2021 Audi RS 5 Review

Name: 2021 Audi RS 5 Review
Brand: Audi
Price: 56813 USD

+64

If all you care about are performance numbers, the RS 5 Sportback is impressive in the way it fires off the line and grips through turns. For those that want to feel engaged in the driving experience, the RS 5 Sportback may leave that desire unfulfilled. But in terms of comfort, quality and convenience, the Sportback easily makes the grade with a balance of sophistication and aggression.

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Audi RS 5 model years

Audi RS 5 for Sale

Audi RS 5 types

Hatchback
Coupe

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2021 Audi RS 5 Review

byKyle Fortune^{Correspondent
Kyle Fortune has worked in the automotive industry since 1999. UK-based, he’s worn out several Mac keyboards writing countless articles on cars, having tested thousands of vehicles over the course of his career. Kyle is a correspondent at Edmunds and has also written for Autocar, Auto Express, Evo, Car, Top Gear, Genroq and Total 911, among many others. He's also the author of McLaren: The Road Cars 2010-2014 book. When he’s not writing about cars, he’s a taxi driver for his three kids, enjoys his Peugeot 205 GTI, or is planning his next ski trip.}

Pros

Strong acceleration from turbocharged V6
Confident and capable handling
Well-finished cabin with excellent infotainment
Surprisingly comfortable ride

Cons

Sophisticated all-wheel-drive system can make the handling feel artificial
Powerful engine lacks character
Limited cabin storage and rear-seat headroom
Costly options required to experience it at its best

What's new

New Black Optic Launch Edition and Ascari Launch Edition packages
New infotainment system with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display
Revised front and rear styling
Part of the second RS 5 generation introduced for 2018

Overview

The Audi RS 5 might be the performance flagship of the Audi A5 range, but like its contemporary rivals, the BMW M4 and Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63, it's distinct enough from its more conventional relations to be considered a model in its own right. Power for the RS 5 comes from a turbocharged V6 engine that cranks out 444 horsepower. That's down a bit compared to the M4 and the AMG C 63, but the RS 5 offers plenty in compensation. Key to that are its looks inside and out. The RS 5's cabin is immaculately finished and rich in technology, while the exterior mixes brutish muscularity with classiness to tremendous effect.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi RS 5 2dr Coupe AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$263/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

The RS 5 comes as a coupe or as the RS 5 Sportback. This is a four-door hatchback and the model to get should you need extra practicality and passenger space. The RS 5 is the most sure-footed among its competition too, coming standard with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. So you can use more of its prodigious performance more of the time, and that usability and ease that comes with it are a huge part of its appeal. Overall, the RS 5 shines as a capable and hugely fast performance car, though we're disappointed it doesn't quite provide the same level of driver engagement as some of its rivals. Check out our Expert Rating below for the full details.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the RS 5 drive? The RS 5 turns in an impressive 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds and can pull a full g around the skidpad, which means high levels of road grip. Subjectively, it's missing some of the excitement expected of an RS car. In Sport mode, it transforms into a very dynamic performer, but it does so by using sophisticated differentials that simulate a neutral or even loose rear end, which ends up feeling artificial.

In normal driving modes, there's a significant lag before the engine spools up and starts moving the car. And after some spirited use in our tester, we found the brake pedal got noticeably soft and the front rotors emitted loud squeals.

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the RS 5? What the RS 5 surrenders in excitement it makes up for in touring comfort. The front seats offer great lateral support without being confining, and they're also shaped well for long-distance drives. The difference in ride quality between Comfort and Dynamic modes is very noticeable. In Dynamic mode, it gets much stiffer, yet it can maintain composure without riding harshly.

Likewise, the cabin remains quiet at high speeds and over rougher pavement. Road noise is present, but only just so. The engine and exhaust sound good off the bat and better in Dynamic mode, even if a bit synthetic. We're fairly certain the aural experience involves using the speakers to pipe in some of that sound.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The RS 5 uses Audi's last-generation interior design, which is much more user-friendly and less distracting. Unlike the newer layout, you get a good number of physical buttons, which means you won't have to dig through touchscreen menus. Every control is thoughtfully placed and has a solid and quality feel to it.

It's easy to access the front seats, and once there, it feels as though you're sitting just a bit tall for a sporty sedan. Rear passengers will likely have to stoop a little to clear the sleek profile of the rear roofline. Headroom is a bit snug back there. So is legroom due to tight toe space under the front seats. Visibility is good aside from a thick rear roof pillar that sits squarely in your over-the-shoulder view.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? Some people may prefer the RS 5's last-generation infotainment system more than the new version, as we do. The infotainment display is right in the driver's sight lines. And the dial controller is less distracting than a touchscreen to navigate menus with. Programmable shortcut buttons are a bonus amenity. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration systems are standard, and they booted up quickly and were glitch-free in our testing.

The adaptive cruise control functions well, with smooth reactions to changing traffic conditions. The front parking sensors can often be too sensitive, turning on while in bumper-to-bumper traffic. They're adjustable to some degree to reduce the beeps.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? The Sportback's hatch can hold up to 21.8 cubic feet, which is very useful for a sport sedan like this. The only thing missing back there are remote releases for the rear seatbacks. It's a long reach to fold them flat so some people may need to do so from the rear doors.

