In CAR magazine’s December 2017 comparison, the Audi S5 Sportback was the editors’ choice—not because it beat the BMW 440i M Sport Gran Coupe and Kia Stinger GT-S on every figure, but because its blend of pace, refinement and restrained design made it the most convincing whole car. The Kia had more power and a higher top speed; the BMW returned marginally better fuel economy. The Audi, however, was quickest from 0–62mph in the comparison table.
What the 2017 comparison found
CAR put three premium fastbacks head to head: the Audi S5 Sportback, BMW 440i M Sport Gran Coupe and Kia Stinger GT-S. Its verdict was an editorial judgment about the complete car, rather than a claim that the S5 led every category. The prices and specifications below belong to that December 2017 UK test; they are not current-market prices or a guide to today’s S5 range. Read the CAR December 2017 issue.
| 2017 comparison figure | Audi S5 Sportback | BMW 440i M Sport Gran Coupe | Kia Stinger GT-S |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed price | £48,175 | £45,490 | £40,495 |
| As-tested price | £54,620 | Not stated in CAR’s comparison table | Not stated in CAR’s comparison table |
| Power | 349bhp | 322bhp | 365bhp |
| 0–62mph | 4.7 seconds | 5.1 seconds | 5.1 seconds |
| Top speed | 155mph | 155mph | 168mph |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Official fuel economy | 37.7mpg | 41.5mpg | 28.5mpg |
| Test fuel economy | 26.5mpg | 27.7mpg | 23.6mpg |
All figures in the table are those listed by CAR for the 2017 comparison. The official and test economy figures are separate measures: the test results describe the magazine’s comparison, not a promise of what an owner will achieve in everyday driving.
Why the S5’s verdict is not a contradiction
The Kia leads on power and top speed
At 365bhp, the Stinger GT-S had the most power of the three and its listed 168mph top speed was higher than the Audi’s and BMW’s 155mph. Yet CAR’s table gave the Kia a 5.1-second 0–62mph time, two tenths slower than the S5. Peak power and top speed do not, by themselves, determine how quickly a car gets away or how satisfying it is to live with.
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The BMW has the economy edge
The 440i’s listed test economy was 27.7mpg against 26.5mpg for the S5, while its official figure was 41.5mpg against the Audi’s 37.7mpg. Those numbers make the BMW the economy leader in this comparison, not proof that every driver or route will produce the same difference.
The Audi combines the quickest listed sprint with composure
The S5’s 4.7-second 0–62mph time was the quickest in the table, and CAR’s praise focused on qualities that a specification sheet cannot fully rank: refinement and design. The magazine considered the S5’s detailing more restrained than the Stinger’s styling, which it found overworked, and less commonplace in appearance than the BMW in this direct comparison. Those are the publication’s design judgments, not objective measurements.
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Which one makes sense for which buyer?
- Choose the S5 if: you want the quickest stated 0–62mph time here, all-wheel drive and the combination of performance with the refinement and understated design CAR preferred.
- Consider the 440i if: the slightly better fuel-economy figures in this test matter more to you, and you prefer its rear-wheel-drive configuration.
- Consider the Stinger GT-S if: maximum stated power and top speed are the priorities, or the lower listed 2017 price is compelling; it was also the least expensive of the three at list price in the comparison.
Space, cabin quality and equipment can be decisive in a fastback, but the available comparison figures do not establish a measured winner on those points. A later digest of reviews of the 2016–2019 S5 Sportback also characterizes it as fast, relaxed and well equipped, with reviewers praising its refinement and balance between performance and efficiency; that is broader supporting context, not a substitute for CAR’s three-car test. The Car Expert’s review digest.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the 2017 choice apply to buying an S5 now?
No: it is useful as a period comparison, not as current buying advice. A later Car Expert page discusses a newer A5 range, but it is not a like-for-like update of this S5 head-to-head. Current UK S5 availability, trim and transaction pricing are not established by these sources. The Car Expert’s newer A5 range coverage provides separate context, not updated specifications for the 2017 cars.
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