Burrcold

A few things I've noticed comparing my B9 2019 RS5 Sportback to my B9.5 2022 RS5 Sportback. Both had basically every option, so really this is purely like for like (from what I've noticed anyways). In no particular order...

1. Dynamic Steering - I really like this option, despite some people not thinking it felt natural. I didn't notice the variable ratios as much in the 2019 but I sure do in the 2022. It feels a little overboosted compared to the 2019 but more precise. The calibration must have changed. Not a huge change but something different for sure.

2. B&O Stereo - I would like to compare the speaker part numbers from year to year, because it sounds quite a bit different. Both are good, but I feel like the 2022 they may have worked out the sound scale a bit more (highs are crisp without ever getting cringy, and the lows seem to be able to get much lower). Definitely an improvement.

3. Exhaust - I'll reserve judgement until it's broken in but it sounds a good bit quieter in the cabin (not a good thing to me). They must be using more sound deadening material in the cabin, because it still sounds good from outside (despite the annoying soft limiter on the 2022).

4. Tires - Not really a year vs year comparison, but my 2019 had Hankook's and the 2022 has Continental. Hands down the Continental's ride more comfortable, quieter, and seemingly more stable. Can't speak to handling much as it's too cold here to test them out. Very impressed though.

5. Suspension - Okay I know The Straight Pipes just did review of the 2022 RS5 and said "it's still too bouncy" in Dynamic. I'm going to say that the suspension changes (no idea what Audi did) are the BIGGEST change to the way the RS5 feels (speaking only DRC not standard fixed suspension). I felt the 2019 was pretty comfortable in Comfort but still firm, and then it just got way too firm for me in Dynamic...even in Auto I found it crashy over expansion joints and pot holes. The 2022 Comfort mode is akin to the adaptive suspension I had in the 2019 S5. It is SO comfortable but totally compliant. Even Dynamic is not overly firm whatsoever, to the point where I think I can daily it in Dynamic unless I have passengers. Basically I've set my RS modes to 1) Everything in Dynamic 2) Everything in Dynamic, suspension in Comfort. I'll probably never use the drive mode selector anymore and just cycle through the two RS modes on the steering wheel.

6. Round Steering Wheel - I had the alcantara flat bottom on the 2019 and now the alcantara round wheel on the 2022. I'm 100% indifferent now and would probably order it the same way even if I had a choice. I think the airbag cover is slightly nicer, and it's nice to have a heated wheel, RS buttons, and the * button all on one wheel. I don't find it too big at all. That being said, I think the alcantara is helping its cause a lot...I don't think I would like the round wheel in leather. It's basically the same, but at least the alcantara makes it feel special.

7. Ceramic Brakes - Not much here other than my 2019 had silver calipers and the 2022 has blue ones. I was a bit hesitant going with blue against Nardo Grey paint, but man oh man are they vibrant and pop! Extremely happy and feels a bit different from all the red calipers I've had on prior Audi's or the silver ones on the 2019 RS5 that just seemed to blend in a little too much. These things look HUGE.

8. MMI - Love the new screens. Big, super crisp, amazing black levels, and a great UI. Don't mind the touch screen at all, however HATE the stupid empty bin on the center console. It's not a matter of just getting a cover for it either, it's the lack of illuminated scroll wheel and buttons at night. When you look down it's just so dark especially against the gloss black plastic. Overall happy but just wish they had left the scroll wheel to have two options of input like BMW has (for now). You also get the new "reverse runway" gauge selection as default in RS mode. I turned it off and went with the hockey stick looking tach.

9. Interior Build Quality - seems like they have ironed out a few areas (obviously they should have over 2-3 years). Everything still feels well put together, but as mentioned above I think they used more sound deadening because it feels a little quieter. Not that there was much wrong with the 2019 at all. One area that I thought was funny that Audi cheaped out on was the cigarette lighter plug things are just plastic now, they don't have the knurled surround that matches all of the rest of the buttons. No big deal, I just bought the old ones and popped them in.

10. Head up Display - I think this is a change from the 2021 models. You can now turn off the stupid lap timer that would come up in the head up display when an RS mode was selected (again I think this only affected the 2022 MY.

That's about all I can think of now. Winter tires are going on in 2 days, and then in for PPF, ceramic coating, and tint.

Here's a short video from delivery...hard to see the bright blue calipers but they're there!

Lord XL

Congrats. When did you take delivery? And what did you do with your '19? Did you trade it in or was it a lease at lease-end?

Burrcold

Thanks! Took delivery just a few days ago. Sold my 2019 back in April for more than I paid for it (crazy market), and ordered a 2022 in almost exactly the same spec.

JohnEnglish

As a FYI, I’ve been driving without a front plate since I got mine. I gone through RIDE checks, made u-turns in front of police, etc. and I’ve never been stopped once or had a police officer point it out.

Nikon1

@Burrcold — Quick — Change that rear plate frame . . . A Hyundai dealer . . .

Seriously, Congratulations on receiving your NEWEST Audi. Happy & Safe Motoring to you. Great first impressions write up!

— John

Burrcold

Haha thanks! It was just for transportation from one dealer to another (I use a broker). It was gone before I got there (broker sent that video).

DCB1951

Is the boomerang tachometer visible in the HUD?

TONY_82

I can't believe how much I like the blue calipers. I'm not sure if I would have ordered them "sight unseen" for that color combo but clearly it was the right call for my taste as well!

Burrcold

Good question, I'll have to check. I only have it set to my speed and traffic signs right now.

I did see an RS6 that was Nardo with the same blue calipers so I had some frame of reference, but things always vary on different cars.

SanDiegoS5CabB9-5

I recently did a similar write-up about my switch from a 2018 S5 Cab to a 2022 S5 Cab.

Regarding your points on the B&O stereo and the interior build quality/sound dampening, I could not agree more. The stereo is no longer borderline bad; I'd now rate it borderline excellent and the interior seems quieter and better screwed together. Part of it I'm sure is all new suspension components and tires but there seems to be more to it than just that.

A difference I recently noticed with the changes in nav from the previous generation are the street names in the HUD and also better representation of the road/intersections in the virtual cockpit.