TEST DRIVE: Audi S5 Sportback

There’s nothing like driving a purebred sports car that thrills you when you get an open stretch of road, but most of us wouldn’t want to drive a car like that every day.

We may like the idea of that, but comfort and practicality usually win out over speed thrills when it comes to the car we spend most of our time in.

The best daily drivers are those that are versatile – they’re fun to drive, look good and are quick, but they’re also comfortable and practical. Cars like the Audi S5 Sportback.

The Audi S5 Sportback is based on the A5, which started its lifecycle as a two-door coupe and convertible and then expanded into four-door Sportback models, which combines the practicality of a four-door with the rakish design cues of a coupe.

The hatchback design also adds to the practicality as it allows for more luggage space that’s easier to access than a trunk. Both the Coupe and Sportback lines have A5, S5 and RS 5 models, while the Convertible is available in A5 and S5 forms.

There are three different trim levels for the S5 Sportback that add features with each step up the ladder. Trim levels range from Premium ($55,800) to Premium Plus ($59,800) and Prestige ($64,200) at the top, which has features like laser lights, navigation and a heads-up display in addition to the features in the other trim levels.

It’s odd that there’s hardly any options available with the Premium trim, but a lot more when you move up to Premium Plus, including the S Sport Package ($2,500) that has a Sport rear differential and Sport adaptive damping. It would be nice if those performance options were available with the any trim level.

The S5 Sportback starts at $55,800 and falls between the A5 Sportback ($44,600) and RS 5 Sportback ($78,200) models. There’s a significant jump in performance from the A5 to the S5 models, as the A5 makes do with a turbocharged two-liter four cylinder that produces 201 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque, while the S5 is powered by a turbocharged three-liter V6 that delivers a potent 349 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque.

Zero-60 times drop from 6.4 seconds in the A5 to 4.5 seconds in the S5. The RS 5 model bumps power up to 444hp and 442 lb.-ft. of torque and drops the 0-60 run to 3.8 seconds.

The S5 Sportback has other performance upgrades, including six-piston front brakes with 13.8-inch rotors and 13-inch brakes at the rear paired with single-piston calipers.

An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission available on the car, and Quattro all-wheel drive is standard. Audi’s Drive Select menu allows the driver to tailor the car to their driving preference or to the road, with settings for throttle response, steering and engine sound. The optional S sport package includes a Sport rear differential and a Sport adaptive damping suspension.

The S5 Sportback is a great looking car in my opinion, both inside and out. It has attractive lines and design touches on the outside with a sporty appearance, and the hatch design is very functional and practical.

The seats in our car had Leather/Dinamica seating surfaces that resemble quilted leather, and they looked good and were supportive and comfortable. I also liked the textured surfaces on the steering wheel and the gear lever, and the ergonomics and displays were well executed.

The S5 Sportback we tested had the Prestige trim level but was without the S sport package. Those wanting the best performance spec from this car would probably choose that option, but the S5 was a very satisfying car to drive without it.

I wouldn’t really say this Audi has a “soulful” engine with lots of character, but it does pull hard and gets the S5 up to speed quickly, and the eight-speed transmission is smooth and shifts quickly.

The transmission was intuitive enough on its own that I rarely felt the need for shifting myself using the paddles.

Even without the adjustable suspension, the S5 Sportback is very well-balanced in the handling department, with settings that are a good compromise between comfort and responsiveness.

This was evident on a road trip from northwestern New Jersey to Boston, which included romps down some twisty back roads before getting on the interstate.

The S5 Sportback handled both with composure and was also well-damped and controlled on the downtown city streets in Boston.

As an all-around sports sedan, the S5 Sportback ticks all the right boxes. It has a very appealing design and has the practicality of having four doors and a hatch and it’s well built with a premium feel to it. It also strikes a great balance between performance and comfort, though it does lean more toward comfort without the adjustable suspension.

It’s fun to drive and handles well, and it’s quick with 349 hp under the hood but also gets 30mpg on the highway. Those who want ultimate performance may want to opt for the RS 5 Sportback, but the S5 Sportback could be the best all-around model in the A5/S5 lineup.