Skip advert
Advertisement

New Audi S5 Sportback 2020 review

The Audi S5 Sportback’s switch to an advanced diesel engine has resulted in a fast and relaxed drive

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Audi S5
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Verdict

Styling changes and some worthwhile tech upgrades are integrated well with a huge change for the S5 Sportback’s powertrain. It’s a fast, relaxed and well equipped premium model that has quality at its heart, but also balances performance from a strong, advanced engine with rationality in terms of its efficiency. The handling is sure-footed, but we just wish the ride was a little more forgiving.

Advertisement - Article continues below

A quick glance at the new Audi S5 Sportback might have you thinking it’s nothing more than a light makeover on the outside and a new infotainment system grafted to the dash. But you’d be wrong, quite wrong.

While those things are undoubtedly true, underneath the big, five-door hatchback’s striking, sharply styled new skin lie a lot of impressively detailed engineering changes In its simplest form, the old S5 was a petrol, but this new car is now a diesel.

It uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6, with new Electric Powered Compressor (EPC) tech. That means a small electric motor ramps up the turbo’s compressor wheel to 65,000rpm in just 300 milliseconds.

These figures will be indecipherable to many, but what we can tell you is that it gives the big, gutsy engine impressively sharp response to your demands with the accelerator at low revs. At higher revs the variable-geometry turbo works as normal, being driven by the exhaust gas, for lots of smooth performance.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Civic Tourer

2015 Honda

Civic Tourer

23,617 milesAutomaticPetrol1.8L

Cash £12,178
View Civic Tourer
Astra

2023 Vauxhall

Astra

11,209 milesAutomaticDiesel1.5L

Cash £21,199
View Astra
EcoSport

2019 Ford

EcoSport

16,963 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,495
View EcoSport
Grandland X

2020 Vauxhall

Grandland X

45,973 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £10,495
View Grandland X

With 342bhp and a whopping 700Nm of torque, when the S5 climbs on boost – which it does, quickly – it romps forward. The 0-62mph sprint takes 4.9 seconds, which is an impressive stat in itself, but the car’s in-gear acceleration and mid-speed flexibility are really where the main thrust of the performance lies.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Applying new technologies such as EPC to the traditional turbodiesel engine proves there’s life in this form of propulsion yet. It’s also been partly facilitated by a switch to a new 48-volt electrical system, meaning the S5 is a mild hybrid.

Combined with a small 0.5kWh lithium-ion battery in the boot, the belt alternator starter helps take a little bit of load off the engine in certain situations for improved efficiency. Between 34mph and 99mph, the engine can completely shut down, and the car can coast for up to 40 seconds.

However, there are a few aspects of the S5 Sportback’s repertoire that leave a little to be desired. On the whole, the ride is fine. The £1,000 Sport Suspension’s adaptive dampers contain the car’s body over big, rolling undulations well in Comfort mode. But over sharper bumps, the ride shows just an edge of harshness.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

On the motorway, the S5 feels settled and stable, while on country roads there’s agility and iron-rod precision (helped by the sport differential and Dynamic Power Steering options – the latter means it turns quickly when you’re in Dynamic mode) that’s surprising from a performance-focused model that’s not a full-on Audi Sport RS product. With quattro four-wheel drive, there’s plenty of security too.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Inside, carbon-fibre inlays add a touch of sportiness to the exemplary level of quality we’ve come to expect from Audi’s interiors. Meanwhile, the overhauled and enlarged 10.1-inch touchscreen and even sharper graphics for the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital dash mean this is one of the most tech-focused cabins in this sector.

The MMI system responds quickly, offers lots of functionality and smartphone connectivity – with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless charging as standard – while the screen resolution is great.

Despite the tapering roofline and narrower glasshouse that give the S5 Sportback its trademark look, there’s still enough head and legroom in the rear, while the 430-litre boot is generous, if not massive. One major plus point, though, is that the Sportback’s huge hatch means loading is easy.

At £53,625, the S5 Sportback isn’t cheap, but that’s the price you pay for style. Focus on the tangible factors – the impressive list of standard kit, the easily accessible performance blended with strong economy, and the solidity with which the car drives – and it’s easier to rationalise.

Model:Audi S5 Sportback 
Price:£53,625
Engine:3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel
Power/torque:342bhp/700Nm
Transmission:Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
0-62mph:4.9 seconds
Top speed:155mph
Economy:40.4mpg
CO2:183g/km
On saleNow
Skip advert
Advertisement

Sean’s been writing about cars since 2010, having worked for outlets as diverse as PistonHeads, MSN Cars, Which? Cars, Race Tech – a specialist motorsport publication – and most recently Auto Express and sister titles Carbuyer and DrivingElectric. 

New & used car deals

Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £3,158 off RRP*
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,935 off RRP*Used from £13,135
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,921 off RRP*Used from £8,886
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,795 off RRP*Used from £11,800
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

New BMW M235 2025 review: is it a proper M car?
BMW M235i - front tracking

New BMW M235 2025 review: is it a proper M car?

Road tests
23 May 2025
New Aston Martin Vanquish 2025 review: a proper British bruiser
Aston Martin Vanquish - front tracking

New Aston Martin Vanquish 2025 review: a proper British bruiser

Road tests
11 Apr 2025
Porsche 911 review
Porsche 911 - main image

Porsche 911 review

In-depth reviews
21 Mar 2025

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 grant for new EVs sold
News
15 Jul 2025