The Audi RS5 Sportback, with its blistering 444 horsepower, is undeniably impressive. However, after spending a week thoroughly enjoying the 349-horsepower 2020 Audi S5 Sportback, it’s hard to justify needing anything more. This model hits a remarkable balance, offering exhilarating performance without sacrificing daily usability and comfort.
Performance and Powertrain of the 2020 S5 Sportback
The 2020 Audi S5 Sportback inherits all the desirable qualities of its RS5 sibling, but in a more accessible package. It boasts a sophisticated design, a hushed and comfortable ride, and cutting-edge technology. Crucially, the Sportback configuration adds significant practicality thanks to its versatile hatchback.
Under the hood lies a potent 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, delivering a healthy 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive system and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, the S5 Sportback achieves a 0-to-60 mph sprint in just 4.5 seconds.
While the RS5 Sportback shaves off a mere 0.7 seconds in the same sprint, achieving it in 3.8 seconds, this difference becomes negligible in real-world driving scenarios. Unless you frequently find yourself on a racetrack, the S5’s performance is more than ample for spirited daily driving and exhilarating weekend jaunts.
Balanced Driving Dynamics and Handling
One critique often leveled at the RS5 is a sense of sterility – immense speed without engaging emotion. The 2020 S5 Sportback, while sharing some of this composure, feels more fitting for its position as a mid-tier performance model. The gap in driving feel between an S5 and RS5 isn’t as vast as, for instance, the difference between a Mercedes-AMG C43 and the more ferocious C63. The S5 strikes a compelling balance between sporty agility and refined comfort.
The 3.0-liter V6 engine in the S5 is a standout feature. It provides ample low-end torque, and the twin-scroll turbocharger ensures rapid boost delivery on demand. Impressively, enjoying the engine’s capabilities doesn’t come at a significant fuel economy penalty. During a week of enthusiastic driving through canyons and city errands in Los Angeles, fuel consumption averaged around 23 miles per gallon, matching the EPA’s combined rating.
For those seeking enhanced handling, the Prestige trim level offers the optional S Sport Package. This worthwhile upgrade includes a stiffer suspension with adaptive dampers, striking a good balance between sporty firmness and everyday comfort. However, the highlight of this package is the sport rear differential, incorporating torque vectoring to the rear axle. Given the rear-biased nature of Audi’s Quattro system, this addition sharpens the S5’s cornering prowess, making it feel more agile in tighter turns, although it remains distinctly all-wheel drive in character. For drivers in colder climates, equipping winter tires transforms the S5 Sportback into a capable and enjoyable vehicle even in snowy conditions.
Design and Practicality of the Sportback Configuration
The Sportback body style is arguably the most compelling aspect of the 2020 Audi S5. Audi Drive Select offers customizable driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual. A preferred setting for many is Individual mode, allowing for a softer chassis setting combined with Dynamic steering and Auto engine response, tailoring the driving experience to personal preference. While a variable-ratio Dynamic Steering option is available, the standard setup provides a good balance, offering quicker response in sportier settings but remaining light and manageable in Comfort mode.
The true strength of the S5 Sportback, consistent across Audi’s S models, is its exceptional balance. In Dynamic mode, it becomes a thrilling companion on winding roads. Yet, switching to Auto mode transforms the S5 into a relaxed and refined luxury car, ideal for navigating traffic or everyday errands. While the RS5 shares this duality, its substantial price premium of $20,000 doesn’t translate to a proportionally greater level of driving excitement, making the S5 the smarter choice for many.
Subtle updates for the 2020 model year include refreshed LED headlights and taillights, though these are evolutionary rather than revolutionary design changes. The optional Black Optic Package, with its 20-inch wheels and darkened exterior trim, enhances the visual appeal. The Sportback configuration itself is a major advantage, offering significantly improved functionality over the Coupe and Cabriolet without compromising the car’s sleek aesthetics. The hatchback design unlocks 21.8 cubic feet of cargo space, more than double that of the S5 Coupe, and folding rear seats further expand cargo capacity for larger items. This practicality makes the S5 Sportback a compelling alternative to crossovers for those who prioritize style and driving dynamics.
Interior and Technology of the 2020 S5
The 2020 S5 Sportback receives an upgrade in cabin technology with Audi’s MIB 3 multimedia system, displayed on a responsive 10.1-inch center screen. The system features user-friendly, colorful menu tiles and a straightforward menu structure. Notably, unlike some higher-end Audi models like the S6, the S5 omits the secondary lower touchscreen, opting for traditional climate controls, which maintain a clean and sophisticated cabin aesthetic. A standout tech feature remains Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster, widely praised for its customization and clarity.
All of these technology features come standard on the Prestige trim, an upgrade that adds $8,400 to the S5 Sportback’s base price of $52,895 (including destination charges). The Prestige trim also includes a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, lane-keeping assist, a head-up display, traffic sign recognition, parking assist, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, and wireless phone charging.
Value and Competition in the Sporty Hatchback Segment
A fully equipped 2020 Audi S5 Sportback Prestige reaches a price of $69,240. While seemingly substantial, this price point aligns with competitors like the Mercedes-AMG C43, which, notably, lacks the Sportback’s hatchback versatility. For many buyers, a mid-level Premium Plus trim with carefully selected options will offer an ideal balance of features and value. Configuring a well-equipped S5 Sportback in Premium Plus trim can bring the price down to a more reasonable $63,340.
The 2020 Audi S5 Sportback stands out as an exceptionally well-rounded vehicle. Its primary competitors include the BMW 440i Gran Coupe and the Kia Stinger GT. While the BMW is showing its age, and some Audi loyalists might overlook the Kia Stinger despite its merits, the S5 Sportback holds a strong position in the market. Even within the Audi family, the S5 Sportback presents a compelling alternative to the S4 sedan and the SQ5 crossover. Ultimately, the 2020 Audi S5 Sportback emerges as the most appealing choice, even surpassing the allure of the more powerful RS5 for its blend of performance, practicality, and everyday usability.
