Audi S5 Sportback Hatchback, starting at 57,900 $

Sleek Speed With a Hatchback Secret

The Audi S5 Sportback blends coupe curves with four-door practicality, and it does it without shouting. Subtle S-specific bits—more aggressive bumpers, quad exhausts, and standard 19-inch wheels—give it the right stance without veering into boy-racer territory. The long roofline isn’t just for style; it hides a wide hatch that makes this fastback more useful than most sedans. It’s the rare car that looks tailored for a night out and still hauls the weekend gear without complaint.

Cockpit Calm, With Real Buttons Where It Counts

Inside, the S5 pairs clean design with rich materials, from leather/Alcantara standard to optional Fine Nappa and tasteful aluminum or carbon trim. Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit and a 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen keep the tech crisp and responsive, while physical climate controls remain refreshingly easy to use. The seating position is low and sporty, the S sport seats are supportive on long drives, and outward visibility is better than the slinky roof suggests. It’s an upscale, quietly athletic place to rack up miles.

Space That Works, Even in the Real World

Officially a five-seater, the S5 Sportback is best for four adults, with generous legroom and slightly snug headroom in the back due to the fast roofline. The hatch is the ace up its sleeve: a low load floor and wide opening reveal about 21.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. That’s enough for multiple suitcases, a stroller, or a full Costco run, and the split-folding rear backrest expands it further for longer items. Everyday life fits here with fewer compromises than the sleek shape suggests.

Quattro Grip, Everyday Speed

The heart of the S5 is a 3.0-liter turbo V6 with 349 hp and 369 lb-ft, paired to an 8-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. Launches are clean and drama-free, with independent tests putting 0–60 mph around 4.4 seconds, which makes freeway merges and quick passes effortless. The chassis mixes secure balance with a taut-but-composed ride, and the optional adaptive dampers and sport rear differential sharpen turn-in while keeping comfort in play. Steering is accurate rather than chatty, but the car’s planted feel builds confidence on winding roads and in bad weather alike.

Fuel Numbers You Can Live With

The S5 Sportback carries a 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway EPA rating, landing in the low-20s combined for most drivers. With a 15.3-gallon tank, expect roughly 350 miles between fill-ups in mixed driving, and more on long highway stints. It prefers premium fuel, as expected for a turbo V6, but its efficiency is reasonable given the performance and standard all-wheel drive. Drive it gently and the trip computer rewards; lean on the boost and it returns the favor with pace instead of frugality.

Digital Smarts and Driver Confidence

Key safety tech is well covered: automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are included, with adaptive cruise and active lane centering available. Parking sensors are standard, while a surround-view camera, traffic sign recognition, and a head-up display are offered for those who want a fuller safety net. The system calibration is calm and polished, making long commutes feel easier rather than more complicated.

Infotainment is equally sorted, with the 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen delivering quick responses and crisp graphics, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit adds configurable maps and performance readouts right in the gauge cluster, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system is available for serious sound quality. Wireless charging and multiple USB-C ports keep devices topped up, and over-the-air updates keep features current. It’s tech that aids the drive instead of stealing the show.

The Lineup, Simplified

The S5 Sportback is offered as Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, each with the same 3.0 TFSI V6, 8-speed automatic, and quattro all-wheel drive making 349 hp. The differences are in comfort and tech: driver assistance, upgraded audio, head-up display, and extra convenience features layer in as you move up. That means even the base car feels complete, while higher trims simply turn the dial toward luxury and gadgetry. Pick the features that matter and you won’t miss anything in the performance department.

Who Should Buy It?

This is a sweet spot for drivers who want a sleek grand-tourer feel without giving up back-seat utility or the convenience of a hatch. It’s fast enough to thrill, refined enough for daily duty, and practical enough to stand in for a small SUV. Shoppers eyeing a BMW M440i Gran Coupe or a sporty luxury sedan will find the S5 Sportback’s mix of traction, polish, and cargo space compelling. For the style-conscious commuter or small family that refuses to trade pace for practicality, it’s an easy yes.