2026 Audi S5 hatchback will compete with real sedans like the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class in 2026. It will be available for purchase in the spring or early summer of next year, and the starting price will be about $55,000.
Audi’s proposal to simplify its portfolio includes giving gasoline-powered cars odd numbers (A3, A5, A7, etc.) and electric cars even numbers (A4, A6, etc.). It might be easy to understand in committee meetings, but it’s a little hard to follow right now. This is a stylish, unique, and sportier option to the Audi Q5 or SQ5 SUVs.
The S5 will be joined by the less expensive A5 when it goes on sale. However, Audi asked the media to drive the US-spec vehicle in southern France, but it wasn’t available for testing at that time. The A5 features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 268 horsepower. The S5 has a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine that makes 362 horsepower.
Audi’s S models have always struck a good mix between being sporty and useful for everyday use. If you want something more forceful, wait for the RS 5 version, which should be out in a year or two. The S5 seems elegant and classy, like German simplicity.
- The Audi S5 in 2026 will take the place of the existing S4 sedan and S5 Sportback.
- Audi calls the S5 a sedan, but it’s really a Sportback with a motorised rear tailboard.
- This beautiful cabin is pleasant and has a lot of innovation.
- In the middle of 2025, the S5 model will be available in the US.
2026 Audi S5 Reviews
The 2026 Audi S5 is a sportier version of the A5 that comes with more horsepower, thorough chassis tuning, and the performance model’s usual cosmetic extras.
The 362-hp turbo V-6 engine gives the car almost 100 more horsepower than the A5. The brakes are bigger and grip better, and the 19-inch wheels with 245/40 tires are standard instead of the A5’s 18-inch wheels.
The S5 and A5 are only available as four-door cars, which can be perplexing because they have liftback bodies instead of regular trunks. The Sportback, which had a trunk, was omitted from the 2025 lineup’s facelift along with the S5 and A5 coupes and convertibles and the associated A4 four-door sedan.
The four-door liftback body style has taken over everything else. The S5, on the other hand, has better performance in a sleek, understated vehicle with a clean interior and simple design.
What’s New
The Audi S5 from 2026 is still the same. The four-door liftback sedan is now the only S5 you can buy. The previous generation’s coupe, convertible, and Sportback were all marketed alongside the new S5 during 2025 and are no longer available.
2026 Audi S5 Specs
- EPA MPG 22 Combined,
- All-Wheel Drive Drivetrain,
- Gas Powertrain, 5 Seats,
- 4-Year/50,000-Mile Limited Warranty,
2026 Audi S5 Interior
Audi has been the best at making the inside of cars in this price range for decades. The new S5 is still a pleasant and stylish place to be, and it looks a lot like the 2025 Audi Q5 that will be coming out soon. The 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen and the 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel stand out.
Passengers in the front seat can choose to have their own 10.9-inch touchscreen that can even play movies if they want to be alone. This screen has a unique covering that keeps the driver from being distracted while driving.
Everything works perfectly, and if you choose, you can use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to connect your phone to the car. The entire atmosphere suits Audi’s high-end image, yet there are signs that the company is slashing costs.
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It’s strange that the unnecessary smartphone container doesn’t have a cover and that there is hard, shiny plastic around the center console. The touchscreen and its glossy black plastic surface also make it easy for fingerprints to stick to it.
The leather and synthetic sport seats have diamond-stitched seams and basic heating, which makes them comfortable and supportive at the same time. The organization of the controls and instruments is classic Audi style: neat and straightforward. The digital tachometer could use a bigger display, though.
The 2025 update added an inch of legroom to the second row, making the back seats comfortable for two adults. But when a third person joins, the space gets really cramped. Special HVAC controls and vents in the back let those in the back seat set the temperature to what they want.
There is 37 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the S5’s back seats are down. When the seats are in place, there is just 22 cubic feet of cargo space. The liftback design is good since it makes it easier to get to the cargo compartment.
Tech
The 2026 Audi S5 has a standard 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and a center touchscreen that is 14.5 inches wide and slopes softly toward the driver. You can even get a third 10.9-inch screen that is positioned on the dashboard for the front-seat passenger to utilize.
A big head-up display is also an option. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and you can choose a 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound as an extra.
- 14.5-inch touchscreen for infotainment (standard), 10.9-inch touchscreen for passengers (optional)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Audio System: 10-speaker stereo is standard, and a 20-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo is available as an option.
Storage
The 2026 A5 sedan is 2.6 inches longer, 0.5 inches wider, and 0.9 inches taller than the present A4. It also has a 2.7-inch longer wheelbase, which gives those in the back additional legroom.
This is a good automobile for four or five people, but it’s still a small car by US standards, so the back seat is more than enough room. Two persons who are up to 183 cm tall can sit next to each other, however it’s a bit tight.
The hatchback back not only makes the car look athletic, but it also makes it more useful. The trunk is really big, and you can split and fold down the back seats to make room for big things.
