The second-generation Audi S5 is here to build on the main strengths of its predecessor – its sharp design, luxurious interior and striking performance.

The coupe version of the latest S5 arrived towards the end of 2016 and now the Sportback version, with two added doors and 6cm longer wheelbase, is here to create an attractive blend of speed and practicality in one premium package.

But can the latest S5 Sportback deliver these qualities and can it measure up against the likes of the BMW 4 Series 440i Gran Coupe and the Mercedes C43 AMG saloon?

To give it a fighting chance, Audi has made several key upgrades to the S5 including a lighter build (it’s 85kg lighter than before), more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics.

Performance

The biggest party piece in the latest S5 Sportback is found under the bonnet, a 3.0-litre TFSI turbocharged V6 petrol engine. This is combined with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox and Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive.

The resulting performance figures are very attractive indeed, with 349bhp on tap along with 500Nm of torque which comes in at just 1,370rpm. The 0-62mph sprint is covered in just 4.7 seconds. That beats the quickest 4 Series Gran Coupes by a few tenths and matches the Mercedes C43 AMG.

Undoubtedly this car feels immensely fast when you push it hard and the entertainment value from the V6 benefits from the Tiptronic gearbox, which is very smooth with its gear changes. The transmission is very compliant with however hard you decided to push the V6 while driving.

Ride and Handling

This Audi can mask its aggressive performance well when driven in a relaxed, casual manner

While the potent V6, sporty suspension set-up and lower ride height than the A5 encourages plenty of enthusiastic driving, this Audi can mask its aggressive performance well when driven in a relaxed, casual manner. Use the gas pedal gently and the V6 hardly makes any noise. It’s only when you start pushing beyond 2,000rpm that the car really shows its feistier side. There is more road noise from the tyres when compared to, say, a regular A5 on 17-inch wheels but the noise level from the S5’s 19-inch alloys is rarely likely to bother you. The steering is light but offers a lot of precision and enough feel to tackle corners with confidence, though some may be tempted to other German coupes to gain a more weighted set-up. But the sporty ride set-up hasn’t sacrificed much in the way of comfort though, as the car does a decent job dealing with all but the worst of the bumps and imperfections found on British roads. The ride is especially good if you get the optional £900 adaptive dampers.

Interior and Equipment

This latest S5 Sportback is the second-generation model from Audi. As is the case with the A5 it’s based on, the S5 was originally launched back in 2007.

The interior of the S5 Sportback is largely the same as its coupe counterpart. The exceptions of course are the two extra doors and some more rear cabin space thanks to the longer wheelbase. Because of the way the roofline slopes at the rear, headroom may still prove a little cramped for any six-footers in the back. But the Sportback’s rear is unquestionably more convenient to access and use than its Coupe counterpart, so this is the one to go for if you plan to have passengers in the back frequently. The quality of the cabin itself is top notch. The interior trims and seats are covered in classy, soft-touch materials and the controls are presented in a professional-looking manner. The extensive standard equipment list includes Audi’s Virtual Cockpit display, heated leather sports seats and a media device with sat-nav supported by an 8.3-inch high-resolution screen. Boot space is on par with BMW and Mercedes rivals at 480 litres as standard.

Cost

As is the case with many other German premium coupes, the S5’s options list is extensive but very costly and could add thousands of pounds to your purchase price.

Like the Coupe version, the latest Audi S5 Sportback starts pricing at £47,000. That does make it costlier than the 440i Gran Coupe by a few grand and the C43 AMG Saloon by just under a couple of grand. Fuel economy and CO2 emission figures for the S5 Sportback slot in somewhere between these two rivals. It officially records 37.7mpg combined and emits 170g/km. As is the case with many other German premium coupes, the S5’s options list is extensive but very costly and could add thousands of pounds to your purchase price. While we’d say the £900 adaptive dampers are worth a closer look, any other options seem questionable when you already get a decent amount of standard kit. Carefully consider how flexible your budget is before adding other options.

Our Verdict

If you want a gentle and reasonably practical premium coupe but also a feisty speed machine at the same time, then the Audi S5 Sportback can play either role in a convincing manner. Some may be tempted to other quick German executive cars because they’re a little cheaper or have more weighted steering, but the differences are minor really and there’s far more positive than negative you could say about this Audi. It’s luxurious, the drive is sharp and the V6 is a lot of fun. It’s a proper performance coupe which can adapt well to different driving situations.