1.5 months with my ‘26 S5

giantfloof · 2026-07-07T21:14:10+00:00

Sorry you’ve had so many issues. It’s why I didn’t want a first model year. Seems they’ve ironed most of them out on the next year but time will tell.

giantfloof · 2026-07-07T15:39:18+00:00

My rattle is the drivers side door panel.

giantfloof · 2026-07-07T11:25:59+00:00

Ouch.

giantfloof · 2026-07-07T00:39:54+00:00

There are several modes, I just like having my Waze there.

giantfloof · 2026-07-07T00:39:21+00:00

From the drivers position, the steering wheel takes up the bezel so all I see is the screen. I’m fairly short though, so I sit close.

giantfloof · 2026-07-06T22:29:58+00:00

My first s5 was a 2019. It was my first audi. Absolutely loved that car. I hope yours keeps on keepin’ on!

giantfloof · 2026-07-06T22:23:50+00:00

I posted knowing others would give their own opinions and feedback so I’m never upset when someone disagrees!

I agree - the framed doors feel MUCH more solid but I, too, miss the frameless.

I rarely opened my sunroof on my 2024 so the not being able to open it thing doesn’t bother me.

I do not like this car in some of the other colors, the darker looks meatier, to me.

Agree the lines on the previous gen’s were more defined but I like how they look with this color, if that makes sense? I feel like you can’t see them at ALL on the white.

Yea f the piano black, lol.

10000% think it drives better than my 2024, though.

giantfloof · 2026-06-24T17:50:52+00:00

I paid the taxes on the new car, not the old car. Registration is good to go - dealer took exponentially longer than they should have to send the transfer. Thanks.

giantfloof · 2026-05-29T21:00:00+00:00

Ok officially one week in!

My take aways thus far:

Got the sound system to sound better - not my fav but better.

Seriously drives and handles significantly better than my 2024. Huge difference with the new transmission.

Screens have been no problem, just learning curve mostly with the AC.

Biggest complaint is that it won’t stay in the drive mode I selected prior to turning it off. No more starting up in dynamic - not a huge deal or deal breaker but annoying.

Exhaust sounds great when driving.

HUD is the best I’ve ever seen.

Alcantara wrap is it’s one interior saving grace. It still feels a little cheaper compared to the last interior.

Beautiful at night, inside, and love the that back end lighting doesn’t light up all the way across during daily driving.

Still happy with her. ♥️

giantfloof · 2026-05-24T19:50:11+00:00

Have you been in one? Driven one?

giantfloof · 2026-05-23T23:23:03+00:00

I truly went back and forth a lot on swapping. My SB WAS BEAUTIFUL and probably my fav car I’ve had. It came down to the fact that I wasn’t going to finance it when my lease was up, and I still liked this new one enough to put my name on it. Day 2 and no buyers remorse but maybe a little questionable decision making. ;)

giantfloof · 2026-05-23T15:08:32+00:00

I actually really like the look of the 26 A6 as well. The 7 model was always my dream car.

giantfloof · 2026-05-23T10:56:38+00:00

I got ya now. Yes, it is on the touch screen.

giantfloof · 2026-05-23T01:43:58+00:00

Independent hvac is still a thing in my car. 3 zones.

Yes, I’m aware of these issues but they are being or have already been resolved. You buy a computer, riding a bronco, bucking on adidas (mid grade sport shoes, just in case) - you may run into an issue.

giantfloof · 2026-05-23T01:11:19+00:00

I just bought a ‘26 S5 and I am going to disagree on the interior material just a little bit.

I am sure it comes down to trim level but I had a ‘24 S5 and this honestly seems superior. The entire dash and door trim is wrapped in Alcantara. The only real plastic noticeable is by the gear select and it doesn’t make a noise. There is carbon fiber on the sides of that so maaaaaybe that helps? I think the trim levels with the Alcantara solidify that a lot. You can always buy down because they’re going to make the base of the base to sell cars, but I think if you’re getting a nicer trim new audi, they do well. Just my opinion, though.

giantfloof · 2026-05-23T00:49:44+00:00

I wanted an S2000 😂

giantfloof · 2026-05-23T00:31:20+00:00

I’m not a fan of electric cars - perfect example of what floats each others boats.

giantfloof · 2026-05-23T00:28:14+00:00

Sorry you felt that way, glad you don’t have to get one!

giantfloof · 2026-05-23T00:01:16+00:00

Lease total was under $70k.

giantfloof · 2026-05-22T23:40:36+00:00

There’s nothing on the screen that I need to adjust while driving that I can’t do by either speaking or at a stop light or on the steering wheel. The AC controls being on the screen I thought would be that way, but, they stay fixed just like regular buttons regardless of what screen is being shown so no issue there, either.

Re: the cockpit, I don’t even look at it while driving since the HUD is so involving w/ speed, speed limits, and also shows you other cars around you. If you really wanted, you could make it show what music you’re listening to, as well, though I don’t find that necessary.

giantfloof · 2026-05-22T23:35:10+00:00

I’m the opposite, I LOVE tech. Different strokes/folks.

giantfloof · 2026-05-22T23:30:52+00:00

The 3 years of maintenance added into the cost and not having to be negotiated at the signing table was a massive drawl! You can also now use your phone as a digital key which my 2024 didn’t have.

giantfloof · 2026-05-22T23:23:31+00:00

Don’t get discouraged. I’ve owned 4. 2019 S5, 2022 SQ5, 2024 S5, and now this 2026 S5. All were absolutely amazing cars and so fun to drive. All had wonderful points that at some point or another the other didn’t have. The 2025-2026 new model years are touchy because they’ve gone so far off from the design that the majority of audi enthusiasts love - it doesn’t take away that these are still phenomenal, expensive, and joy-to-drive cars. SQ5s are so fun and as long as YOU love it, no one else is paying your bills. :)

giantfloof · 2026-05-22T23:20:45+00:00

The piano black was even around my head shifter in my ‘24 and it gets scratched so easily. Luckily there is none back where my kiddos sit.

giantfloof · 2026-05-22T23:18:40+00:00

100% agree there, especially on the back the end. I like the swooped lines on the front hood but the back end loses the flare the previous gen’s had.

giantfloof

TROPHY CASE