Audi S5 Sportback

The 2025 Audi S5 Sportback is powered by a formidable 3.0-litre V6 TFSI (Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection) petrol engine, a true powerhouse that delivers exhilarating performance. This engine churns out 349.15 bhp (354 PS) of power at 5400-6400 rpm and a robust 500 Nm of torque at 1370-4500 rpm. 

The engine is paired with a smooth and quick-shifting 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and Audi's Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system. This allows for a blistering 0-100 kmph acceleration in just 4.8 seconds. The S5 Sportback boasts an electronically governed top speed of 250 kmph. 

The engine delivers immediate throttle response with virtually no turbo lag, a pleasing exhaust note, and strong, linear power delivery throughout the rev range, making it an incredibly engaging car to drive. Fuel efficiency is around 8.8 kmpl (ARAI).

Ride and Handling

The 2025 Audi S5 Sportback is engineered to deliver a dynamic and engaging ride and handling experience that perfectly balances its sporty performance with everyday usability. It features an S-specific sport suspension system as standard, which provides a more direct connection with the road and aggressive handling characteristics. While it doesn't have adaptive dampers, its suspension setup is well-tuned to offer a controlled and composed ride, even during enthusiastic driving.

The electric power steering is precise and offers good feedback, making the S5 Sportback agile and confidence-inspiring through corners. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system provides exceptional grip and traction, ensuring optimal power delivery and stability in various road conditions. 

The car feels planted and stable at high speeds, and body roll is well-controlled. Despite its sporty nature, the S5 Sportback manages to absorb most road imperfections reasonably well, making it comfortable enough for daily commuting and long-distance touring. The Audi Drive Select system allows drivers to customize throttle response and steering feel to suit their preferences.

The interior of the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback is a masterclass in driver-focused luxury and advanced technology, meticulously crafted to complement its sporty nature. The cabin features a clean, minimalist design with a strong emphasis on ergonomics. High-quality materials abound, including premium Alcantara/leather combination upholstery with "S" embossing, brushed aluminum or carbon fibre inlays, and piano black accents, creating a sporty yet opulent ambiance.

The cockpit is designed to immerse the driver, with a low seating position and highly supportive electrically adjustable sport seats that offer 4-way lumbar support. The cabin offers comfortable seating for five occupants, with decent legroom in the rear. However, the sloping roofline might slightly compromise rear headroom for very tall passengers.

 Key features include a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit (digital instrument cluster) that offers S-specific performance displays and customizable views. Creature comforts include three-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, ambient and contour lighting, wireless charging, and a Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System. Boot space is a practical 465-480 litres, enhanced by the convenient liftback tailgate.

Infotainment

The infotainment system in the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback is cutting-edge, featuring Audi's advanced MMI Navigation Plus with MMI touch. The central touchscreen measures 10.1 inches and is highly responsive, with crisp graphics and intuitive menus. The system is user-friendly and offers a host of connectivity options.

The 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit serves as the digital instrument cluster, offering a wide array of customizable views, including full-screen navigation, performance meters, and S-specific graphics that provide real-time data. The system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. 

Audi's voice control system allows for natural language commands to operate various vehicle functions. A premium Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 19 speakers delivers an immersive audio experience, perfectly complementing the car's dynamic capabilities. Additional features include a head-up display (optional), wireless phone charging, and multiple charging ports.

The exterior design of the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback is characterized by its sleek, flowing lines and a distinctive coupe-like silhouette that sets it apart from traditional sedans. The Sportback design features a gracefully sloping roofline that integrates seamlessly into the rear, giving it a dynamic and elegant appearance. 

The front fascia boasts Audi's Singleframe grille, often with a sporty honeycomb pattern and S-specific design elements. Sharp LED headlights with dynamic turn signals and large air inlets contribute to its aggressive yet sophisticated look.

The side profile is accentuated by strong character lines, frameless windows, and muscular wheel arches that house stylish alloy wheels, typically 19-inch. The "S" model bumpers and exterior mirror housings in aluminum look further distinguish it. 

The rear design is equally striking, with sleek LED taillights connected by a light strip, an integrated rear spoiler, and dual oval exhaust tips, clearly signaling its performance credentials. Its dimensions are approximately 4765 mm in length, 1845 mm in width, and 1390 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2825 mm.

Safety is a paramount consideration in the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback, which is engineered with a robust platform and a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety features. While specific crash test ratings for the 2025 model in India might not be independently published, the S5 Sportback benefits from the strong ratings of its global counterparts (e.g., typically receiving high marks in frontal and side crash tests).

The S5 Sportback is equipped with 8 airbags (driver, passenger, side, and curtain airbags) as standard, providing extensive passive protection. Active safety features include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control (TC), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Vehicle Stability Control System. 

It also boasts essential driver-assistance systems such as front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, and ISOFIX child seat mounts. Features like speed alert and speed-sensing auto door lock further enhance safety.

The 2025 Audi S5 Sportback operates in a niche segment of performance-oriented luxury sedans and coupes in India, facing off against a select group of rivals.

Its primary competitors include the BMW M340i and the Mercedes-AMG C43. The BMW M340i offers a similar blend of performance and luxury with its inline-six engine and strong dynamics. The Mercedes-AMG C43 also provides a sporty driving experience with its own unique blend of luxury and performance. 

Other indirect rivals could include the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe (a coupe-SUV) and potentially higher-end variants of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The S5 Sportback differentiates itself with its distinctive Sportback design, Audi's signature Quattro all-wheel drive, and a focus on balanced performance and everyday usability.

The 2025 Audi S5 Sportback is a highly compelling offering for those seeking a luxury car that seamlessly blends sporty performance with practical everyday usability and distinctive styling. Its potent 3.0-litre V6 TFSI engine delivers exhilarating acceleration and a rewarding driving experience, complemented by the sure-footed grip of Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive. The interior is a highlight, offering premium materials, advanced technology, and a comfortable, driver-focused cabin.

While its price positions it firmly in the premium segment, the S5 Sportback justifies the investment with its unique design, comprehensive features, and Audi's renowned build quality and engineering. For buyers in India who desire a stylish, high-performance vehicle that can also serve as a comfortable daily driver, the 2025 Audi S5 Sportback is an excellent and highly desirable choice, offering a perfect harmony of power, elegance, and practicality.