2010 Audi S5 Car Review

High Gear Media accepted travel expenses to bring you this road test of the Audi S5/Cabriolet.

The performance edition of Audi’s A5 coupe and cabriolet, the 2010 Audi S5/Cabriolet handsomely turns on its charm from first glance. Its sculpted flanks have a Camaro-like appeal, and rumbling V-8 or supercharged V-6 power underscores that muscle car comparison. In two-door hardtop or folding soft-top form, the updated S5 range for 2010 starts from around $50,000 to top off at $58,250 for the S5 Cabriolet with Audi’s S-tronic transmission.

The S5, like the milder Audi A5 that rides alongside it in Audi showrooms, infuses a standard two-door shape with subtle hints of Italian coupes and American muscle cars. There’s more than a passing resemblance to the best Chevrolet Camaros in its haunches, and up front the trademark deep Audi grille is flanked by headlamps with curlicues of LED daytime driving lights, one of the brand’s latest design signatures. Audi’s chief designer calls it one of his best cars ever, and TheCarConnection.com’s editors admire its great proportions, curves, and sheetmetal crests. The cabin aligns with Audi tradition: A wide binnacle houses the gauges and an LCD navigation and car-function screen, while hints of aluminum, wood, or woven metal are fitted to the door panels and console. The collection of buttons and switches can seem busy, but high-quality materials and high levels of fit and finish inside mute that effect.

This year, with the addition of the Cabriolet S5 comes an entirely different powertrain from the coupe. The S5 hardtop continues to draw on a 354-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 engine for its hearty performance. With 325 pound-feet of torque at its peak, delivered via a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic to Audi’s hallmark quattro all-wheel-drive system, the S5 Coupe hits 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 mph. For the S5 Cabriolet, Audi’s chosen a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 shared with a new S4 sedan and A6 four-door. The forced-induction engine also churns out 325 lb-ft of torque, but is teamed only to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that’s a favorite of TheCarConnection.com’s test drivers. The combination of plenty of low-end torque, the paddle-shifted gearbox, and all that power delivers even faster acceleration for the Cabriolet and the same top speed, while it also attains fuel economy of 17/28 mpg.

A few new hardware systems give the S5 coupe and S5 Cabriolet amazing road-holding and cornering prowess. The Audi all-wheel-drive system is set for a power bias of 40:60 to the rear wheels, giving it more of a rear-drive performance feel. When traction fails at a wheel, the quattro system shuttles torque to the wheels with more traction. And with an optional Sports Rear Differential, the S5/Cabriolet cars can "vector" torque from side to side at the rear wheels, not just from the fronts to the back wheels. As for handling and steering, Audi offers a standard setup for electronic power steering and ride quality that can be a little harsh in the Coupe. There’s also an option for Drive Select, which allows drivers to choose settings for shift quality, suspension stiffness, and steering feel. The system tends to build steering weight too quickly off center, but otherwise both the coupe and cabriolet offer flat cornering and very sharp reflexes, along a hundred-mile route taken through Napa wine country, as well as stellar braking performance.

The cockpit of the Audi S5 fits driver and front passengers well. The front seats cradle you in comfort, and the dimensions are fairly generous for leg- and shoulder room. In back, it’s less well endowed; the rear seats are tight and don’t provide enough legroom for adults. Thanks to the thick pillars and low roofline in the Coupe, visibility out the back while driving is pretty dismal. The Cabriolet’s visibility, of course, improves with the top down, but stays about the same when the roof is up. The S5’s trunk is large for the class, but the trunk opening itself is fairly small. In both the coupe and cabriolet, the rear seats fold flat into the cabin to tote longer objects. There’s locking storage in the glove box and console, one-liter bottle holders molded into the door panels, and other small storage spaces in the cabin.

While neither NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) nor the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has crash-tested the S5/Cabriolet, Audi scores highly with TheCarConnection.com on safety for its long list of standard features and a strong crash-test score in the related Audi A4 sedan lineup. The S5 Coupe and S5 Cabriolet both offer dual front, side, and curtain airbags; knee airbags; anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control (which can be turned off for sporty driving); active roll bars that pop up in the event of a rollover accident; and a rearview camera with parking sensors. On both, the front seatbelts are "presented" to driver and passenger at the shoulder on automatically extending arms. LED daytime running lights are also standard.