2026 Audi S5 Engine
The 2026 Audi S5 has a turbocharged V6 engine that makes 362 horsepower. A dual-clutch automatic transmission that responds quickly is standard, as is all-wheel drive. The V-6 engine sounds smooth, and when you choose Dynamic mode, it gives you a little extra power.
There are also Comfort and Balanced driving modes. The handling and ride comfort are about the same, and the top-of-the-line Prestige model has an adjustable suspension that makes the car more agile.
In C/D testing, the S5 went a quarter mile in 12.5 seconds and stopped from 70 mph in a very short 150 feet. We thought the S5 had good grip, but the steering feel and input weren’t very good.
The S5 doesn’t have the same sharpness as the BMW M3, but it performs well in its class and is easy to drive every day.
- Engine: a 3.0-liter V-6 with a turbocharger that makes 362 horsepower.
- 7-speed automatic transmission
- All-wheel drive is the drivetrain.
Performance
The manner the S5 drives also shows this. The sporty engine sound is interesting but not too loud, and it feels fast without being too fast, especially when compared to electric cars like the Tesla Model 3 Performance.
Audi says that the 0-62 mph time is 4.5 seconds, which is longer than the 0-60 mph time we saw in the Tesla, which was 3.0 seconds.
The S5 is definitely fast enough, though, outside of the test track. The engine also works nicely with the seven-speed automatic transmission that incorporates Audi’s dual-clutch technology. You can shift gears one at a time with the steering wheel paddles, or you can let the transmission do its job.
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Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive technology is standard on the 2026 Audi S5. Along the French Riviera, my test route went via multiple mountain passes. The rain and muck made the road conditions even harder.
In these kinds of situations, all-wheel drive adds a lot of safety and should work well in snowy American weather, especially when used with winter tires.
The whole car makes you feel safe. The steering is light yet accurate, and the brakes work well. The ride quality is also great for a sporty car; it combines smooth comfort with precise control. This automobile is comfy and good at driving long distances.
2026 Audi S5 MPG
The EPA hasn’t given out fuel efficiency numbers for the 2026 S5 yet, but the 2025 model got 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the interstate, and 22 mpg overall. We don’t expect the S5’s fuel economy numbers to alter because there won’t be any improvements in 2026.
- 33 mpg on the C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test
- EPA City Rating: 19 miles per gallon
- 28 miles per gallon on the highway according to the EPA
Safety
Audi offers a lot of standard and optional driver aid systems for all trim levels of the S5 series
- Standard safety features include automated emergency braking in the front and back and monitoring of blind spots with a rear cross traffic alarm.
- Optional safety features include a 360-degree view camera and adaptive cruise control.
2026 Audi S5 Price
The price of the 2026 Audi S5 ranges from $64,595 to $72,195, depending on the specification and options.
For a very reasonable extra expense over the base Premium trim, we recommend the mid-range Premium Plus trim. It includes adaptive cruise control, a heads-up display, Bang & Olufsen premium music, a 360-view monitor, and a few other modifications.
- Premium $64,595
- Premium Plus $67,495
- Prestige $72,195
Price in Australia
Earlier this year, the new Audi S5 came to Australia. It comes in Sedan and Avant variants. We tried it out in the Edition One sedan, which Audi utilized to launch the vehicle in the local market and is the less expensive version. The sedan costs AU$99,900 ($66,000) and the Avant costs AU$102,900 ($68,000).
The normal S5 Sedan and Avant variants cost AU$114,900 ($75,900) and AU$117,900 ($77,900), respectively. The Edition One variant seems like a suitable choice for people who don’t have a lot of money to spend.
Price in Canada
There are three trim levels for the 2026 Audi S5. The MSRP in Canada is between $70,950 and $79,800. The 3.0L V-6 gasoline engine in the entry-level TFSI quattro S tronic variant costs $70,950 Canadian dollars. The MSRP for the mid-range TFSI quattro Progressiv S tronic trim is $75,600. The TFSI quattro Technik S tronic is the most costly model in the series, costing $79,800 Canadian dollars. The delivery and PDI fee, which some brands name destination or freight charges, is $2,850 Canadian dollars. However, this fee can change according on the province and dealer.
- 2026 audi s5 TFSI quattro S tronic $70,950
- 2026 audi s5 TFSI quattro Progressiv S tronic $75,600
- 2026 Audi S5 TFSI quattro Technik S tronic $79,800
2026 Audi S5 Release Dates
The 2026 Audi S5 is now available in your favorite showroom.
Verdict
The 2026 Audi S5 may be a dramatic departure from its predecessor, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less appealing. The hybrid drivetrain takes some getting used to, but it’s undeniably effective, delivering exceptional performance that makes it a joy to drive at any speed.
However, it’s not the engine that’s the real draw of this model; it’s its graceful and responsive handling. While some aspects of the new S5’s interior still need improvement, it ticks all the boxes for an S5.
2026 Audi S5 is a sporty liftback that combines smooth performance, high-end technology, and everyday usefulness in a great way. With a 362-hp turbo V6 engine and Quattro all-wheel drive, it has competent handling, sophisticated technology, and a high-quality cabin that can compete with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
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