Key Takeaways

• The Audi RS5 offers a more powerful engine and better performance than the S5, with 444 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque compared to the S5's 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
• The RS5 has a slightly wider body than the S5, with flared arches and a wider track for a more aggressive look.
• While the interiors of both cars are similar in terms of features and amenities, the RS5 comes with sports seats as standard, while they can be optioned in the S5.

With performance being a draw for anyone who’s remotely interested in automobiles, Audi has leveraged its racing heritage into developing sportier versions of its regular cars, in varying degrees to suit any purpose or budget. As a result, the Audi RS5 came into existence with a more muscular powertrain than the already-tuned Audi S5 to take its place at the top of the A5 lineup, at a hefty price of course.

Updated September 2023: Since this article was originally published, prices have changed slightly with the 2024 Audi S5 now costing $56,800 (up from $52,000 in late 2020) while the flagship 2024 Audi RS5 has an MSRP starting at $78,900 - now a $22,100 difference between the two machines.

This begs the question of whether the Audi RS5 is worth the extra $21,000 or so over the S5. For some, the extra performance is going to be worth the asking price. For others, it may come down to how involving the driving experience is, and whether one is easier to live with than the other. Though these are essentially the same cars, there's more between them than meets the eye.

Related: Audi Excellence: Unveiling The 10 Best Engines In Their Illustrious History

Do The Audi S5 And RS5 Have The Same Engine?

Let’s go over the engines in these two flavors of sports car, both available in coupe or Sportback guise. The Audi S5 packs a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, while the Audi RS5 gets a twin-turbo 2.9-liter unit. Going over the numbers, the S5 puts out 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, whereas the RS5 gets 444 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque.

In a sprint, the RS5 Sportback gets off to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, while the S5 Sportback manages a 0-60 mph sprint in 4.5 seconds. The RS5 Coupe and S5 Coupe accelerate a tenth quicker than their 5-door counterparts. The RS5 and S5 also have a restricted top speed of 155 mph, but the RS5 can go to 174 mph if optioned with the $3,500 Dynamic package.

For $16,000-odd over the price of a base RS5, Audi will sell you the Competition package that ups that to 180 mph. Largely thanks to the removal of sound-deadening material that drops 18 lbs of weight over the standard car, and up to 0.8-inches lower ride height for better aero.

What Is The Difference Between An Audi RS5 And S5?

While the figures could justify the price and provide you with bragging rights, the marginal performance increase might not be enough to justify the premium. If you really need the fastest 0-60 mph time, the $89,990 Tesla Model S Plaid would have to be your choice, though it's not really a sports car. Both the Audi S5 and RS5 last received significant updates in 2021, and the RS5 Competition package was added in late-2022 to further increase the performance and handling gap.

The Audi's RS5 gets sportier suspension and a lower center of gravity, but it doesn’t really matter much in the real world - the S5 offers largely the same ability, albeit with a slightly softer steering and suspension. For many, the Audi S5 does nearly everything the RS5 can do, in more comfort and while being more affordable. The flip side is that several S5 owners do end up missing the extra feracity of the twin-turbo RS5.

In summary, yes, the difference will be noticeable, but nine times out of ten it wouldn’t matter; such as when you're on the highway instead of a racetrack.

Related: 10 Things We Love About The Audi A5 Sportback

Is The Audi RS5 Wider Than The S5?

When compared to the Audi S5 this is largely where the RS5 stands out, at least on paper. Both the RS5 and S5 are based on the same chassis as the A5; to the untrained eye, however, it’s hard to notice the difference between the A5 and the S5. The Audi RS5's body stands about 0.6-inches wider than the S5, thanks to a wider track front and rear, and flared arches.

The front of the Audi RS5 is adorned by an exclusive RS-styled grille along with a more aggressive front bumper.

On the other hand, the S5 carried over the understated look of the S5, which might make it qualify as a sleeper.

Audi's RS5 gets functional vents (with a lot of fake vents as well) and larger 19-inch wheels, while the S5 makes do with 18-inch wheels.

On the sides, the RS5 gets skirts for better air-curtaining and aesthetic appeal. The rear, however, features the signature dual-oval exhaust tips while the S5 gets quad tailpipes; the RS5 also gets a diffuser and a lip spoiler which might be more for styling than function at normal speeds.

The Audi S5 could be had as a coupe, cabriolet, and Sportback earlier, though the convertible has been dropped now. The RS5 can be had as a coupe and a Sportback, with no option of a convertible having ever existed. For those who really prefer the top-down experience, sticking to an older-model S5 would be the better option.

The Audi RS5's Interiors Are Slightly More Sporty Than The S5

The interior is one place where both feel exactly the same, except for a few RS badges in place of the S badge splattered across the cabin. Everything else looks and feels exactly the same. While Audi has been bashed over the years for its lack of luxury, things have changed in recent times.

Sports seats are offered as standard on the RS5, while they can be optioned in the S5. In terms of amenities, both of them come equipped with all the bells and whistles you expect from a luxury car.

In terms of connectivity, both the S5 and RS5 get a high-mounted 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system can also be operated via voice recognition and steering-wheel controls, but the intuitive rotary controller on the center console has been axed. Furthermore, the system gets all sorts of connectivity features like Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Convenience features like front seats with heating and massage functions, three-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and an optional panoramic sunroof. Those who prefer added technology can go ahead and option the fully digital gauge cluster, heated steering wheel, and a head-up display.

Related: The Legendary Audi Quattro Sports Car Is Back For Business

Is The Audi S5 Or RS5 Better?

It's okay to question the Audi RS5 for not justifying its value over the S5 considering the price; but if you’re willing to pay the extra cash and want better performance on the edge with a styling upgrade; then make no mistake, the RS5 offers more for the extra outlay.

However, if you’re the value shopper who intends to save a few bucks and wants to experience speed and luxury with more comfort, the Audi S5 makes more sense without a doubt.

Sources: Audi