The 2010 Audi S5/Cabriolet doesn’t give up any conveniences in the name of high performance; expect everything that you would find in a full-fledged luxury coupe, including power and heated everything, as well as adaptive headlamps. Standard features include dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Cabriolet’s top is power-operated and thickly lined, and folds away in just 15 seconds. TheCarConnection.com’s editors would absolutely opt for the expensive add-on Bang & Olufsen sound system, as well as the navigation system and iPhone integration kits. Other options pipe warm air through the seats to the front passengers to extend convertible season. Audi’s MMI controller is upgraded, and it’s now easier to control navigation and audio systems with its joystick controller and LCD screen.

• Jetlike thrust from either engine
• Gorgeous styling
• All-wheel-drive traction
• Outstanding all-around performance

• Cramped rear seats
• Lofty price tag
• Tight trunk opening
• Limited rearward vision in coupe

The consensus is that the 2010 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." On the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet, Car and Driver says that "two types of front seats will be offered," including "aggressive sport seats" and optional, "slightly less aggressive thrones" with the comfort package. Cars.com notes "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." The Cabriolet gets a similar rear-seat treatment, which prompts Car and Driver to report that the "back seat is strictly a two-passenger affair but is spacious for a convertible in this class and tolerable for adults." 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."

Fancy features aside, the 2010 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. While most convertibles in this class feature space-sucking hardtop convertibles, the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet gets a cloth roof, which bestows the S5 Cabriolet with a respectable amount of versatility. Cars.com says the "move allows for 11.3 cubic feet of storage volume with the top down," while some of the biggest competitors-like the Volvo C70-make do with just "6 cubic feet of trunk space with the top down." In addition to the spacious trunk, Car and Driver points out that Cabriolet’s "50/50-split back seat also folds forward, swelling cargo capacity to 26.5 cubic feet."

Quality is typical for Audi: tightly constructed and tasteful. 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. 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."

Aside from the obvious security advantage, hardtop convertibles typically afford a much quieter ride than cloth tops, but reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that the Audi S5 Cabriolet matches nearly any car in the class for noise levels. Popular Mechanics says that the S5 Cabriolet "comes standard with Audi’s Acoustics Roof, which is said to reduce noise levels ‘almost to the sedan level.’" Car and Driver has no trouble agreeing with that statement, proclaiming "with the Bang & Olufsen stereo cranked, wind noise isn’t even an issue."

In tests of the 2010 Audi S5, TheCarConnection.com’s experts find a high-performance hardtop coupe and soft-top convertible that is plenty quick in either guise.

The Audi essentials are on full display: The S5 coupe cranks out 354 horsepower from a 4.2-liter V-8 engine that also spins out 325 pound-feet of torque. The S5 Cabriolet, meanwhile, gets a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that puts out the same amount of torque, but loses 21 horsepower to the V-8. With either delightful transmission-six-speed manual or automatic-the 2010 Audi S5 routes that power to all four wheels, thundering to 60 mph in a blink-quick 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. The Audi S5 Cabriolet isn’t too far behind, crossing the 60-mph threshold in just 5.6 seconds-and it offers Audi’s new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to boot.

Edmunds points out that at Audi, "an ’S’ instead of an ’A’ before a model’s number indicates the performance version." The V-8 provides "eager response," they say, while Cars.com observes, "The V-8 doesn’t care one bit if you decide to wind it out to its 7,000 rpm redline, either-it just emits a turbine-like whir as engine speed builds. It’s this smooth-spinning nature that is one of the V-8’s most endearing qualities." Car and Driver admires its engine note, calling it "alarmingly (and addictively) loud, bellowing its song at a volume no one would expect from a car so well dressed." Differing opinions feel the engine is too quiet, "almost to a fault," notes MyRide.com, stating that the "V-8’s sweet rumble is isolated from the cabin." This is a powerful vehicle, and "all 354 horses work as intended."

The 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet gets a lower-displacement, but nearly as powerful, supercharged V-6 that fares very well with reviewers. Cars.com points out that they don’t know "how much of that power will be missed by convertible drivers," since these consumers tend not to be as performance-oriented anyway. Regardless, Car and Driver says that the Audi S5 Cabriolet offers "nearly identical performance and 20 percent better overall fuel economy" compared to its coupe sibling.

