Compare the2024 Porsche 911VS 2024 Audi S5

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the 911 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The S5 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the 911 and the S5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 second among premium sporty cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The S5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 54 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 Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 11 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The 911’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (379 vs. 349) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The 911 S’ standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 94 more horsepower (443 vs. 349) and 21 lbs.-ft. more torque (390 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The 911 GTS/Dakar’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 124 more horsepower (473 vs. 349) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (420 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The 911 GT3’s standard 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder produces 153 more horsepower (502 vs. 349) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The 911 Turbo S’ standard 3.7 turbo 6-cylinder produces 291 more horsepower (640 vs. 349) and 221 lbs.-ft. more torque (590 vs. 369) than the S5’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche 911 is faster than the Audi S5 (automatics tested):

As tested in Car and Driver the 911 GT3 4.0 DOHC 6-cylinder is faster than the Audi S5 3.0 (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The S5 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The 911’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the S5 (16.9 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The 911’s optional fuel tank has 8.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the S5 (23.7 vs. 15.3 gallons).

The 911 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The S5 doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The 911 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The S5 doesn’t offer an SMG.

The 911 PDK’s optional 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 911 Turbo S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the S5:

The 911 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The S5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 911 stops much shorter than the S5:

For better traction, the 911 GT3 RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the S5 (F:275/30R20 & R:335/30R21 vs. 265/30R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 has standard 20-inch rear wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the S5. The 911’s optional 21-inch rear wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the S5.

The 911 (except Base/GT3) offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The S5 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 911 GT3 handles at 1.17 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 911 GT3’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the S5’s (34.1 feet vs. 37.7 feet). The 911’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the S5’s (36.8 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 600 pounds less than the Audi S5.

The 911 is 7 inches shorter than the S5, making the 911 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the 911 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 911 Coupe has .5 inches more front headroom and .9 inches more front legroom than the S5 Coupe.

The 911 Cabriolet has a much larger trunk with its top up than the S5 Cabriolet with its top up (10.4 vs. 9.3 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The 911’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and 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.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 911 (except Cabriolet/GT3) offers an optional rear wiper. The S5 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The 911 (except Manual/GT3)’s optional Active Parking Support can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Garage Pilot will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The S5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

The 911 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 first among premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The S5 isn’t in the top three.