2011 Audi S5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Write a review

$53,650 to $64,950

Original MSRP

--

expert review

4.2

avg user rating

(13 reviews)
2011 Audi S5 Preview summaryImage

The Audi S5 represents a pleasant blend of sport touring luxury, seemingly without sacrificing much of any one factor. Immediately identifiable from their tamer brethren, the “S” models all share several features, such as Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD), LED lights surrounding front and rear lamps, and the distinctive vertical emphasis lines in the front grille. Given the sport focus of the S models, Audi was kind enough to provide an AWD system that shifts the balance to the rear, providing a 40/60 front-to-rear power distribution, a nice blend of stability and traditional sport feel.

And a lot of that sport feel can be attributed to the powerful engines offered in this two-door coupe or convertible, each with its own distinct powerplant. The S5 Coupe gets the same direct-injection 4.2-liter V8 that can be found in the RS4 and R8, although slightly detuned to produce 354 hp instead of the 420 horses put out in RS4 and R8 applications. Torque is actually increased here in the S5, however, with 325 lb-ft instead of 317. Regardless of the horsepower loss, the 4.2-liter engine is a precise piece of engineering that is crude in neither output nor delivery. It comes with the option of two six-speed transmissions, and the automatic is clearly the better choice here. When paired with the manual, the 4.2 can return an EPA-estimated 14/22 mpg, but with the automatic those numbers bump up to 16/24. More importantly, the manual has a lengthy throw and sloppy operation that robs most of the enjoyment from its 4.9-second 0-60 capability. The automatic offers no such shortcomings, if you don’t mind letting the car do all the work for you.

The Cabriolet trim gets its own engine, which is just as potent. Instead of a V8, the Cabriolet is powered by a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that produces 333 hp down at only 5,500 rpm. Its torque matches the 4.2's at 325, but arrives 600 rpm sooner, at 2,900. It doesn’t have the immediate power of the V8, but there’s plenty to spare once the supercharger winds up, and its seven-speed automated manual transmission is by far the best of the bunch in operation, fun, and fuel economy, returning 17/26. Truthfully, it’s a shame those choosing the Coupe don’t get the option of at least this transmission, if not the 3.0-liter engine. The seven-speed is silky, quick, and efficient.

For the cars it competes with, the S5 offers similar and often superior performance, increased practicality, and a lower price than most. This certainly explains why so many reviewers have named it a best in class. It may not have the immediate visual capital and name recognition of a Porsche or a Mercedes, but you’re too smart to fall for marketing, right?

Michael Perkins
Published May 31, 2022 by Michael Perkins
A CarGurus contributor since 2008, Michael started his career writing about cars with the SCCA - winning awards during his time as editor of Top End magazine. Since then, his journalistic travels have taken him from NY to Boston to CA, completing a cross-country tour on a restored vintage Suzuki. While his preference is for fine German automobiles - and the extra leg room they so often afford - his first automobile memories center around impromptu Mustang vs. Corvette races down the local highway, in the backseat of his father's latest acquisition.

User reviews for 2011 Audi S5

Write a review
User rating:
by Dave P
Jan 30, 2024
Good value.. A very solid and well built performance Audi. Jan 30, 2024
by Roger C
Oct 04, 2023
It’s a really nice car! Being a convertible of the type that it is, a hard top convertible makes it special in itself. The mileage is a little high however a lesser price would help that. Oct 04, 2023
by Devin C
May 02, 2023
I love this car. I’ve been searching for it for months, and lucked up on a good deal for the perfect car. I couldn’t be happier.May 02, 2023

2011 Audi S5 Pricing

Original MSRP
$53,650 to $64,950
Price range
N/A
Average price on CG
N/A
YoY price change
N/A

Trims & specs

Air Conditioning

Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 505 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 13.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power rear seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.52 · Limited slip differential: center · Locking differential: front

Engine

Alternator: 280 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: aluminum · Paint: pearl · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: remote operation

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 16.3

Suspension

Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated

Tires

Diameter: 19 · Type: performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 15

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse

Air Conditioning

Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Side airbags: front with head protection chambers

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 180 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.3 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power rear seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.89 · Limited slip differential: center · Locking differential: center

Engine

Alternator: 140 amps

Exterior Features

Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: aluminum · Paint: pearl · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: perforated · Ventilated: front

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 16.3

Suspension

Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated

Tires

Diameter: 19 · Type: performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

Air Conditioning

Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Hard Drive: 40GB · In-Dash CD: DVD · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 505 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 13.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: front center · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power rear seat · Memorized settings: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Sunshade: power rear window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.52 · Limited slip differential: center · Locking differential: rear

Engine

Alternator: 280 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: aluminum · Paint: pearl · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: chrome

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in. · Video monitor location: front · Video monitor size: 7

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Moonroof: sliding sunshade

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 16.3

Suspension

Damper Control: electronic · Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated

Tires

Diameter: 19 · Type: summer performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy · Wheels: chrome alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse

Air Conditioning

Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Side airbags: front with head protection chambers

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · Hard Drive: 40GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 505 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.3 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Center console trim: alloy · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power rear seat · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.89 · Limited slip differential: center · Locking differential: front

Engine

Alternator: 140 amps

Exterior Features

Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · License plate bracket: front · Mirror color: aluminum · Paint: pearl · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in. · Video monitor location: front · Video monitor size: 7

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning

Lights

Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8

Rear Seats

Type: bench

Roof

Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power

Safety

Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash

Seatbelts

Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: perforated · Ventilated: front

Spare Tire

Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary

Spare Wheel

Rim Type: steel

Steering

Steering ratio: 16.3

Suspension

Damper Control: electronic · Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear

Telematics

Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated

Tires

Diameter: 19 · Type: summer performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 15

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation

See all trims (4)