We drove the $65,000 Audi S5 Coupe - and it's pretty much flawless

In recent years, Audi interiors have been an exercise in minimalist chic. It's a design aesthetic that we've come to appreciate here at Business Insider.

The understated feel of the S5's exterior continues inside the cabin. It's attractive and luxurious without verging on the tacky and overdone. The material quality is excellent. We were particularly impressed by the Fine Nappa leather upholstery and metallic inlays.

The most prominent feature is Audi's stunning 12.3-inch virtual cockpit instrument display. The revolutionary system allows the instrument cluster to be reconfigured to the liking of the driver.

Our test car was also equipped with an 8.3-inch center console mounted display running the latest version of Audi MMI infotainment system. Audi MMI is generally considered to be one of, if not, the best infotainment system in the world. The rotary dial-based control system is easy to use while the system's menu is intuitively designed.

The optional 19 speakers Bang & Olufsen sound system delivered stellar sound quality.

The standard A5 Coupe is powered by a 252 horsepower version of VW Group's trusty 2.0-liter, turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. It's the same powerplant we experienced in the A4 sedan that really impressed us with its smooth power delivery and no-nonsense performance.

The S5 gets a hotter powerplant. Under the hood, our test car was equipped with a 3.0-liter, V6 augmented by a twin-scroll turbocharger producing 354 horsepower. The direct-injected V6, shared with the SQ5 performance crossover, is gutsy and delivers great low-end acceleration.

A good trait to have in a high-performance sports coupe.

Those looking for more oomph can opt for the red-hot RS5 Coupe which is powered by an all-new 450 horsepower, 2.9-liter, biturbo V6 shared with the Porsche Panamera 4S.

On the roads in and around Atlanta, the S5 aced every obstacle we put in front of it from gridlock airport traffic to the winding roads at in the foothills of Appalachian Mountains.

On the road, the S5 is pure, unadulterated GT car. It embodies all the best attributes of a grand tourer; powerful engine, well-balanced chassis, comfortable ride, and luxurious cabin.

Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi's award-winning quattro all-wheel-drive system, the S5 can hit 62 mph in a manufacturer-claimed time of 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph.

To drive, the S5 feels quick and light on its feet. Power delivery is smooth, linear, and always manageable. The ride is stiff enough to deliver confident handling around the corners but doesn't compromise passenger comfort.

The Audi S5 is a terrific car. If you're looking for a bonafide grand touring coupe, this one ticks off all of the boxes. The S5 is powerful with loads of power in reserve for high-speed passing. It rides on rails through the twisty bit while maintaining exceptional levels of comfort. The cabin is luxuriously appointed and loaded with tech.

However, all of this Audi awesomeness comes at a fairly steep price. Even though the S5 starts at $54,600, just a handful of options pushed that figure up to nearly $65,000.

Apart from the price tag, there isn't a whole lot to gripe about. And even then it could be argued that the such a lofty price point is justified because that's roughly what it costs to get behind the wheel of one of Audi's Teutonic rivals.

As a vehicle, the S5 does everything that's asked of a vehicle in this genre. And does so exceptionally well. Unfortunately for Audi, the market for compact luxury as a whole is on the decline. As a result, the 2018 Audi S5 Coupe will be destined for life a niche product.