So often it feels like there’s a tipping scale between practicality and performance. Many find their own way to balance those scales, including Audi with the 2022 S5 Sportback.

Putting practicality first, the S5 is traditionally configured as a two-door coupe or a drop-top cabriolet, but the Sportback moniker adds two extra doors in a “coupe-ish” profile with a large rear hatch for easier access. The result is an impressive 35.1-inches of rear legroom and 21.8 cubic-feet of cargo storage, expandable to 35 cubic-feet with the 40/20/40 folding seats down. The heated “S sport” leather front seats are as comfortable as they are adjustable. That is, very, with eight-way adjustability and power lumbar.

Second row occupants are also pampered thanks to a three-zone climate control system, and everyone can enjoy the sounds from the available B&O audio system. That’s managed through the 10-inch infotainment screen, complimented by the 12.3-inch virtual cockpit display.

Speaking of sound, the S5 Sportback plays a symphony of its own-- and this is where we get into the performance.

The satisfying exhaust resonance is produced by a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine, echoing the tune of 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to the 8-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, it’s capable of a 4.5-second 0-to-60 time and a top speed of 155 miles-per-hour. Sport suspension and available adaptive dampers help keep the Sportback on your chosen line through the corners.

The S5 Sportback is wrapped up in an unmistakable Audi design; our tester came with the Black Optic package, which rode on 20-inch wheels and threw in various black trimmings.

The 2022 Audi S5 Sportback managed to balance the performance/practicality scale in our books, shedding light on its just over $55,000 starting MSRP.