2018 Audi S5 Sportback First Look

2018 Audi S5 Sportback First Look By Auto Critic Steve Hammes

Audi calls it the Sportback body style but you likely know it as a hatchback or liftback. It’s a design Audi first brought to market with the A7 model line and now makes it available as an A5/S5 variant for the 2018 model year.

While the Coupe and Cabriolet feature 2 doors and a traditional trunk, this high-performance S5 Sportback is a 5-door design with considerably more passenger and luggage volume, moving it from the subcompact to midsize realm.

With seating for up to 5, the S5 Sportback offers 35 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded down, nearly tripling the trunk volume of the standard Coupe.  And when the model leads with an ‘S’ you know it has uprated performance.

The S5 runs with a turbocharged V6 churning out 354 horsepower, an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive.  This results in a 0-to-60mph time of 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 155mph when fitted with summer tires.

Mileage is rated at 24mpg in combined driving on recommended premium.  Audi drive select with 4 different modes – comfort, auto, dynamic and individual – tailor the car’s various systems at your whim.

The available S sport package includes red brake calipers, sport adaptive damping suspension and a rear sport differential for even more dynamic handling.  Regarding infotainment, the S5 Sportback comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto integration.

Pricing starts at $55,375 for the Premium Plus and about $60,000 for the top trim Prestige.