Unique in its class, the 2010 Audi S5 coupe comes with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, both with standard all-wheel drive (quattro). The 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet is, according to Popular Mechanics, available exclusively with "Audi’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (S Tronic)" and the same all-wheel-drive system, with the addition of "torque vectoring" that shifts power from side to side as well as front to back. Cars.com drives the manual and emerges with some minor quibbles: "The manual transmission’s shifter slides smoothly between gears and engages with a slightly mechanical feel, but I found it more difficult than expected to creep along in heavy traffic in this car." They do state, "Drive the S5 aggressively, though, and smooth shifts become easier." This is a car for enthusiasts. MyRide.com says you can "ram through the manual’s six cogs," and even though the "throws could be a bit more precise," the smoothness is "hard to beat." Edmunds reports "the manual transmission’s shifter has light, if somewhat long, throws with firm engagement." No sources researched by TheCarConnection.com tested the automatic. With the manual, the 2010 Audi S5 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, Edmunds observes. Audi claims the automatic S5 will hit 60 in 5.1 seconds, and Kelley Blue Book asserts "our seat-of-the pants evaluation gives us no reason to doubt this." As for the seven-speed dual-clutch on the Cabriolet, Car and Driver warns that it "makes take-off sluggish" and "responds painfully slowly to paddle requests"-exactly the opposite impression of the editors at TheCarConnection.com, who like the dual-clutch transmission’s instantaneous responses.

"All this V-8-induced fun doesn’t come without penalty at the pump," Cars.com says. The EPA lists the 2010 Audi S5 automatic at 16/24 mpg and the manual at 14/22 mpg. The 2010 Audi S5 requires premium fuel. "Using Audi’s gear suggestion display, it’s possible to shift at very low rpm to conserve fuel, but the EPA combined rating of 16 miles per gallon is the price you pay for having such reserves of power," reports Kelley Blue Book. Fortunately, the V-6 that rests under the Cabriolet’s hood is significantly thriftier, returning an EPA-estimated 17 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

New for 2010 is the Audi Drive Select Package, which includes adaptive suspension dampers and dynamic steering. With or without the system, the S5 coupe and cabriolet turn in flat and respond in a snap, even with electronic power steering, which elicits mixed feelings in TheCarConnection.com’s editors. Edmunds reports, "The wheel’s effort is a bit light, but its precise action inspires complete confidence when unraveling a favorite twisty road." Cars.com feels the steering has "too much isolation from the road" and notes "the S5’s firm suspension makes for a bumpy ride on some surfaces, but it’s not excessively rough. Enthusiasts will appreciate the minimal body roll in tight turns." On the more comfortable Cabriolet, Car and Driver notes that the Audi "rides well but never feels floaty." The 2010 S5’s braking is stellar. Kelley Blue Book calls the brakes "excellent and powerful." But while weight distribution is better in the Audi S5 than in the previous S4, with 56.9 percent of the mass on the front, rather than the previous 61.9 percent, according to Car and Driver, it’s still hindered by heft. As Edmunds states, "Beefy curb weight and artificial steering feel hamper the car’s sporting potential."

The 2010 Audi S5 is Germany’s take on the American muscle car; with its powerful yet chic styling, it represents at both the drag strip and on Rodeo Drive. New for 2010 is the Audi S5 Cabriolet, a drop-top version of the S5 lineup derived from last year’s S4 convertible, though reviews read by TheCarConnection.com agree that the S5 is much more attractive.

"With the brand’s customary wide-mouth grille flanked by lower air intakes, the S5 is instantly recognizable as an Audi," states Cars.com. The 2010 S5 defines sporty elegance. The hotted-up V-8 version of the A5 coupe introduced two years ago throbs with muscle car power-and especially from the rear, it bears more than a passing resemblance to the coming Chevrolet Camaro, with great proportions, curves, and crests to its sheetmetal. Cars.com details the differences between the S5 and the Audi A5: "Even though the S5’s lines are essentially the same as the A5’s, a number of subtle cues will tip off informed bystanders to the fact that they’re looking at an S model. Details include a revised grille, silver-colored side mirrors, quad tailpipes and unique 19-inch alloy wheels, in addition to S5 badges." Unlike many of the Audi S5 Cabriolet’s competitors, this four-ringed drop-top has a "cloth roof," according to Car and Driver, which Audi claims is "more upscale than a folding hardtop."

