The 2025 Audi S5 is an antidote to today’s SUV outbreak

If you’re a Gen X car enthusiast, you probably grew up in the glare of sedans and station wagons without any SUV in the field of view – with the exception of the occasional prominent wild-eyed object such as Lamborghini LM002. Crossovers and SUVs have since shaken up the automotive landscape, rising to top-selling status, while coupes and sedans appear to be going the way of the VHS tape.

While some brands have moved away from SUVs, others are still sticking to the three-box format. AudiThe just-facelifted S5 is among a few proud unicorns: after 2025, the A5/S5 will replace the A4 with a single-seat, four-door coupe-style body style. For those keeping score at home, Mercedes-Benz has also combined its C and E classes into one intermediate model, and other brands are similarly streamlining their portfolios to meet the insatiable demand for sports cars.

“Sedan sales have been a steadily declining market for decades since SUVs reached their zenith in the 1990s,” said Ed Kim, president and chief analyst at AutoPacific. “The sedan now makes up a minority of new vehicle sales as crossovers are the dominant vehicle type in North America.” However, the new S5 is now a slightly larger and more premium variant that ditches the sedan variant and is only available in the so-called Sportback configuration, which uses a rear hatchback. Nearly three inches longer and 0.5 inches wider, this S5 feels noticeably roomier inside than its predecessors, especially for front-seat passengers. Also notable are the upscale touches, such as the addition of Dinamica suede trim panels along the dash, adding a bit of texture and depth to the buttoned-up Teutonic cabin.

The new S5 also looks more tech-focused, with 11.9-inch and 14.5-inch driver-focused displays, plus another available 10.9-inch screen in front of the passenger. The good news is that this digital real estate space means that most of what a driver needs can easily be displayed somewhere on multiple screens. The bad news: A/C controls have gone from physical switches to touchscreen menu items, and neither driver display provides a graphical representation of engine speed that’s easy to read at a glance. (We miss the tachometer’s circular motion against the bold red background.) There’s also an annoying tendency for the steering wheel touch button to play music when pressed unintentionally.

Featuring a 362-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine and a dual-clutch configuration that replaces the conventional transmission, the S5 accelerates confidently and is accompanied by a subtle but distinct exhaust note. The car accelerates to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds; it’s fast, but no supercar. Audi has also stiffened the suspension and steering on the new platform, enhancing the feeling of connection to the road below.

Although the adaptive suspension system can be adjusted for a softer ride, time spent traveling through the challenging mountain passes of Southern France near Saint-Paul-de-Vence never left us feeling out of sorts. The S5 corners smoothly and predictably and is capable of tenacious cornering with plenty of grip and barely a hint of understeer. Thanks to the standard sport differential, the S5 also turns in well, which further aids cornering by selectively braking the inside wheels as you approach the apex. These playful tendencies are reinforced by visual elements such as the flat top and bottom of the steering wheel, as well as the large quad tailpipes at the rear. But the S5 also clings to practicality, such as a hatchback-style rear with 26 cubic feet of cargo space and decent rear quarter room for adults.

Ed Kim suggests, “The people who really want sedans in today’s market tend to be ‘car people.’ They are often the naysayers who want to sit low in the car and avoid the high seats that most of today’s new car buyers want.” We’d dig even further and say that the S5 isn’t just a haven for those adversaries who would rather be caught dead than drive a crossover or SUV. The fact that Audi has ominously dubbed its underpinnings the “Premium Combustion Platform” points to its status as the last petrol model of its kind before it went electrified.

In the mantle of the most powerful Audi with an internal combustion engine, owned by RS Q8 crossover, this low-slung S5 deserves consideration as a practical and comfortable subcompact that doesn’t ride high on stilts. The die-hards will argue that the S5 peaked with the earlier, simpler versions. But as a 21st century answer to a sea of ​​sporting giants, the 2025 Audi S5 is a satisfying and attainable escape from the current influx of status quo SUVs.

Click Here Additional photos of the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback.