CarBook Car Review: 2025 Audi S5 – The First and the Last of Its Kind

Audi has revealed the 2025 S5 Sportback, and while it may look like a natural successor to the outgoing model, it carries a dual distinction: it’s both the first new model built on Audi’s final combustion-engine vehicle platform and the last of its kind before the brand transitions fully into electrification.

A Milestone in Audi’s Legacy

The Audi S5 has long been a benchmark for sporty sophistication, blending dynamic performance with everyday usability. The 2025 model arrives at a pivotal moment in automotive history — it is the first launch on the company’s last-generation combustion platform, signaling the end of an era for Audi’s gasoline-powered cars.

At the same time, it stands as a bridge to the future, as Audi accelerates its commitment to electrification under the Vorsprung 2030 strategy. For enthusiasts, the 2025 S5 offers one final chance to experience the visceral thrill of a new Audi performance car powered by combustion.

Performance and Driving Dynamics

Under the hood, the 2025 S5 continues to deliver the refined performance expected from the badge. Its turbocharged V6 delivers a responsive balance of power and efficiency, with sharp throttle response and a wide torque band that makes it equally at home on twisting back roads or long highway stretches.

Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system remains a highlight, offering confident grip in all conditions, while updated suspension tuning sharpens the S5’s handling without compromising ride comfort. Steering feedback is precise, making it an engaging yet refined driver’s car.

Design Evolution

The 2025 S5 carries a more sculpted, modern exterior design, with sleeker headlights, a wider grille, and aerodynamic refinements that give it a more aggressive stance. At the rear, revised taillights and quad exhaust tips emphasize its performance pedigree.

Inside, the S5 showcases Audi’s latest digital cockpit with dual high-resolution displays, intuitive controls, and premium finishes that elevate the driving environment. Sport seats with enhanced bolstering provide support during spirited drives, while still ensuring long-distance comfort.

The Last of Its Generation

What makes the 2025 S5 truly historic is its position as the final new model on Audi’s last combustion-engine platform. This makes it a collectible in its own right, symbolizing the closing chapter of Audi’s combustion story.

From 2026 onward, Audi will focus entirely on electric models, with upcoming vehicles like the Audi A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron setting the stage for the future. For fans of traditional performance cars, the S5 serves as a poignant reminder of what made combustion special — sound, response, and mechanical character.

Conclusion

The 2025 Audi S5 is more than just a car; it’s a marker in automotive history. It celebrates everything enthusiasts love about combustion while acknowledging the inevitable electric future ahead. For drivers who want one last taste of Audi’s performance legacy before the brand goes fully electric, the S5 delivers on every front.

For more first impressions and reviews, explore CarBook’s First Drives section.