Compare the2026 Audi S5VS 2026 Subaru WRX

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The S5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The WRX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the S5 and WRX have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The S5 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The WRX’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Audi S5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The WRX doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The S5 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The WRX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Audi S5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Subaru WRX has not been tested.

The S5 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The WRX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The S5 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The WRX doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

The S5 has a standard Top View Camera System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The WRX only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

The S5 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the WRX Premium/Limited/GT/tS/Series.Yellow offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the S5 has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Assist and Automatic Brake Activation automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the WRX Premium/Limited/GT/tS/Series.Yellow offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the WRX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the S5 and the WRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The Audi S5 weighs 728 to 937 pounds more than the Subaru WRX. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the S5 is much safer than the WRX:

	S5	WRX
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	360/112 pounds	584/629 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	POOR

The Audi S5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The WRX is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The S5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The WRX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The S5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the WRX’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Engine

The S5’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 91 more horsepower (362 vs. 271) and 148 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the S5 gets better mileage than the WRX:

			MPG
S5
	Auto	3.0 turbo V6	20 city/29 hwy
WRX
	Manual	2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/26 hwy
	Auto	2.4 turbo flat-4	18 city/25 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the S5’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The WRX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi S5 higher (4 out of 10) than the Subaru WRX (2). This means the S5 produces up to 15.6 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the WRX every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Audi S5 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the WRX.

The S5 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is more internally efficient than a CVT but just as easy to drive. The WRX doesn’t offer an SMG.

The S5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The WRX doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the S5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the WRX:

	S5	WRX	WRX tS/Series.Yellow
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	12.4 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	11.4 inches	12.8 inches

The S5 stops shorter than the WRX:

	S5	WRX
60 to 0 MPH	106 feet	112 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the S5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the WRX. The S5’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the WRX tS/Series.Yellow.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires optional on the S5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The WRX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The S5 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The S5’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The WRX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the S5’s wheelbase is 8.8 inches longer than on the WRX (114 inches vs. 105.2 inches).

The S5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the WRX tS (24.7 seconds @ .8 average G’s vs. 25.3 seconds @ .76 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The S5 has .2 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear headroom than the WRX.

Cargo Capacity

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the S5’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The WRX doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the S5, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The WRX doesn’t offer a memory system.

The S5’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The WRX doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The S5 (except Premium) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction, infotainment and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The WRX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The S5’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The WRX has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the S5 and the WRX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the S5 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The WRX prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The S5’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The WRX’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the S5 the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the WRX can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The S5’s standard Audi Advanced Key allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access and Start standard on the WRX doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The S5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The WRX’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the S5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The WRX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side window, the S5 has a standard extendable sun visor. The WRX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the S5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The WRX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The S5’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the WRX Premium/Limited/GT/tS/Series.Yellow.

When the S5 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The WRX’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Audi S5 and Subaru WRX offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The S5 features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the WRX’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The S5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the WRX Premium/Limited/GT/tS/Series.Yellow. The S5 Prestige also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the WRX.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the S5 (except Premium) keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The WRX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the S5’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The WRX doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The S5 (except Premium) offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the WRX.

Both the S5 and the WRX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the S5 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The WRX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Audi S5 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Subaru charges extra for Homelink® on the WRX.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi S5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The WRX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The S5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The WRX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the Subaru WRX by 54% during 2025.

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