2023 Audi S5

With the standard 3 trim configurations, Audi has kept things classic with the Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. All the trims are perfectly balanced and logically expand on their lower counterparts. The base premium trim comes with 19-inch 5-double-arm design wheels, Matrix-design LED headlights, and Leather upholstery for the asking price of $55,300 which makes it an excellent option and not just a weaker trim. Audi has also kept things simple with the paint schemes and none of them are too out there for the S5 Coupe. Going up the trims to the Premium Plus or the Prestige provides a long list of packages to upgrade and customize the S5 to your liking which is expected of Audi.

All trims have had astounding attention to detail as they have a wide range of features coming with them and have package options that specifically complement them. The Audi S5 Coupe can be geared towards high-end performance or maximized comfort and entertainment and the options available are attractive and make the S5 Coupe an option for a wider range of people. The higher trims have a wide array of driver assistance features that the Premium trim misses out on but can still access with the convenience package making it an excellent choice as well. Some of the packages on offer by Audi for the 2023 S5 Coupe are- 

Convenience Package ( Premium Trim) 

• Alarm system with motion sensor
• Adaptive cruise control
• Audi advanced key with keyless entry 
• Auto-dimming exterior mirrors with memory
• Audi side assist with pre-sense rear
• Heated steering wheel
• Memory for driver’s seat
• Parking system plus
• 3 months trial for SiriusXM w/ 360L

Black optic plus package (Premium Plus and Prestige) 

• 20" 5-twin-spoke wheels
• Black exterior trim
• Black Audi rings and badges
• Black exterior mirror housings and exhaust tips
• Black fender badges

S sport package (Premium Plus and Prestige)

• Red brake calipers
• Sport rear differential
• Sport adaptive damping suspension

Navigation package (Premium Plus and Prestige)

• MMI Navigation plus
• 6-month trial subscription of Audi connect PLUS 

Warm Weather package

• Different Leather seating surfaces 
• Ventilated front sport seats without massage 

We Recommend 

We would recommend going with the Premium Plus trim with the Navigation package, Black optic plus package, and last but not least Fine Nappa leather interior package. All this would ensure an incredibly pleasurable driving experience and all the features that the Premium Plus trim comes with. We especially enjoyed the Chronos Gray Metallic paint scheme to go along with your 2023 Audi S5 Coupe. The whole package would cost $64,290 and give you the best in terms of comfort and accessibility while not compromising the performance and agility of the S5 Coupe. However, we must also add that the Premium trim with the convenience package and the Prestige trim with similar package choices are also great additions by themselves. 

Release date 

The 2023 Audi S5 Coupe is available right now on the Audi USA website and can be built and ordered right now. 

With a 5.0L turbocharged V6, you can be sure that the S5 Coupe will be powerful enough to overtake most cars with ease be it on the road or the highway. The engine produces 349 hp and 369lb-ft of torque to go along with it, giving the Coupe enough power to achieve a 0 to 60 acceleration in a mere 4.3 seconds and a quarter mile in just 13.3 seconds. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with a smooth and predictable gear shift along with the signature Audi Quattro AWD drivetrain that inspires confidence with its brilliant handling and precise turning. The optional S Sport package gives the coupe a balance between the traction from an All-Wheel Drive drivetrain and the nimble control of a Rear-Wheel Drive. 

With the quickest acceleration and the second highest top speed, the 2023 Audi S5 takes the lead when it comes to performance and puts its pricier competitors to the test. The Mercedes Benz AMG C 43 Coupe and the BMW 2-Series M240i xDrive come at a close second with only a marginal difference in terms of acceleration but a slightly better top speed in the case of the M240i Coupe. The Lexus RC 350 F SPORT is the least powerful among its competitors and has the slowest start and acceleration when compared to its competitors. 

2023 Audi S5 Coupe Ride and Handling

The S5 has been well known for its smooth ride and handling owing to its signature AWD Drivetrain that has been tried and perfected by Audi and its smooth shifting 8 Speed automatic transmission that makes the Coupe’s driving experience predictable and smooth. Its low ground clearance and hunkered-down stance give it exceptional handling and the Multi-Link front and rear suspension make sure the ride is always comfortable when inside the 2023 S5 Coupe. Audi’s blend of performance and comfort is striking as the ride is as comfortable as the Coupe is fast. The acceleration is smooth and the Coupe has minimal noise inside the cabin even when going at high speeds. 

