2008 Audi S5 Interior Review
Not Yet Ranked
Interior - What the Auto Press Says
Similar to its exterior design, the S5's overall fit and finish is both luxurious and edgy. "The car's exterior beauty carries over inside," says Road and Track. "Audi has been rightly lauded as a leader in automotive interiors, and it doesn't disappoint with the S5. The materials, fit and finish are luxurious and high-tech at the same time, a difficult feat as usually technology trumps taste when it comes to cars with serious sporting intent." Best of all, Motor Trend explains the S5's interior "can be tailored to suit individual tastes with an impressive array of optional colors, fabrics, and textures that are attainable without cracking Audi Exclusive's custom-order book."
Seating
The 2008 Audi S5's cabin features seating for four, and come equipped with heated front sport seats, Silk Nappa leather upholstery, and enough passenger room to satisfy most critics. Still, some contest just how roomy its backseat really is.
According to Motor Trend, the S5's eight-way power adjustable front seats "embrace occupants as securely as a hug from Dr. Heimlich." The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explains, "The front seats offer support for long-distance driving comfort along with prominent seatback bolsters to hold the torso in place during hard cornering." While both front seats feature four-way power lumbar adjustment, only the driver's seat comes equipped with two-position memory.
"The back seat is also fairly roomy for a coupe," says Car and Driver of the S5's 60/40 split-fold lockable rear seat, "although a six-footer will be touching knees and head when sitting behind another six-footer." While the Detroit News says it "feels cramped and lacks head room because of the sloping roof," and is therefore better for children, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes it "can actually accommodate a couple of adults as long as they're of small stature and the front seats are moved forward to provide knee room." Getting back there, however, will be the real challenge says the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, as it "requires a contortionist's skills."
Interior Features
According to Edmunds, "Audi has also managed the transition to mobile electronics with far more flair and good sense than its competitors." Among the many standard interior comfort and convenience features equipped in the 2008 Audi S5 are fade-in/fade-out interior lights, a five-function trip computer, multi-function steering wheel, and an Audi Symphony AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer, a ten-speaker 180-watt sound system including subwoofer and center fill speaker, and SIRIUS Satellite Radio.
Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) system -- which combines all of the S5's advanced technology system in a single easy-to-use interface -- receives much praise. "The MMI system governs various functions -- including the navigation system - with a central knob behind the gearshift," explains Cars.com. "Thanks to more than a dozen shortcut buttons surrounding the knob, it's easier to use than BMW's similar iDrive, but uninitiated drivers may find it confusing." Edmunds says the MMI system "continues to be the best of these systems, as the central control knob and its surrounding buttons create and interface that quickly becomes intuitive."
While most of the S5's interior features receive rave reviews, its tilting glass panoramic sunroof doesn't. The Detroit News explains: "It only tilts ajar instead of actually opening. Audi decided to do this because it would have had to either make the roof thicker or have an ugly piece of glass hanging next to an open hole." Still, Car and Driver -- disappointed with its inability to slide -- asks, "Why bother?"
Cargo
The S5 offers 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space -- which Car and Driver calls "impressive" and "prodigious." However, if more space is required, the rear seatbacks fold flat. Other storage areas include an illuminated glove box and full-length center console.
