S5 Sportback Stands Out Above the Rest on the Road
Looking fast just standing still, S5 Sportback impresses with its balance of performance, luxury, technology and styling.
Interested in the S5, but need a couple of extra doors to easily accommodate the family? The S5 Sportback is the answer, and then some. Not only do you get those two extra doors, but a fifth one out back to handily drop in all that life offers. Bring that door down, and you’ve got a sloping roofline contributing to the overall sportiness of the styling.
That’s just the beginning, though. Overdrive‘s Areeb Sherwani recently spent some time with the S5 Sportback to see if it delivers more than just looks.
“‘Looking fast standing still.’ It’s a phrase so overused that I can’t help rolling my eyes every time I heard it,” said Sherwani. “And yet, looking at this Audi S5 Sportback, I can’t help but think, ‘Yes, indeed it does look really fast standing still.’ In fact, it looks so fast that Audi hasn’t given [the paint] any fancy-pants name, like ‘Azure This’ or ‘Regal That’ or ‘Sublime This’ or ‘Magnetic That.’ It is just called Turbo Blue. They aren’t beating around the bush, are they?”
Though its kept its overall shape for some time, the 2021 S5 Sportback received a makeover to keep things fresh. The biggest feature is the big honeycomb grille with silver accents, plus aluminum shrouds for the fog lamps, and the matrix LED headlights with dynamic turn signals. A new set of 19-inch alloys replace the 18-inchers the Audi originally had, and a subtle “large” rear spoiler ties the styling all together.
“The inside suddenly doesn’t feel very turbo,” said Sherwani. “In fact, it feels very understated compared to what you see outside. It’s almost like the car you bought inside is not the same one that is there on the outside.”
Though subtle and a bit long in the tooth, the S5 Sportback’s interior is still a nice place to be within. The seating’s Alcantara and leather mix give a shout to both the chiller A5 and hardcore RS 5 Sportback models. And speaking of the seating, the driver receives tons of adjustability for maximum comfort. Meanwhile, the rear bench better accommodates smaller frames, though Sherwani still has plenty of leg room for his tall frame. Headroom, however, can be a drawback for tall people due to the sloping rear.
“One of the key highlights of the driving experience is the engine note from the V6,” said Sherwani. “It has this nice throaty growl that, while it never gets really loud, it’s enough to keep you entertained.”
It also handles well, thanks to the rear-biased Quattro system. Combined with the grippy Bridgestone Potenzas, the S5 Sportback lives up to the name when entering and exiting a given corner. As Sherwani says, the Audi is easy to drive fast, and is the perfect option for those upgrading to a more performance-oriented sedan with tons of practicality. In short, it’s the perfect grand tourer.
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