2023 Audi S5 Coupe Braking performance

The braking of the Audi S5 Coupe is just as competent as its powerful acceleration. With 13.8-inch brake rotors in the front and 13-inch brake rotors in the rear, the S5 Coupe has a powerful braking action going from 60 to 0 in a smooth 127 feet. It has Front and rear ventilated disc brakes to help it achieve a quick braking action. The stopping power is somewhat hindered by the slightly higher 3847 lbs curb weight but the braking action is smooth and predictable be it in adverse conditions or in day-to-day driving. The Audi brake control system also features standard safety measures like Emergency braking assist and stability and traction control systems. 

With the quickest braking action despite its curb weight being the highest among its competitors, the Mercedes Benz AMG C 43 Coupe takes the lead. The 2023 Audi S5 Coupe comes second but with a wide margin despite having the lowest curb weight among the coupes. The 2023 BMW 2-Series M240i xDrive takes third place marginally behind the S5 Coupe. We do not have data on the 2023 Lexus RC 350 F SPORT’s braking distance but owing to its bigger rotors we expect it to stop quickly possibly coming right after the 2023 Mercedes Benz AMG C 43 Coupe. 

Performance coupes generally don’t do well with fuel efficiency but the 2023 Audi S5 has a decent one at that. It has an EPA-estimated fuel efficiency of 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway for a combined fuel efficiency of 24 mpg. It has an above-average 15.3-gallon fuel tank which gives it one of the best driving ranges we have seen in performance coupes coming at a range of 321.30 miles in the city and 459.00 miles on the highway for a combined fuel efficiency of 367.20 miles. We must also note that the fuel efficiency changes with performance, the coupe may provide a decent fuel economy when driving in the city but when push comes to shove the S5 can start to become thirsty much like other performance coupes. 

Despite having the best fuel efficiency among its competitors, the BMW 2-Series M240i xDrive is held back by its smaller engine which makes its driving range on the lower end. The Lexus RC 350 F SPORT has the largest fuel tank and the second best fuel efficiency giving it the best range, while the Mercedes Benz AMG C 43 Coupe may have an equally large fuel capacity but it is also the least fuel efficient, thus making its overall rank the lowest. The Audi S5 Coupe has moderate fuel efficiency but a smaller-than-average fuel capacity making it overall lower than average for its class.

High quality, premium-feeling interior components mixed with crisp attention to detail and quality fit and finish is what marks out the S5 Coupe’s interior. It has roomy power-adjustable seats with a massage function and three-zone climate control is standard making the S5’s cabin comfortable. The dashboard has modern practicality mixed with old-school flare, the chrome accents going around the dashboard is also a major plus along with the air vents that give the interior a more old-school approach while keeping functionality at the helm. The carbon atlas inlays contrast beautifully with the rest of the interior and the S Sport seats offer plenty of adjustability and comfort options. The visibility could be an issue just like in the Sportback variant due to a smaller back and the thicker rear spoiler. 

All the coupes in the competition have their upsides and downsides, the Lexus RC 350 F SPORT, for instance, has brilliant front row space but has the smallest back row and the second largest cargo space. The Mercedes Benz AMG C 43 Coupe has the largest trunk space and decent space overall. The BMW 2-Series M240i xDrive has a smaller trunk but makes up for that with its best interior space overall with decent proportions for the front and rear rows. The Audi S5 Coupe has the smallest cargo capacity due to its design and a lower-than-average interior but still a balanced approach to front-row and rear-row seating.

Some of the standout interior features of the 2023 S5 are:- 

• Leather and Carbon Atlas inlays
• 12-way power driver seat
• Multi-level heating driver and front passenger seat
• Massaging function 
• three-zone climate control
• head-up display in Prestige trim

2023 Audi S5 Coupe Infotainment system 

The infotainment system in the Audi S5 is cutting edge with a 10.1 inch HD display with three display modes along with Audi Virtual Cockpit in higher trims. The infotainment system is powered by a simple UI that is easy to use and access while keeping all the controls handy and easily available. The center console has intuitive rotary controllers for convenience but they can be tricky to master. A ten-speaker sound system is standard in the base trim but the Premium Plus and Prestige trim gets a 755watt 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system which makes the S5 perfect for long drives with crisp audio and rich bass. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration are standard in the S5 along with Bluetooth connectivity. The Prestige trim also gets a head-up display and an integrated navigation system.

Some of the standout interior features of the 2023 Audi S5 Coupe are:- 

• 10.1 inch HD MMI touch display
• Ten-speaker sound system
• USB and Bluetooth connectivity
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
•  Audi virtual cockpit
• Integrated voice recognition and Steering wheel control 

The Audi S5 is one of the best looking coupes ever designed and it has been a looker ever since its first launch. The 2023 S5 continues that legacy with an aggressive exterior styling coming from its large honeycomb grille flanked on two sides by edgy Matrix LED headlights for the front fascia. The side features sleek exterior accents along with a sloping roofline that has a Panoramic sunroof giving it a premium and classy appearance. The rear is endowed with dual exhausts on either side of the Coupe and slim LED Taillights completing its elegant styling. All of this sits on stunning 19-inch five-spoke double-arm wheels which are a signature for Audi. 

