Does It Live Up To The Legacy?

DRIVING – PROPER FAST, BUT ON THE REFINED SIDE

On paper, this new S5 offers slight gains in power and torque over the outgoing B9 model, but also carries more weight. Audi claims a 0–100km time that’s 0.2s quicker, thanks largely to the return of the dual-clutch transmission and its aggressive launch control. But in everyday driving, it doesn’t feel significantly faster. It’s quick, sure, and overtaking and on-ramps are handled with ease - but there's little in the way of neck-snapping thrills or visceral engagement. It feels very smooth. Almost too smooth. That said, it's still fun to build up pace and if you get the RPM just right it can push you back in your seat if you want it to. Handling is much the same. Very capable. Very predictable. Very smooth. All the hallmarks of an Audi A or S product, and if that's what you like, you'll like this too.

DUAL-CLUTCH IS BACK! 

When Audi replaced the dual clutch "S tronic" in the B8 generation with a ZF torque converter in the B9, many enthusiasts mourned the loss of sharp, snappy shifts. After a while, those same enthusiasts came to appreciate the ZF and its improved reliability and low-speed manners. Now, the dual-clutch is back again... and we were excited to test it. The shifts are quick, but it doesn’t quite bring back the instant bite and drama of the B8 generation's example. It’s a decent transmission, but it stops short of feeling special. Similar to the engine dynamics, the transmission seems tuned more for luxury and comfort than sporty driving.

SINGLE-PISTON BRAKES – A QUIET COMPROMISE

Audi has quietly moved to single-piston calipers front and rear. For most drivers, this will go unnoticed - stopping distances are unaffected, and pedal modulation feels natural. However, under heavier use (think track days), they may be more susceptible to fade. Visually, the smaller calipers are noticeable, but from behind the wheel, you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference in everyday driving. I wouldn't normally use a whole section of a review dedicated to this, but it seems nobody else is talking about it. So there you go.

"It's not changing the game, but it keeps the game going (and it's a good game if you want a balanced daily driver)."

MILD HYBRID SYSTEM – IT EVENS ITSELF OUT

The mild hybrid system (MHEV+) enables low-speed electric-only movement, some regenerative braking, and small efficiency gains. You can coast silently out of your driveway, which is cool, but the trade-off is added weight and complexity. It neither revolutionizes the drive nor harms it. Ultimately, it feels like a net-neutral change that exists more for emissions standards than enthusiast appeal.

SOUND – LESS THEATRICS, MORE RESTRAINT

This generation dials down the drama. The exhaust note inside the cabin is more muted than before, and there are fewer burbles or pops to enjoy. In a car that already feels on the clinical side at times, this lack of sonic personality is a miss for me. It has a nice tone, but at least give us the option to turn up the volume of piped-in engine noise for the unruly of us. As for the sound system, it's much the same as previous gens Bang & Olufsen offerings: loud, clear, but sometimes lacking in deep bass.

EXTERIOR STYLING – BIGGER, SOFTER, AND APPRECIATING OVER TIME

The new S5 is longer, wider, and taller than the B9 -nearly A6-sized in length and RS4-wide. That gives it serious road presence. The rear end looks sharp with its new light bar, and the new flush door handles are an interesting flourish. I'm not so sure on the fang-like elements in the front bumper, though. But on the whole, the design grew on me more and more over time. The B9 generation was the same upon launch - many preferred the B8 styling, but then came to appreciate the B9 over time. The B10 is the same, but we'll get to the "appreciation" phase much faster this time.

INTERIOR – THE BIG CHANGES ARE HERE. SO ARE THE BIG SCREENS

The cabin feels solid and high quality, especially in the places you touch. But the new panoramic screen dominates the dash, leaving less room for the thoughtful design flourishes that defined previous generations. The updated steering wheel design grew on me, though the horn pad feels cheap and scratchy. The physical controls (on the wheel and door panel) feel like a downgrade. Imagine one big panel that you press on different angles to mimic a "button". The optional passenger screen is more novelty than necessity, but my wife loved it. The big win for me is the seats. Incredibly supportive, beautifully finished — 10/10. All in all, the interior feels well-built and premium, with a few niggles that could be ironed out in the facelift.

VERDICT - ARE YOU SEEING A PATTERN HERE?

Everything about the new S5 seems more tuned for refinement and luxury. The 2025 S5 B10 is a safe evolution rather than a bold leap. It’s comfortable, composed, and beautifully built. It's a luxury-leaning sports coupe that’s easy to live with. But by leaning more this way, it doesn’t stir up as much emotion as the older models did (it's missing the supercharged thrill of the B8, or the exhaust-popping sound of the B9). If you want refinement and pace, the B10 S5 is a great choice. If you want more sporty, dynamic driving - hold out for the RS5.