carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.0L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 20 / 28 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,550 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 380 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 4 passengers |
| Body Style | Coupe |
| Base Price | $51,324–$62,414 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 Audi S5 at 7.6/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this coupe. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 9.0/10, while Value 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. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.5/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 8.2/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 9.0/10. The Audi S5 delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. The cabin tech earns 8.5/10 — infotainment, smartphone integration, and driver-assistance are all close to the best this class offers.
Priced from $51,324–$62,414, 21 MPG, seating 4, the Audi S5 sits in the premium tier of the coupe category. The value score of 6.5/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 Audi S5 is a solid, well-rounded coupe that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is reliability and value — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 2021 Audi S5 ranks #42 of 110 coupes in the Carivo database — better than 63% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $51,324 starting price is about 8% above 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 2018 Audi S5 scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.6 — 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 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $51,324 | |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $49,632 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $47,940 | Read review → |
| 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.
| Seat belts / Rear/other / Retractor 05/08/2021 · 21V606000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8,… |
|---|---|
| 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,… |
| Exterior lighting / Tail lights 25/11/2020 · 20V737000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Audi RS5 Sportback, 2020-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, and S5 Sportback vehicles. The wiring harness for the rear lights could be missing the anti-abrasion protection in the area of the spare… |
| 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,… |
| Back over prevention / Display function 05/10/2022 · 22V742000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2021 Audi S5's reliability 6.5/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.6/10 overall, ranking #42 of 110 coupes in our database (better than 63% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 Audi S5 starts at $51,324 and ranges up to $62,414 across trims (MSRP when new). At 21 MPG, expect roughly $2,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.