The Lexus RC 350 F Sport and Audi S5 Coupe have relatively similar interiors but the S5 has a longer wheelbase than the RC 350 F Sport whereas the RC 350 is the tallest among all its competitors. The Mercedes Benz AMG C 43 Coupe has the longest wheelbase and the lowest ground clearance among the competitors and the heaviest body weight whereas the Audi S5 Coupe is the lightest. The BMW 2-Series M240i xDrive is the smallest among the coupes but has a similar height to the AMG C 43 coupe.

Some of the standout features present in the exterior of the 2023 Audi S5 Coupe are:- 

• Signature Honeycomb grille
• Matrix LED Headlights 
• 19-inch five-spoke double-arm wheels
• Aluminum exterior bumpers 
• Black quad exhaust tips
• Panoramic Sunroof 

The Audi S5 Coupe has the latest and greatest in terms of safety features and driver assistance features that Audi could muster and it shows in the excellent ratings it has gotten by the IIHS in its 2022 iteration where it scored straight A’s except in the Lower leg/foot department. The 2023 Audi S5 has Driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags, an Electromechanical parking brake, Adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, and a Speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering system are added for extra protection. Other features like Lane departure warning accident avoidance system, Stability, traction control, and Tire pressure monitoring also make an appearance to give the Coupe added safety.

Some of the standout safety measures in the 2023 Audi S5 Coupe are:- 

• Electromechanical parking brake
• Adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist
• Speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering system
• Lane departure warning accident avoidance system
• Stability and traction control
• Tire pressure monitoring system 

2023 Audi S5 Coupe VS 2023 BMW 2-Series M240i xDrive

One of the closest competitors of the Audi S5 is the BMW 2 series coupe, both have been praised for their performance, design, and attention to detail and have had a fierce rivalry to go along with it. The S5 has quicker acceleration, a lighter body, a quicker braking action, a higher fuel capacity, a larger body, and a longer wheelbase. Whereas, the BMW 2-Series M240i xDrive has a higher top speed, a higher horsepower output, greater fuel efficiency and range despite a much smaller tank, a more spacious interior, a taller build, and a better cargo capacity. 

2023 Audi S5 Coupe VS 2023 Lexus RC 350 F SPORT

Lexus has been making quite the comeback recently after falling out of grace and the RC coupes are one of their best designs to still be operational. However, it is not enough to beat the tried and tested S5 as the S5 has quicker acceleration, a higher top speed, a more powerful engine, a lighter body, better fuel efficiency, a more spacious cabin, and a longer wheelbase all the while being much cheaper. The RC 350 also has positive traits like its larger fuel tank and range, better cargo capacity, and bigger brake rotors, but it is not enough to contend with the 2023 Audi S5. 

2023 Audi S5 Coupe VS 2023 Mercedes Benz AMG C 43 Coupe

Audi has been a less costly alternative to Mercedes Benz, or so the consensus goes. However, in this instance that is not the case as the Mercedes Benz AMG C 43 Coupe being much pricier also provides more value than the S5. It has a more powerful engine, bigger brake rotors and quicker braking action, a higher fuel capacity and driving range, a more spacious interior cabin, more cargo capacity, and a longer wheelbase. The 2023 Audi S5 has its upsides as well, like quicker acceleration, a higher top speed, a lighter body, and a more fuel-efficient drivetrain. 

The Audi S5 is an enigma, standing between the more economical and daily driving-oriented A5 and the more performance-oriented RS5, it has found a place where it can succeed. We would definitely recommend the 2023 Audi S5 as it has a few perks which are noticeably attractive like quick acceleration, capable handling, and a smooth drivetrain, along with a premium-looking interior and an aggressively sporty-looking exterior. It maintains a good middle ground between performance and luxury with benefits ranging from its fuel efficiency to its spacious interior. However, we must also acknowledge that the BMW 2-Series M240i xDrive is just as good a Coupe and has a better daily driving capability than the Audi S5. The S5 has a few flaws like a cramped rear row, a lower power output than its competitors, a slower braking action, and a tiny cargo capacity. Due to these reasons, the S5 is not a very efficient daily driver even though you could use it as one and it would be fine on most occasions and will impress with its looks and performance alike.