2020 Audi S5
May 11, 2020, 6:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 23
2020 Audi S5
Redeemed one reward day at PAE location. Booked Premium Elite Suv. Got offered this beauty by super friendly and helpful staff.
Took it to the San Juan Island and really enjoyed it.
Took it to the San Juan Island and really enjoyed it.
May 12, 2020, 1:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 664
That is an awesome find! And it's not black or white: I've rented a dozen Audis over the last few years and almost every single one was white or black. Think I got a rare silver one once.
Good thing it has real exhaust tips unlike the SQ5.
Good thing it has real exhaust tips unlike the SQ5.
May 13, 2020, 11:11 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 23
May 14, 2020, 6:44 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 23
RS5 is definitely a different type of animal! S5 is great in terms of handling, 350hp is good enough for its body. The 4wd just lets you unleash the power through all the fun corners. Good fuel economy: 22-26mpg
May 15, 2020, 10:27 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: BAEC Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA Gold (*G), DL Silver, Makers Mark Ambassador
Posts: 4,642
Good to hear! I want to upgrade to the RS5 in 2021 but the GF has her eyes on a ring, SQ5 and a house in the next couple years so my upgrade may have to wait. SOunds like the S5 could be a good option in the interim.
Oct 19, 2020, 1:17 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 664
Got lucky this weekend and managed to snag an S5 for a couple of days. The classification was UXAR (premium elite) so same as Audi A6, Lincoln Continental and Infiniti Q70.
Setting aside the Miata, the S5 is by far the best handling car I've ever rented. It grips so well that you can't really come close to its handling limits on public roads. It was so much fun to drive in the mountains.
The other highlight of the car was the exhaust: in dynamic (aka sport) mode, it crackles and pops when up shifting or letting off the gas at above 4000 rpm.
The only downside I would say is the ride - it's a bit stiff on bad pavement.
In terms of best handling cars in the National fleet, I would put the Miata and S5 at the top. The next tier would be the ATS, CTS, and Mercedes CLA.
Setting aside the Miata, the S5 is by far the best handling car I've ever rented. It grips so well that you can't really come close to its handling limits on public roads. It was so much fun to drive in the mountains.
The other highlight of the car was the exhaust: in dynamic (aka sport) mode, it crackles and pops when up shifting or letting off the gas at above 4000 rpm.
The only downside I would say is the ride - it's a bit stiff on bad pavement.
In terms of best handling cars in the National fleet, I would put the Miata and S5 at the top. The next tier would be the ATS, CTS, and Mercedes CLA.
Oct 19, 2020, 1:28 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,455
Something about Enterprise at SEA. I booked a Nissan Versa ("or similar") and got offered a Volvo S60, which I grabbed of course. (This was for a 7 day road trip). But it was white.
Oct 20, 2020, 11:26 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
I have the regular 2018 A5, and the dual-clutch gearbox is awesome. Blips the throttle on downshifts like a perfect heel/toe and I get crackles and pops even with the base 252 hp four. Low end torque is phenomenal and it's just over 5 seconds to 60.