rear USB charge ports (Sportback only)
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the S5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the S5 and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the S5 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

Prestige The Prestige trim maxes out the tech and comfort features, adding:

Upgraded headlights
19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system
Heated rear seats
Navigation system
Head-up display
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

The Premium Plus and Prestige trims can also be equipped with several options, including: