2024 Audi S5 Cabriolet Prestige Quattro Review

There are some review vehicles you want to ride off into the sunset in, and for me, the 2024 Audi S5 Cabriolet is one of them.   The rang-topping S5 Cabriolet Prestige is an absolutely gorgeous sports car - slash -convertible with incredible driving dynamics that transform every day driving into something special.  The two-door drop-top lingers in your mind long after its vanished from your driveway.  For 2024, the A5/S5 model lineup gains new safety and tech features. 

Exterior 

As gorgeous as the S5 Cabriolet looks in photos, when you see its sculpted design in person, it's nothing short of stunning.  Chronos Gray Metallic pairs beautifully with a black soft top.

Audi always does an incredible job with its wheel designs and optional 20-inch 5-V-Spoke-star design wheels look amazing.  The S5 is equipped with summer tires and an S Sport package adds red brake calipers.

Up front you find Audi's hallmark honeycomb grille along with Audi's Matrix-design LED headlights with headlight washers, and the Prestige package adds Audi laser light and both headlight and taillight animation. Side sills look great along the profile.

Other exterior features include aluminum window and windshield surrounds and two-toned power, heated side mirrors.  S-model quad exhaust tips and LED taillights adorn the rear.

Soft Top

The cabriolet's power-folding soft-top is a BREEZE to operate from the center console. It's a real engineering marvel, too. You can open it when driving up to speeds of 31 mph and it stows in just 15 seconds.

Audi refers to it as an Acoustic soft-top. Designers used three-layer insulation to help reduce wind and road noise.   A wind screen is stowed in the trunk. I've previously demonstrated how easy it is to install in my 2022 Audi S5 Cabriolet review:

Performance

With its "S" badging you know the SQ5 is a performer. A 3.0-liter V6 delivers 349-horses and 369 pound-feet of torque.   It's equipped to an 8-speed automatic transmission and Audi's famous Quattro all-wheel drive which enhances the driving experience.  The S Sport package adds sport adaptive damping suspension and a sport rear differential which further dial up its sporty nature.  Acceleration is fantastic and fun. In true performance fashion, Audi cites a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds. 

New for 2024, remote engine start via myAudi app is now standard equipment across the model family.

Interior

The S5's sporty cabin envelops you in refined luxury.  The amazing leather seats, soft-touch materials, quality switchgear and impeccable craftsmanship all speak for themselves.  Carbon atlas inlays pair perfectly with glossy black trim. Audi doesn't go over the top on contrast stitching, but what there is of it is well-done.

The well-designed power driver seat is cushiony, supportive and holds you in place for your sporty endeavors.  Both front seats are heated.    A note about the seat options.  With the warm weather package, you gain ventilated seats and a neck-level heating seating system for the front seats. But you lose diamond stitched seats, S sport seats and massage.

Audi truly has thought of everything in here, heat-insulating glass for the side windows, seatbelt microphones (designed for use with voice control feature), and  there are also headrest speakers as well.

A perforated leather-wrapped three-spoke S-badged steering wheel is equipped with black paddle shifters.  Above it, one of my all time favorite digital driver display's in the biz: Audi's 12.3-inch virtual cockpit. It's graphics are amazing, and the best part is the ability to go full screen with Audi's available MMI Navigation system. It still wows me no matter how many times I see it.

Audi's multimedia system runs on a responsive 10.1-inch touchscreen with nice graphics. A cool feature is that you can swipe the screen to change radio stations. The MMI system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android. It also features a 3 month free trial of Sirius XM360. The Navigation package also now includes a six-month trial subscription to Audi Connect PLUS. 

Other features include a back up camera and available top view camera view.  The incredible Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system is an absolute must.

Dual zone front-row climate takes the form of traditional controls on the center stack. There is a line of buttons directly underneath the climate area where you find Drive Select and controls for the automatic stop start,  Parking system plus and more.  Beneath that you find a lone USB port along with a 12-volt.

A perforated-leather gear shift knob takes center stage on the glossy with carbon atlas inlays center console. I do like this gear shifter. What a great ergonomic design! The "P" for Park is placed conveniently within reach of your thumb. The console also houses two cupholders and power soft-top controls. 

Access to the 2nd row is easy thanks to a power seat button.  Sure, it's admittedly tight back there and there's not a ton of legroom, but I was able to fit myself back there. Two cupholders are embedded into the center seat area.

Trunk space fit my shopping bag needs - so I'll even call the S5 Cabriolet practical. The aforementioned wind screen is stored back there as well. A lever in the trunk allows you to easily fold down the 50/50 2nd-row seats if you need more cargo area.

Prestige package goodies also include three-zone climate with digital rear display, a leatherette-covered center console and door armrests, a center console wireless phone charging pad and an LED interior lighting plus package. 

Ride and Drive

The S5 Cabriolet is exhilarating to drive with excellent acceleration, steering responsiveness and sporty handling achieved by exceptional engineering. You always feel in control and the brakes are on point.  Keep it in Dynamic drive mode for a great expressive exhaust note. While handling is engaging and sporty, the ride itself is comfortable and enjoyable. Put the top down and it's pure gold.  

Safety

The A5/S5 lineup gets updated safety tech for 2024.  New standard features include adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist and Audi active lane assist, heated steering wheel with Hands on Detection, along with Parking system plus. The lineup is also equipped with Audi pre sense basic and pre sense front, lane departure warning, side assist with pre-sense rear. The Prestige's standard Navigation package adds new traffic sign recognition, which also activates Predictive adaptive cruise control.  The Prestige also features a nice standard color head-up display.

Options and What You'll Pay

My vehicle is brimming with extra goodies - to the tune of $13,295 in options. They include the Prestige Package ($7,100), the S Sport package ($2,500), Dynamic Steering ( ($1,150), Warm Weather Package ($1,150) and the 20-inch wheels with summer tires ($800.) The brings your MSRP to nearly $80,000. For all the luxury and convenience goodies you get, along with Audi's masterful engineering and handling, the price tag is worth it.

Verdict 

The gorgeous 2024 Audi S5 Cabriolet is a pure joy to drive.  It leaves you wanting for nothing except more time to spend behind the wheel.

• What I Liked Most: Gorgeous looks, luxury, performance & handling, soft-top operation, thoughtful features.
  
• What I would change:   If I was being nit-picky... well nothing!
  
• MSRP: Base Price $65,400; Total MSRP  $79,790 with transportation.
• Official Color:   Chronos Gray Metallic/w Black Roof ($595).
• Fuel Economy: 20 city/37 highway/22 overall.
• Odometer reading when tested:  1,503 miles.
• Weight:  4,167 curb weight.
• Spare tire:  Space-saving spare tire.
• Length-Width-Height: 184.9 long/54.5 with mirrors/79.9" high w/mirrors.
• Fuel Tank Capacity:  15.3 gallons with fuel tank on the passenger side (Premium fuel recommended.)
• Towing Capacity:   N/A
• 2024 Audi  S5 Cabriolet Prestige in a few words: Sporty, powerful and gorgeous. There's no way you can drive this vehicle and not want it.
• Warranty:  4 years/50,000 miles New Vehicle Warranty/12-year Limited Warranty against Corrosion Perforation/ 4 year Roadside Assistance covered by a third-party supplier. 
• Final Assembly Location:  Neckarsulm, Germany.
• Manufacturer's website:  Audi
  

   

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