2019 Audi S5
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.0L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 21 / 30 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,400 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 371 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Body Style | Coupe |
| Base Price | $47,940–$63,628 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2019 Audi S5 is a coupe that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.7/10, while Reliability at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.5/10 for reliability, this coupe trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.9/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.7/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining coupes to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.4/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $47,940–$63,628, 19 MPG, seating 4, the Audi S5 sits in the premium tier of the coupe category. The value score of 6.6/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2019 Audi S5 will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on value and reliability if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good coupe should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2019 Audi S5 ranks #60 of 110 coupes in the Carivo database — better than 46% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $47,940 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $47,314.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Coupe ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2016 Audi S5 scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.5 — and starts roughly $5,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.8/10 | $58,092 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $58,092 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $56,400 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $54,708 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $53,016 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.6/10 | $51,324 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $49,632 | Read review → |
| 2019 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $47,940 | |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $46,248 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $44,556 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.5/10 | $42,864 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $41,172 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Tires 26/01/2022 · 22V034000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet,… |
|---|---|
| Suspension / Rear / Axle / Non-powered axle assembly 26/04/2021 · 21V295000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan,… |
| Seats 10/11/2021 · 21V874000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2017-2020 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, 2018-2019 RS5 Coupe, 2019 RS5 Sportback, 2018-2020 A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, and Audi S5 Sportback vehicles. The… |
| Suspension / Front / Shock absorber 20/02/2019 · 19V114000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019 Q7, Q8, S5 Cabriolet, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The front shock absorber forks may develop cracks allowing the shock absorbers to loosen. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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