C & D Tested: 2025 Audi S5 Is a First and a Last
Successor to the current S5 Sportback, the new S5 is the first new model on Audi's last new combustion-engine vehicle architecture.
HIGHS: Fleet-footed, eager in corners, roomier than before.
LOWS: No more coupe or convertible, muted steering, interior not as luxe as some rivals.
Specifications
2025 Audi S5
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $63,995/$73,940
Options: Prestige package (adaptive cruise control, acoustic front side windows, matrix LED headlights with animations, Bang & Olufsen premium audio system with front headrest speakers, OLED taillights, dynamic interaction lighting, nappa-leather seating, front sport seats with ventilation and massage, head-up display, headlight washers, heated outboard rear seats, heated steering wheel with hands-on detection, LED Interior Lighting Pro package, rear side-window sunshades, passenger display, panoramic glass roof with variable light control, Park Assist Plus, adaptive sport suspension, 360-degree camera system, USB power delivery), $7550; Edition One package (20-inch multispoke S-design wheels in tricolor finish, summer tires, Vanadium Interior package, darkened exterior accents), $1800; Ascari Blue Metallic paint, $595
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2995 cm3
Power: 362 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque: 406 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
TRANSMISSION
7-speed dual-clutch automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.2-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza Sport
HL245/35R-20 98Y RO B-Silent
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 114.0 in
Length: 190.3 in
Width: 73.2 in
Height: 56.5 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 54/43 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 38/23 ft3
Curb Weight: 4304 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.9 sec
100 mph: 10.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.5 sec @ 110 mph
130 mph: 18.6 sec
150 mph: 28.2 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.9 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.1 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 157 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 150 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 314 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.96 g
Interior Sound
Idle: 42 dBA/3 sone
Full Throttle: 74 dBA
70-mph Cruising: 68 dBA/23 sone
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 25 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 33 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 480 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 22/19/28 mpg
For comparison here are their test figures for the M340i and AMG C43:
Specifications
2023 BMW M340i xDrive
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $59,395/$70,020
Options: Cooling and High-Performance Tire package (summers tires, additional oil cooler, more powerful cooling fan), $2400; Black leather with blue stitching, $1500; Premium package (heated steering wheel and front seats), $1350; Harman/Kardon stereo, $875; Shadowline package (extended Shadowline trim, M Sport brakes, LED lights), $850; Parking Assistance package (surround view cameras, parking sensors), $700; Driving Assistance package (lane departure warning, active blind-spot detection), $700; Melbourne Red Metallic paint, $650; adaptive suspension, $550; Sensatec dashboard, $350; remote engine start, $300; BMW M 50 Years emblems, $200
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 183 in3, 2998 cm3
Power: 382 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque: 369 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.7-in vented disc/13.6-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
F: 225/40R-19 93Y ★
R: 255/35R-19 96Y ★
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 185.9 in
Width: 71.9 in
Height: 56.7 in
Passenger Volume: 95 ft3
Trunk Volume: 17 ft3
Curb Weight: 3988 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.7 sec
100 mph: 9.5 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.2 sec @ 112 mph
130 mph: 17.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.5 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.0 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 150 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 310 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.95 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 19 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 33 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 510 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 26/23/32 mpg
Specifications
2023 Mercedes-AMG C43
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $61,050/$68,820
Options: AMG Carbon Fiber Package $1750; 20-inch AMG split 10-spoke wheels w/ black accents, $1650; black leather with red stitching, $1620; AMG Night Package, $750; navigation, $650; AMG Night Package II, $550; AMG Real Performance Sound, $550; AMG Track Pace, $250.
ENGINE
Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 121 in3, 1991 cm3
Power: 402 hp @ 6750 rpm
Torque: 369 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 14.2-in vented disc/12.6-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
F: 245/35ZR-20 (95Y) MO1 Extra Load
R: 265/30ZR-20 (94Y) MO1 Extra Load
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.8 in
Length: 188.6 in
Width: 74.4 in
Height: 57.1 in
Trunk Volume: 8.8 ft3
Curb Weight: 4090 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.9 sec
100 mph: 9.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.5 sec @ 111 mph
130 mph: 17.8 sec
150 mph: 26.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.9 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Speed (mfr's claim): 165 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 149 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 306 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.92 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 20 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 33 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 570 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 22/19/26 mpg