Up front, there are plenty of places to put your personal effects and we especially like the small tray that ably holds your phone. The door pockets and cupholders could stand to be a little bigger, though. All but the largest rear-facing infant seats should be accommodated with little effort.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the RS 5 at 20 mpg combined (18 city/25 highway), which is pretty good considering how fast it is. We saw 22.8 mpg on our highway-heavy evaluation loop. That seems to indicate that the EPA mileage estimates are realistic, which is always a nice thing.

Value

7.0/10

Is the RS 5 a good value? Audi's build quality is consistently top-notch, and the automaker manages to make a cabin look and feel special without going overboard. The RS 5's interior is no exception. Taking a look at the window sticker will bring you back to the reality of how much some nice things cost. Our as-tested cost crested $100,000, which we think is a lot considering that BMW's M5 and Mercedes-Benz’s E 63 are within the same ballpark and play in a difference performance league.

Audi's warranties are about par for the course, but they do provide the first scheduled service free of charge, which is more than what some others offer.

Wildcard

7.0/10

RS models from Audi have historically been the fiery and raucous beasts that dare you to explore their potential for performance. This RS 5 is fast, sure, but fun? In many ways, this is probably where the S5 should be in terms of engagement and excitement. We expected more.

That said, the RS 5 is sleek and sophisticated. It has the look of lurking aggression, even though it isn't fully realized. If your tastes trend more toward sporty touring than outright performance, it might fill that tiny niche perfectly.

Which RS 5 does Edmunds recommend?

The RS 5 is effectively a stand-alone model, so your first decision comes down to whether you want the coupe or the four-door hatchback. The coupe looks more the part of a high-performance car, but the hatchback is undeniably more versatile. Either way, we recommend you select the Dynamic package that adds an upgraded adaptive suspension as well as some visual enhancements such as red-painted brake calipers and black-tipped exhaust pipes.

2021 Audi RS 5 models

The Audi RS 5 is a high-performance model that is related to the A5 and S5, but its power and looks elevate its status to that of a stand-alone model. There is only one trim choice, in either RS 5 coupe or RS 5 Sportback form. Both are powered by the same 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 engine (444 horsepower, 442 lb-ft of torque) driving through an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Audi does offer a number of option packages for customers wanting to add equipment to the already extensive standard list.

RS 5
The RS 5 coupe and Sportback come with the following equipment highlights:

19-inch alloy wheels
Torque-vectoring rear differential (can enhance agility when cornering)
LED headlights
Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system
Heated front sports seats finished with contrasting red (honeycomb on Sportback) stitching and RS logos
Premium leather upholstery
Panoramic sunroof
Three-zone climate control
Selectable drive modes
Power trunk lid

Technology and safety features include:

10.1-inch touch display
Digital instrument panel
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

Optional features for the RS 5 include:

Dynamic package

Red brake calipers
RS sport suspension plus with adaptive suspension dampers
RS sport exhaust system with black tips

Black Optic Carbon package

20-inch alloy wheels
Carbon-fiber exterior mirror housings, rear lip and front spoiler
High-gloss black exterior elements

Black Optic package

20-inch bi-color alloy wheels
High-gloss black mirror housings, rear lip and front spoiler

RS Driver Assistance package

Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the RS 5 and the car in front)
Lane keeping assist (steers the RS 5 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the RS 5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Traffic sign recognition

Navigation package

Integrated navigation system
Audi Connect online communication services (subscription-based)

Side Assist package

Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)

Audi also offers the Black Optic Launch Edition and Ascari Launch Edition packages. These bundle many of the above option packages along with special styling and interior/exterior trim. Notably, the Ascari Launch Edition also has carbon-ceramic brakes and a higher top-speed limiter.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Audi RS 5.

5 (80%)

4 (13%)

3 (0%)

2 (0%)

1 (7%)

4.6

15 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Better than M4 and C63

Rick, 03/07/2019

2019 Audi RS 5 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

I have now had this car for a year and give you an accurate real world review, not the stupid reviews that every car magazine will give you Pros: Very fast Comfortable when not in dynamic mode. All wheel drive is amazing I like the stealth mode of Audi RS cars. Most people don’t know what they are and I like that. Plenty of room even in the back seat. Can fit 4 adults as long as the …

