A5 vs S60
Cross-brand comparisons are where priorities show. Audi’s A5 and Volvo’s S60 target the same compact luxury car space in different ways. Think of it as a split decision: the A5 takes engine & performance, the S60 takes fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance A5 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range S60 wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance7.1
- Fuel Economy & Range4.6
- Engine & Performance5.3
- Fuel Economy & Range8.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The S60 has better fuel economy
If fuel economy (combined) is one of your priorities, this settles it: the S60 leads clearly with 30 mpg to the A5’s 26 mpg. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
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The A5 has 21 hp more power
Close, but not identical: the A5 lists 268 hp and the S60 lists 247 hp. The A5’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The S60 has better city fuel economy
The numbers aren’t close. The S60 lists 27 mpg for fuel economy (city), while the A5 lists 22 mpg. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
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The S60 has better highway fuel economy
A clear win for the S60: 36 mpg against 31 mpg. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
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The A5 has 37 lb-ft more torque
The gap on torque is slim (295 lb-ft against 258 lb-ft), yet it tips toward the A5. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
A5 leads
The A5 wins the engine & performance section decisively. Here the A5 offers 21 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. If engine & performance is your priority, the A5 is the car to pick.
Total system output
A5: 268 hp S60: 247 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Torque
A5: 295 lb-ft S60: 258 lb-ft The A5’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Fuel Economy & Range
S60 leads
For fuel economy & range, the verdict is easy: the S60 leads, and not by a little. The S60 pulls ahead with better fuel economy. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership. Weighing only fuel economy & range, the S60 comes out ahead.
Fuel economy (combined)
A5: 26 mpg S60: 30 mpg The S60 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
Fuel economy (city)
A5: 22 mpg S60: 27 mpg Hybrids often shine in the city, and the S60 has the better rating here.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Neither the A5 nor the S60 has a real advantage in the space & practicality category. Don’t let space & practicality decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The differences on off-road & towing are small enough to ignore in daily use. The takeaway: off-road & towing is not where these two differ.
Safety & Tech
This section is descriptive. The A5 and the S60 list different components for safety & tech, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A5 | S60 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas (48V mild hybrid) |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.0L turbo I4 |
| Total system output | 268 hp (winner) | 247 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft (winner) | 258 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A5 | S60 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 26 mpg | 30 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 22 mpg | 27 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 mpg | 36 mpg (winner) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A5 | S60 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A5 | S60 |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A5 | S60 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the A5 if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (268 hp vs 247 hp)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (295 lb-ft vs 258 lb-ft of torque)
- you’re comfortable with how Audi does things
Choose the S60 if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (30 mpg vs 26 mpg)
- you mostly drive in town (27 mpg vs 22 mpg in the city)
- you cover long highway distances (36 mpg vs 31 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the A5 or the S60?
Neither wins outright. Choose the A5 if engine & performance matters most, or the S60 if fuel economy & range does.
Executive Summary
Here’s the short version of how I’d choose between the A5 and the S60. I keep coming back to one thing: the A5 gets 21 hp more power. Credit where it’s due: the S60 offers better fuel economy.
The A5 is for you if engine & performance tops your list; the S60 is for you if fuel economy & range does.
My pick: I’d go with the A5 if I cared most about engine & performance, and the S60 if fuel economy & range mattered more.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.