Compare the2024 Audi S5VS 2023 Mercedes AMG E-Class Cabriolet

The Audi S5 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps 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 AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 AMG E-Class Cabriolet 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the S5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The S5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG E-Class Cabriolet.

Both the S5 and the AMG E-Class Cabriolet have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the S5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet has not been tested, yet.

The S5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s (12 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 18 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi S5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The AMG E-Class Cabriolet requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

For better traction, the S5 has larger standard tires than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet (255/35R19 vs. 245/40R19). The S5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG E-Class Cabriolet (265/30R20 vs. 245/40R19).

The S5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s standard 40 series front tires. The S5’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s optional 35 series front tires.

The S5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the AMG E-Class Cabriolet; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the AMG E-Class Cabriolet don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For better maneuverability, the S5’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s (37.7 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Audi S5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 750 pounds less than the Mercedes AMG E-Class Cabriolet.

The S5 is 5.7 inches shorter than the AMG E-Class Cabriolet, making the S5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the S5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 16% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Laser headlights, standard on the S5 Prestige, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the AMG E-Class Cabriolet’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S5 has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The S5 has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The AMG E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.