2nd AUDI S5 SPORTBACK

Performance, quality and 4WD traction set four-door apart, but it’s held back by its price and expensive options

THE Audi S5 Sportback’s strong points are its sharp styling, high-quality interior and huge performance. While it falls behind the Kia for engagement, the S5’s impressive traction adds another dimension to its character on the road.

It’s faster off the line than its rival here, beating the Kia’s 0-60mph time by two tenths of a second, but where you really notice the benefit of the all-wheel-drive set-up is in corners. Get on the power aggressively and the Audi will stick to its line for longer, although it’s not as exciting as the Stinger as a result. In wet weather, though, the S5 feels almost as composed as it does in the dry and that’s where the quattro system comes into its own.

While the Audi is down on power and torque compared with the Stinger – 349bhp and 500Nm versus the Kia’s 365bhp and 510Nm – it is 195kg lighter than its Korean rival. At 1,660kg, the S5 Sportback undercuts the GT S’s 1,855kg kerbweight, which helped it deliver competitive performance.

While the Audi was a little slower from 30-70mph, taking four seconds compared with the Stinger’s 3.9 seconds, both cars offer fantastic acceleration, with the pair covering 30-50mph in fourth gear in three seconds flat.

The Audi’s engine isn’t particularly characterful, but in this test it’s still the more enjoyable unit. There’s a sportier exhaust note, and it revs rapidly; but neither car’s V6 is as sweet as the straight-six in a BMW 440i Gran Coupé.

The Sportback was also a little less refined than the Stinger in our noise tests, partly due to its firmer suspension. Yet both models recorded similar readings in the noise tests, while the S5 offers plenty of high-speed cruising refinement.

Both of these saloons are superb long-distance cruisers; quiet and comfortable on the motorway and responsive and sharper when you adjust the driving modes. However, the S5 can’t match the Stinger’s driving position and smoother ride.

Still, the Audi’s larger boot means you’d be able to fit more luggage inside. It’s also brighter in the rear of the cabin, which helps add a feeling of space, even if the Kia has more headroom than the Sportback.

The S5’s interior is a clear winner, though, because the materials used are superb and the design is one of the best in any car. It’s finished beautifully, and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit system lets you use the sat-nav and other functions on a large 12.3-inch digital display instead of traditional dials. It’s an excellent set-up and at £250 is a worthwhile extra to add a hi-tech feel that complements the model’s well built and high-quality interior.