Great everyday performance car

McGregor, 12/20/2019

2019 Audi RS 5 quattro 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

I traded my 2017 S6 in for the RS5 Sportback as I wanted something more sporty. The S6 was great but a little two big and unwieldy for sporty driving. Overall I am happy with the RS5. It is a good size, looks fantastic and has excellent performance and handling. The AWD makes it a year round daily drive in the Northeast, something the M4/C63/Giulia Quadrifolglio do not offer at least for … now. The AWD is not the only feature that makes it more practical as a daily; the hatchback (sorry, sportback) makes it easy to load and unload large items. Also the ride comfort is significantly more tolerable than the competitors. With 19" wheels the ride is just as comfortable as an A4. I went with the base 19" wheels for a few reasons; cost, better ride, less weight, better looks (subjective), less likelihood of a /bent wheel, and better traction when equipped with winter tires. The ride/handling tradeoff is perfect with the 19s and Dynamic Package (DRC suspension). I leave the suspension is auto as it is not as bouncy as comfort but not as stiff as dynamic. The drivetrain is great as well but the engine could use a bit more character. It pulls hard and there is good power everywhere. Turbo lag is not bad but you do feel it for a split second when flooring it. The engine sound is not terrible but it is one of the few negative points about the driving experience. The C63 sounds much better, while the M4 sounds only slightly better. The 8 speed automatic is a great transmission. It upshifts and downshifts quickly and smoothly in comfort and auto while dynamic makes the shifts even quicker and more forceful.Having said that a dual clutch transmission would be even better and make the car more special as everyone seems to be using the same ZF 8 speed automatic now. Coincidentally Porsche uses this same engine in the Macan turbo with a dual clutch (PDK) so it's a shame Audi doesn't do the same. Gas mileage is unsurprisingly poor but the worst part is the range. With the small gas tank I am getting around 240 miles per tankful which is awful. The car desperately needs a larger tank. The interior quality and design are excellent as you would expect from Audi. Fit and finish is perfect and the material quality is outstanding. The seats are comfortable all day. The massage feature is a bit lame as it uses deflating/inflating air bladders instead of actual motors like it the A8. Instead they should offer comfort seats for people that want really comfortable seats with real massage. The virtual cockpit is cool but I would be fine with a traditional gauge cluster. The infotainment/nav screen is just stuck on the dash, not integrated like newer designs, and it doesn't even retract. I wish the moon roof was optional. It adds weight and comes with a retractable perforated screen that blocks most but not all of the sun. Plus when open the glass roof retracts outside of the car. I would have paid $1000 to delete the moon roof. Audi: make the moon roof an option. Another gripe about the interior is the glaring lack of storage compartments. There is very little space to store small items. Another storage issue: the owner's manual get stowed in the hatchback area, and the jack get strapped to the floor of the cargo area instead of in a cubby. Weird. Other than the few minor gripes I still feel it is the best vehicle in it's segment. Yes the others have slightly better track times and acceleration numbers but in the real world the RS5 is right there with them. Throw is wet or slippery roads and you can't even use 1/4 of the performance of the others. Even if the others had AWD I will still take the Audi. The M4 styling looks ridiculous, designed by a Fast and Furious attitude in mind. Plus the ride is harsh. The Alfa can be dismissed due to its abysmal reliability and poor interior quality. The C63 is nice but it rides firms and looks too similar to a C300/C43; not acceptable when paying $80k. Also the MCT transmission shifts very harsh. In summary, if you are looking for a practical everyday performance sedan/hatchback that delivers the goods, and does not beat you up, the RS5 is the only choice.

Beyond and ultimate driving machine!

William, 09/27/2019

2019 Audi RS 5 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

I’ve been driving BMWs for 15 years and this was my first Audi! It has surpassed ALL expectation! The seats are extremely comfortable. The drive modes provide a wide range of comfort and performance. If your more into a Lexus type ride, the comfort mode provides that while performance and handling under dynamic makes you feel you’re on the autobahn! I only wish I had bought one years …

RS5 Sportback exceptional at all things

HIGHFLIER, 07/23/2020

2019 Audi RS 5 quattro 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Fast, stealth, good handling, all wheel drive, good sounding exhaust, great looks and comfort to boot. With seats down fits 15 bags of mulch in the back, 10' boards with ease and most other items you would need and still able to seat 5 in a pinch and 4 in comfort. Jack of all trades and master of daily driving. On long trips this thing munches up highway relentlessly (and safely). …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Audi RS 5, so we've included reviews for other years of the RS 5 since its last redesign.

See all 15 reviews of the Audi RS 5

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2021 RS 5 Highlights

Type:

Hatchback

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$75,400
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$263/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	21.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the RS 5 models:

Audi Pre Sense City: Detects if a front collision is likely and warns you if you don't react quickly enough. Can also apply the brakes automatically.
Audi Active Lane Assist: Warns if you begin drifting out of your lane without signaling and nudges you back in line if you don't react.
Audi Side Assist: Informs you if vehicles are in your blind spots and audibly warns you if you attempt to change lanes.

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2021 Audi RS 5 Review

2021 Audi RS 5 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi RS 5 2dr Coupe AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which RS 5 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Audi RS 5 models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Audi RS 5.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Better than M4 and C63

Great everyday performance car

Beyond and ultimate driving machine!

RS5 Sportback exceptional at all things

2021 RS 5 Highlights

Safety

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2021 Audi RS 5 Review

2021 Audi RS 5 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi RS 5 2dr Coupe AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which RS 5 does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Audi RS 5 models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Better than M4 and C63

Great everyday performance car

Beyond and ultimate driving machine!

RS5 Sportback exceptional at all things

2021 RS 5 Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2021 Audi RS 5 info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Audi

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi RS 5 2dr Coupe AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.45 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}