Makes›Audi›S5›2020

2020 Audi S5

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Audi S5
Pictured: 2018 Audi S5 sedan front 4.11.18. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
2dr Convertible, 2dr Coupe, Sportback
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 20 city / 27 hwy
Length
184.6–187 in
Curb weight
3,605–4,233 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 32 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Audi S5 is a subcompact car offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 185 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,233 lb (2dr Convertible).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (20 city / 27 highway), 0% better than the 2020 subcompact car average of 22.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2020

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 S5 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 S5 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Convertible184.6 in72.8 in53.9 in108.7 in62.6 / 61.8 in4,233 lb56/44
2dr Coupe184.6 in72.8 in53.9 in108.7 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,605 lb56/44
Sportback187 in72.4 in54.3 in111.4 in62.6 / 61.8 in3,704 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
S53.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 230%$3,550393
S5 Sportback3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23-17%$3,550393
S5 Cabriolet3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22-4%$3,750405
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22.9 MPG2020 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2020 Audi S5.

Similar 2020 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Audi S5 (this car)23 MPGNot rated4
2020 BMW 3 Series30 MPGNot rated0
2020 BMW 5 Series28 MPGNot rated0
2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class26 MPG★★★★★0
2020 Lexus IS24 MPGNot rated0
2020 Audi A430 MPGNot rated3
2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class28 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Tires · Jan 26, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V034000 · 31,058 vehicles

Problem
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, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Nov 10, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V874000 · 208,332 vehicles

Problem
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 cable connecting the seat heater to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) may have a contact fault, causing the software to misdiagnose a malfunction and disable the passenger air bag.
Risk
A disabled passenger air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the connecting cable and either the heating mat or entire seat cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 7, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 74E3. This recall is an expansion of Recall 19V-547 (74D9). Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-547 will need to return for the new remedy.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly · Apr 26, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V295000 · 40,993 vehicles

Problem
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, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights · Nov 25, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V737000 · 5,426 vehicles

Problem
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 wheel well.
Risk
Without the scuff protection, the wires may become damaged during a rear crash, disabling the doors from being opened from the outside, causing a loss of hazard lights, and increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Audi will notify owners, and dealers will apply scuff protection, free of charge. The recall began January 21, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 97EU.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Audi S5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

25Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
Electrical System14
Unknown Or Other12
Back Over Prevention › Warnings10
Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking4
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking4
Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings4
Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
22/05: 122/09: 123/01: 125/05: 225/06: 725/07: 1225/08: 122/0522/0923/0125/0525/0625/0725/08max 12

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Audi S5 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 14 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Back Over Prevention › Warnings — 10 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  4. Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 4 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  5. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Audi S5. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other S5 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 S523–Not rated00
2026 S523190.2 inNot rated01
2025 S523185.4 inNot rated211
2024 S524185.4 inNot rated02
2023 S524185.4 inNot rated13
2022 S524185.4 inNot rated21
2021 S523185.4 inNot rated51
2019 S524184.6 inNot rated46
2018 S524184.6 inNot rated326
2017 S521182.7 inNot rated10
2016 S521182.7 inNot rated01
2015 S521182.7 inNot rated02

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →