Audi says that their 2022 S5 Cabriolet checks all of the boxes. They add it is an exceptional choice for those who want a luxury cabriolet with plenty of muscle. We’re not sure about others, but for us – the top trim Prestige checked all of our boxes and then some.
A couple of weeks back, the folks at Audi dropped us a spanking new 2022 S5 Cabriolet Prestige at our home near Austin. Good time to have a convertible – so long as you go top down from dawn until around 10 am and then again after 8 in the evening – which we did.
Either way, top up or down, this Audi S5 Cabriolet was a real pleasure to drive around Hill Country Texas.
At first look our S5 had us with its classical mature styling enhanced with plenty of sporty flair.
Clad in a refined District Green Metallic paint with a Black ‘One-Touch’ Acoustic Power Folding Top and riding on 20-inch 5V Spoke Matte Metallic Wheels, our Audi S5 Prestige attracted attention wherever we went.
Note: the cabriolet folding top not only delivered a pretty quiet cabin experience, it also kept the Texas July heat outl (temperatures were triple digit for our full test week).
Checking the boxes, just standing still our Audi S5 Cabriolet Prestige looked really good.
It got even better from there.
Power Train and Mechanical
Our 2022 Audi S5 Cabriolet Prestige did not disappoint from under the hood.
The S5 cabriolet is powered by 3.0L Twin Scroll Turbocharged V6 producing 349 horsepower with 369 lb.-ft. of torque delivered through an Eight Speed Tiptronic Automatic Transmission to the Audi quattro All-Wheel Drive system with a quattro rear sport differential.
Performance is driver controlled through the Audi Drive Select system featuring COMFORT, AUTO and DYNAMIC settings that adjust throttle and transmission for an enhanced drive experience. For those wanting more, there is an INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMIZATION setting for additional adjustment in the settings.
Note: though not called out, the Dynamic setting adds a subtle yet throaty rumble from the S Model Chrome Exhaust Tips.
Oh yeah…… our Audi S5 Cabriolet had a ‘Launch Control’ feature. We did not test it, but the literature says the mark is 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds with the top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph.
Standard Features
This cabriolet cockpit is very generously sized with plenty of technology and amenities all well configured and well placed for ease of use both driving and riding. As for the rear seating….. not so generous – better for ‘quick need’ gear bags and accessories.
The seating is both large and comfortable up front with Diamond Stitched Fine Nappa Leather Power S Sport Seats, Power side bolsters and a massage function.
Other notable ‘standard’ amenities include Carbon Atlas Inlays, Heated Front Seats, LED Interior Lighting, 50/50 Split Folding Rear Seating, Three Zone Automatic Climate Control w/digital rear display, Three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel w/paddle shifters, Stainless Steel Pedals and Footrest to name a few.
Note: Sometimes it’s the little things that impress, so bravo the dual cupholder placement in the front. Right-sized forward of the shifter and just below the stack. Easy comfortable reach for and return without distracting from driving.
Infotainment and Driver Convenience
The cabin of the Audi S5 Prestige standard assortment includes Audi MMi 10.1-inch Touch Display, MMi Navigation, Smartphone Interface signal booster and wireless charger, Bluetooth w/Audio Streamng, SiriusXM All Access, Voice Control w/seatbelt microphones, Audit Pre Sense City, Pre Sense Rear, Side Assist w/Rear Cross Traffic Assist, Vehicle Exit Warning, Audi Connect and more.
Note: We give a hearty shout out for the a very slick and well laid out 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that boldly – at a glance – gives all of the performance information you want and need.
The Prestige Package
The top-of-the-line Prestige Package, priced at $8,100, completed our Audi S5 Cabriolet with a serious load of top-end features.
Top end features included Adaptive Cruise Control w/Traffic Jam Assist, Audi MMi Navigation Plus, Sirius XM 360, LED Interior Lighting Package and a large Head-up Display w/Traffic Sign Recognition,
Other features included Heated Steering Wheel with ‘Hands-on Detection’, Leatherette covered console and arm rests, Driver Seat Memory, Auto Dimming Power Folding Exterior Mirrors, Audi Connect Plus, Top View Camera System, Matrix Design LED Headlights w/Audi Laser Light, High Beam Assist, Headlight Washers, Audi Advanced Key, Keyless Engine Start, Audi Active Lane Assist and still more.
Note: the Park Assist feature deserves special mention. It uses display selectable parallel parking left or right, head-in and back in symbols for the driver to choose which ‘park’ they are wanting to execute. Touch the symbol and the Audi S5 parks for you. And yes, when you return it ‘unparks’ for you.
Options included:
Completing our 2022 Audi S5 Cabriolet Prestige as options were the afore mentioned District Green Metallic Paint, Black Acoustic Roof and Rotor Gray with Anthracite Stitched interior (MSRP $595) and the 20-inch 5V Spoke Star Design Wheels mounted with Dunlop 265/30 ZR20 Sport Max RT Summer tires (MSRP $800)
Well more than ready to go our Audi S5 Cabriolet delivered into our driveway priced at $73,540.
Anthing Missing?
The available Warm Weather Package (MSRP $1,150) would enhance the ‘year-around’ enjoyment of this cabriolet when bright sunny days invite ‘top-down’ cruising. It adds Leather Seat Surfaces and Neck Level Heat Vents.
Curiously, the package also includes Ventilated Seats. We would have expected those with standard package or, at least, in the Prestige Package.
In any case, if the Audi S5 Cabriolet is going to be your pretty regular driver, spring for the Warm Weather Package too.
Build Your Own
The Audi S5 Cabriolet is available in three trim levels: Premium (MSRP $63,400), Premier Plus (MSRP $67,000) and the Prestige (MSRP $71,500).
Learn more and even build your own 2022 Audi S5 Cabriolet by going to https://www.audiusa.com/us/web/en/models/a5/s5-cabriolet/2022/overview.html.
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KEY DATA: 2022 Audi S5 Cabriolet Prestige
- Model: S5 Cabriolet
- Trim: Prestige
- Class: Luxury Midsize Convertible
- Seating: Four
- MSRP: $63,000 (Base)
- As Tested: $73,540
- Powertrain: 3.0L Turbo V6
- Horsepower: 349 @ 6300 rpm
- Torque: 369 ft.-lb. @ 3200 rpm
- Transmission: 8-speed ‘Tiptronic’ Automatic
- Drive Modes: Comfort/Auto/Dynamic/Individual
- Drive System: ‘quattro’ AWD
- Differential: ‘quattro’ sport rear differential
- Acceleration: 0-60 mph 4.7-seconds
- Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
- Suspension: 5-Link S-sport tuned front and rear
- Steering: Electromechanical Power Steering
- Brakes 13.8-inch/13.0-inch (F/R) Ventilated Disc
- Wheels: 20-inch Matte Titanium
- Tires: 265/30 ZR20 Dunlop Sport Max RT Summer
- Fuel Economy: 21/28/23 mpg – city/highway/combined
- Fuel Tank: 14.3 Gallons (Premium)
- Range: 425+ Miles Highway
