Compare the2023 Ford MustangVS 2023 Audi S5

The Mustang 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the S5’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Mustang has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the S5.

The Mustang’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Mustang and the S5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Mustang 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the S5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the S5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 10 times as many Ford dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang’s warranty.

The Mustang has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The S5 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the car’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The Mustang GT’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 101 more horsepower (450 vs. 349) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Mustang Mach 1’s standard 5.0 DOHC V8 produces 121 more horsepower (470 vs. 349) and 41 lbs.-ft. more torque (410 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Mustang Fastback 10-speed Auto with its standard engine gets better fuel mileage than the S5 Coupe (22 city/32 hwy vs. 21 city/30 hwy).

The Mustang has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The S5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Mustang offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The S5 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Mustang, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the S5.

The Mustang Manual’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 S5 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Mustang V8 PP/Mach 1’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

The Mustang stops much shorter than the S5:

For better traction, the Mustang Mach 1’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S5 (F:305/30R19 & R:315/30R19 vs. 265/30R20).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang is 3.4 inches wider in the rear than on the S5.

The Mustang’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.6% to 45.4%) than the S5’s (56.7% to 43.3%). This gives the Mustang more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang GT Fastback handles at 1.13 G’s, while the S5 Prestige Coupe pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Mustang’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the S5’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The Ford Mustang may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 350 pounds less than the Audi S5.

The front grille of the Mustang (except Performance Pack) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The S5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Mustang Convertible uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The S5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Mustang Fastback has .2 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the S5 Coupe.

The Mustang Convertible has 3.8 inches more front legroom and 1 inch more front shoulder room than the S5 Cabriolet.

The Mustang Fastback has a much larger trunk than the S5 Coupe (13.5 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk with its top down than the S5 Cabriolet with its top down (11.4 vs. 7.3 cubic feet). The Mustang Convertible has a much larger trunk than the S5 Cabriolet with its top up (11.4 vs. 9.3 cubic feet).

The Mustang (except Mach 1) has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The S5 has no towing capacity.

The Mustang Auto has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The S5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Mustang Premium/Mach 1’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S5 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The S5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Mustang’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The S5’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Mustang will be $15206 to $29103 less than for the Audi S5.

The Mustang GT/Bullitt was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2019. The S5 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.