Over 17700km (11’000mi),  the gas mileage log comes out at 10.55 L/100km (26.8 imperial mpg) at 75 km/h average speed, indicative of a high freeway mix in my usage pattern (favorable to fuel economy) driven at hurried pace (not as favorable to fuel economy). Very reasonable indeed for a car of that size, weight and power. This 3.0 TFSI V6 is a superb engine.

Note: chart updated as of 27000km/17’000mi.

The S-Tronic dual clutch transmission, sole available option on the S5 Sportback and, since the late 2012 facelift, on the S4 as well, is a very good match for the engine. Smooth, quick and attentive, it is rare and difficult to fault its moves. Its reluctance to downshift in first at crawling speeds sometimes worries me, its tendency to ride the clutch in these circumstances cannot be good for the clutches, but one has to trust that the Audi and Borg Warner boffins had good reasons to write firmware that way. Occasionally, the box can be caught on the wrong foot when giving gas while it – finally – slots first in, but this is the case for all twin clutch transmissions. I wish the steering-wheel mounted paddles were sometimes a bit more reactive, especially when short-shifting at low revs, but it seldom bothers me as I tend to sometimes indulge in over-eager eco-drive. The D mode is clearly leaning in that fuel-efficient direction, favoring low revs, but without adverse consequences on comfort. No drone, no vibration, just the expected effortlessness. I am far more annoyed by the absence of engine breaking. Downshifting while coasting to a stop is useless. I am clueless as to the causes, whether related to the reduction of powertrain and peripheral losses or a deliberate intent to let the car run freely when the throttle is lifted. Either way, brakes are the only way to slow your pace down or do as little as maintaining constant speed on a steep downhill.

Large outside, small inside

4.72m in length, 2.81m in wheelbase, imposing front fenders and an endless hood, I found the S5 Sportback to be a large car to handle in parking situations, furthermore as the overall dimensions are not the easiest to apprehend. Underground parkings and circular ramps offer plenty of challenging situations where the parking sensors and camera do not provide all the assistance required, and angling the right mirror down toward the rear wheel is an area necessary to watch. After a few alerts, this car pushes me to a level of attention I did not experience before. The jump from the old 4.50m gauge of the older B5-B7 S4 generations to the 22cm supplement of the B8 platform is not without consequence on practicality in tight urban conditions, and the 5m class (Porsche Panamera for instance) pauses yet another set of challenges. Larger cars for tighter spaces, go figure a solution.

It is a paradox that this external growth does not translate into expanded internal living space. While front seats are generously comfortable in legroom and elbow width, the two rear seats feel tight and crowded to adults. Short doors, high sills, low roofline, ingress is not easy and space allocated to the two rear passengers limited. Unlike the S4, the S5 is a strict four seater. My benchmark Samsonite laptop and daily-crap bag hardly has enough space behind my seat, and I tend to stow it in the trunk to avoid scraping the leather and plastics. Thanks to the large (and heavy) rear hatch, access to the trunk is easy and its capacity – extensible through 1/3-2/3 folding seats is practical, although no match for an S4 wagon. 

As expected with Audi, interior finish is top notch and meets the highest standards for the category. Material choice, leather selection, assembly gaps, even secondary parts are one notch above competition.  The MMI+ interface is easy and intuitive to navigate, and safer to operate than touchscreen systems where a soft button can be aimed at precisely without taking your eyes off the road. Other brands, such as BMW, offer nowadays larger displays and excellent graphical user interfaces, but Audi remains a reference in the production of luxurious and well-made interiors.

The S5 is silent and offers a high level of comfort, except for a sometimes fidgety secondary ride on deformed pavement. I initially blamed the good looking 20in rims, but did not find much improvement with the 245/40R18 Dunlop SP3’s winter rubber. Stability at freeway speeds is superb, making long journeys relaxing. I have however not had yet the opportunity to travel long distances on german autobahns.