A5 vs S5

Compare two new cars by price, estimated monthly payment, fuel economy, and other specifications. Data comes from the CarPayCheck.co.uk catalogue and uses your selected financing terms.

Specifications

  A5 S5
Manufacturer Audi Audi
Starting price — —
Monthly payment — —
Fuel type — —
Fuel economy — —
CO₂ emissions — —
Annual maintenance cost — —

Common issues

Audi A5

Yes, Audi issued recall 22V041 for 2021-2022 A5 models due to a software bug that can prevent the rearview camera image from appearing when reversing. The screen may stay black or frozen, increasing the risk of backing into objects or pedestrians. The recall remedy is a free dealer software update; out-of-pocket repairs for the infotainment module would cost $500-$1,200.

Yes, the MIB 3 infotainment system in 2020-2024 A5 models has documented instability causing screen freezes, random restarts, and Bluetooth/Apple CarPlay dropouts. This can make navigation and climate controls unresponsive, and if software updates fail, the entire head unit may need replacement. Post-warranty replacement costs $1,800-$2,500 installed.

Yes, the plastic water pump/thermostat housing on the 2.0L EA888 engine in 2019-2024 A5s is prone to leaking coolant, causing low-coolant warnings and visible drips. Left unchecked, it can lead to overheating and engine damage. Replacement costs $800-$1,500 at an independent shop, or over $2,000 at a dealer.

Yes, the panoramic roof drain tubes on 2019-2024 A5s can clog or pinch, leading to water intrusion on headliners, pillars, or footwells after heavy rain. This can damage seat electronics or cause musty odors, and prolonged exposure may corrode wiring and modules. Cleaning or re-routing the drains costs $200-$450, but water damage repairs can exceed $1,500.

Yes, the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission in 2019-2024 A5s can have mechatronic unit failures, causing hard shifts, hesitation, and even loss of drive. A flashing PRNDS warning light indicates a serious issue, and delaying repair can destroy clutch packs. Mechatronic replacement at a specialist costs $3,000-$4,500, while a full transmission replacement is $6,000-$8,000.

Audi S5

The EA839 3.0T V6 vacuum-actuated water pump internal seal can fail, allowing coolant to leak into the vacuum-control system on 2019-2024 Audi S5 models. The first symptom is typically a coolant-level warning, followed by coolant residue on switching valve N649; it may also trigger P0299 turbo under-boost and 'Drivetrain Malfunction' warnings, creating a risk of sudden power loss while driving. Audi issued TSBs MC-10245526-0001 and MC-10172894-0001 acknowledging the coolant pump leak issue.

About this comparison

Audi A5 and Audi S5 suit different driving needs. The main differences below cover price, monthly payment, fuel economy, and running costs.

The final choice is about more than numbers: annual distance, city or motorway use, and the space your household needs all matter. Use the CarPayCheck.co.uk calculator to apply your financing terms and evaluate both cars in your situation.

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