Audi S5

Which Audi S5 Version Should You Buy?

The Audi S5 version to choose depends on whether you prioritize the first generation’s 4.2 AT or 4.2 MT V8, the lower consumption and stronger torque of the second-generation 3.0 AT Diesel, the open-air Cabrio body, or the third-generation Sedan’s highest output and quickest acceleration.

The Audi S5 version to choose depends on whether you prioritize the first generation’s 4.2 AT or 4.2 MT V8, the lower consumption and stronger torque of the second-generation 3.0 AT Diesel, the open-air Cabrio body, or the third-generation Sedan’s highest output and quickest acceleration. Across the five catalogue entries—two generations with restylings plus the third generation—every version has AWD and a claimed top speed of 250 km/h. The largest differences concern body style, engine, transmission, acceleration, consumption, and weight.

Audi S5 generations and body styles

The first-generation Audi S5 Cabrio covers 2007–2012 and contains four versions. Its choices include the 3.0 S-tronic Gasoline model with 333 hp and the naturally aspirated 4.2 AT and 4.2 MT Gasoline versions with 354 hp. The 4.2 AT uses a 6-speed Automatic, while the 4.2 MT is the only 6-speed Manual version in the catalogue.

The first-generation restyling covers 2011–2017 and remains a Cabrio. Its three catalogue versions are all named 3.0 S-tronic and share 333 hp, 440 Nm, a 2,995 cc Gasoline engine, a 7-speed Robotic transmission, and AWD. Their listed differences include acceleration, consumption, tank capacity, kerb weight, gross weight, and production end date.

The second-generation Audi S5 Coupe covers 2016–2019 and offers five catalogue versions, all named 3.0 AT. The engine choice separates them clearly: 354 hp Gasoline versions produce 500 Nm, while 347 hp Diesel versions produce 700 Nm. Every second-generation version uses an 8-speed Automatic and AWD.

The second-generation restyling covers 2019–2024 and changes the listed body to Cabrio. It contains three versions, again all called 3.0 AT: one 354 hp Gasoline specification and two 347 hp Diesel specifications. The common hardware includes an 8-speed Automatic, AWD, independent spring suspension at both ends, and ventilated disc brakes at both ends.

The third-generation Audi S5 Sedan starts in 2024. Its two catalogue records have identical specifications: the 3.0 AT has 367 hp, 550 Nm, a 2,995 cc Gasoline engine, a 7-speed Automatic, and AWD. Because no specification differs between those two records, there is no numerical basis here for choosing one over the other.

Audi S5 engine specs and version comparison

Repeated version names are distinguished below by generation, body, fuel, and output.

The first-generation 4.2 AT and 4.2 MT produce about 85.0 hp per litre. The 333 hp 3.0 S-tronic produces about 111.2 hp per litre, the 347 hp Diesel 3.0 AT about 117.0 hp per litre, and the 354 hp Gasoline 3.0 AT about 118.2 hp per litre. The third-generation 3.0 AT reaches about 122.5 hp per litre, the highest figure calculated from these specifications.

For torque, the second-generation 347 hp Diesel 3.0 AT is the standout at 700 Nm. It has 200 Nm more than the 354 hp Gasoline 3.0 AT and 150 Nm more than the third-generation 3.0 AT. The third-generation version counters with 367 hp, which is 13 hp above the 354 hp Gasoline alternatives and 20 hp above the Diesel versions.

Audi S5 performance and fuel economy

The third-generation 3.0 AT is the quickest listed choice at 4.5 seconds to 100 km/h. It is 0.2 seconds quicker than the fastest second-generation 354 hp Gasoline Coupe and 0.3 seconds quicker than the fastest 347 hp Diesel versions.

For minimum combined consumption, choose a 347 hp Diesel 3.0 AT: both second-generation body phases list 6.2 L/100 km. That is 1.1 L/100 km below the most economical 354 hp Gasoline Coupe figure of 7.3 L/100 km and 1.7 L/100 km below the third-generation Sedan’s 7.9 L/100 km. City and highway figures for the third-generation 3.0 AT were not measured.

Audi S5 weight, clearance, tank, and wheel specs

The lightest listed cars are the first-generation 4.2 AT and 4.2 MT at 1,630 kg, closely followed by the lightest second-generation 354 hp Gasoline Coupe at 1,615 kg. That Coupe also gives the best listed weight-to-power result at about 4.56 kg per hp. The first-generation V8 versions are about 4.60 kg per hp, while the third-generation Sedan is about 5.35 kg per hp.

Only the second-generation Gasoline Coupe provides measured wheel sizes: 245/40 R18 and 255/35 R19. Wheel sizes for all other versions were not measured. Ground clearance is also not measured for the Diesel Coupe or third-generation Sedan; where recorded, it ranges from 120 mm to 148 mm.

Which Audi S5 version should you buy?

Choose the third-generation 3.0 AT Sedan if maximum catalogue performance matters most. Its 367 hp is the highest output here, its 4.5-second acceleration time is the quickest, and its 550 Nm exceeds every Gasoline predecessor by at least 50 Nm. The trade-offs visible in the data are its 1,965 kg kerb weight—the highest listed—and its 56 L tank—the smallest listed.

Choose a second-generation 3.0 AT Diesel with 347 hp if torque and consumption carry more weight in the decision. Its 700 Nm is the catalogue maximum, while 6.2 L/100 km combined is the catalogue minimum. The 4.8–4.9-second acceleration figures also make it quicker than most earlier alternatives.

Choose the second-generation 354 hp Gasoline 3.0 AT Coupe if you want the strongest power-to-weight case supported by the figures. At its lightest listed 1,615 kg specification, it carries about 4.56 kg per hp and reaches 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. It also offers the only measured wheel choices in the data, 245/40 R18 and 255/35 R19.

Choose the first-generation 4.2 MT if the Manual transmission is the deciding requirement, or the 4.2 AT if an Automatic is preferred with the same 354 hp and 440 Nm. The 4.2 MT’s 12.4 L/100 km combined consumption is 1.6 L/100 km higher than the 4.2 AT’s 10.8 L/100 km, although it reaches 100 km/h 0.3 seconds sooner. No price or sale data is provided, so value for money cannot be calculated; the defensible choice must rest on the recorded body style, drivetrain, performance, consumption, and weight.