Interior: Another nicely tailored interior from Audi with red accents on the seats and door panels signifying the S5 performance version of the coupe. Audi has been setting the tone for well-designed dashboards and controls, and this one continues the trend.

Nicely designed dashboard and controls highlight the S5's handsome interior. (Photo: Audi)

The rotating-knob system takes a little getting used to, but once mastered, it provides easy and complete control over all facets of the audio system, navigation and vehicle settings, nicely displayed on the video screen. The dual climate controls also manage with easy-to-use knob controls.

The front seats are roomy, comfortable and supportive, although I hate those federally mandated head restraints, which are set too far forward and tilt my head. Some other manufacturers are using active head restraints that work better, and a company with Audi’s refinement should adopt them. So there.

The rear seat is skimpy and should be reserved for kids or other tiny people.

Bottom line: The least expensive S5, the turbo-four model with front-wheel drive, is priced at $31,500 with stickshift, not a bad deal for such a nice piece. The upgraded, top-drawer version that I drove started at $53,600 and included a $2,500 package of navigation, rear-view camera, voice controls and upgraded trip computer; $750 for stainless trim; and $475 for pearl-effect paint.

With shipping, the S5 with V8 and Tiptronic came out to $58,150, which is a good chunk of change. But you do get a lot of style and substance for the price.

Details

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, two-door coupe, all-wheel drive.
Engine: 4.2-liter V8, 354 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, 325 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with Tiptronic.
Wheelbase: 108.3 inches.
Overall length: 182.5 inches.
Curb weight: 4,310 pounds.
EPA fuel mileage: 16 city, 24 highway.

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEEDtv.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or Speed Channel

Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEEDtv.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, who has driven and evaluated essentially every new vehicle sold in the United States. A lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle, he annually attends and writes about Arizona's famous January collector-car auctions, focusing on Scottsdale’s monumental Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event. SPEEDtv.com fans email veteran Automotive Editor Bob Golfen at