According to Automobile Magazine, "Designer Walter de’Silva declares this to be his most beautiful car yet, and we’re not inclined to disagree." Edmunds likes the "elegant design inside and out." The S5 is "one sinister-looking performance coupe," Cars.com says. The 2010 Audi S5’s rear spoiler is integrated into the deck lid, and the 19-inch double-spoke alloy wheels mimic the body’s flowing lines without being excessive. MyRide.com notes that the "alloys fill the wheel wells," and "a rising lower body crease gives the flanks a bit of added character." To round out the image of this sweet ride, "the low roof line gives the Audi a hunkered-down stance." Kelley Blue Book isn’t too keen on the panoramic glass roof, warning that "you may be disappointed by the (large) fixed glass piece that only tilts." If you don’t like the roof either, consider the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet, as Automobile Magazine feels that "as gorgeous as the A5 looks in hardtop form, it looks even better as a convertible." Car and Driver simply comments that the convertibles "offer handsome styling, whether the top’s up or down," echoing the opinions of many reviews read by TheCarConnection.com. MyRide.com remarks that "up front is the familial grille, which sits forward of a power-dome hood and between other signature styling cues," such as the "aggressive horizontal headlight housings." Special S badges complete the look. The tail doesn’t exactly pop out at you, but the "trim taillights and a clear fascia design" make for a "subdued" style. Cars.com points out the "LED daytime running lights," which are still rare enough to stand out in the automotive landscape.

Inside, the 2010 S5 sports Audi’s typical quality and detailing that other automakers seek but fail to emulate. Car and Driver calls it a "fabulous place." There are plenty of buttons for radio controls and a generous application of aluminum and chrome trim, too, making the interior a little busy. Edmunds says "it’s richly appointed," and though Audi’s Multi-Media Interface routes most controls through a central control knob, it works better than BMW’s iDrive. Cars.com deems the cabin "sporty and elegant" in that "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." The 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet gets a similarly appealing treatment, and Car and Driver reviewers love the "arcs of brushed aluminum trim and French-stitched leather" that they say "are modern, but not so much that you’re intimidated." Edmunds concludes, "the S5 arguably offers more eye-catching style than all of its competitors put together."

Though neither NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) nor the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has crash-tested the 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet or 2010 Audi S5, the S5 shares its underlying body structure with the new Audi A4 sedan, which has garnered top marks in crash tests from the federal government.

Cars.com notes there have been no published crash-test ratings for the 2010 Audi S5 by the government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, "but Audis generally do well in both such tests."

Crash-test scores aside, the 2010 S5 and Audi S5 Cabriolet come with an alphabet soup of safety features: ABS, ESP, ACC, AWD, and so on. Edmunds catalogs the standard safety features that come on the Audi S5: "Antilock disc brakes (with brake assist), stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags"-a good selection. Additional features include an optional "backup camera and Audi’s Side Assist blind spot warning system," says Cars.com. A new adaptive cruise control that maintains a safe distance from the car ahead is optional this year.

According to MyRide.com, the 2010 Audi S5’s "four-wheel antilock disc brakes [are] bolstered by electronic brake force distribution and a stability control system," keeping you safe on the road. "That’s in addition to quattro all-wheel drive," says MyRide.com, which praises the "sure-footed technology standard on every model." For those who "like to push the limits of adhesion during spirited driving," ForbesAutos reports, "the electronic stability program can be deactivated in two stages," depending on whether you plan to drive your S5 more enthusiastically or just want a little wheel slip to power through a snowy driveway.

The 2010 Audi S5/Cabriolet offers a long list of standard features and some options that are aimed to please technophiles with more than $50,000 to spend on the two-door.

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."

The 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet gets the same features as the standard coupe, along with a cloth top that runs up and down in a matter of seconds. Popular Mechanics raves that the "S5 roof opens completely in 15 seconds (7 less than a BMW 335i Convertible) and at speeds up to 31 mph." In order to help fight rushes of cold air when the top is down, Popular Mechanics says Audi has included an "optional three-phase neck-level heating" system that delivers a "strong blast of hot air [that] is nearly impervious to speed."

As for options on the coupe and cabrio, how about a 505-watt high-end 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 on coupes 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."

According to Car and Driver, performance options on the Cabriolet include a "’sport’ differential," which spreads torque from side to side as traction needs change. On both models the Drive Select system is optional; it enables the driver to select steering and suspension settings.

Some find Audi’s implementation of its 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." 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." For 2010, things are made a bit easier with voice control for the navigation system.