2018 Audi RS 7 Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byJames Riswickzzdcar Contributor

　　James Riswick is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　

What’s new

　　The 2018 Audi RS 7 receives 21-inch wheels and a sport exhaust as standard equipment.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　Can a luxury sedan really accelerate to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds? If it's the 2018 Audi RS 7, most certainly. And that's the regular version. The Performance trim level, which packs 605 horsepower (up from 560 hp), should be even quicker.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Audi RS 7 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl 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 $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$255/mo  for RS 7 quattro

　　RS 7 quattro

　　quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) - $113,900 MSRPperformance quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $130,700 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　Beyond speed, however, the RS 7 offers the same virtues as the rest of its siblings in the A7 lineup. It's gorgeous for one, yet its hatchback body style offers a more versatile cargo area than a typical sedan. Its cabin is also suitably luxe even if it doesn't have Audi's latest tech interface. Setting the RS 7 apart, though, is special honeycomb-stitched leather upholstery and, on the Performance, available blue stitching and blue-accented carbon-fiber trim.

　　Quite simply, the 2018 Audi RS 7 is one of the most desirable cars you can buy. If you have the money and the desire, it's hard to imagine you'd be disappointed.

　　Notably, we picked the 2018 Audi RS 7 as one of zzdcar' Best Sports Sedans for this year.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　The 2018 Audi RS 7 offers the same virtues as the related A7 and S7, including a premium cabin and hatchback-based versatility, but builds on it with 560-horsepower V8. If you're looking for speed, style, luxury, refinement, speed, surprising practicality and even more speed, the RS 7 is an easy choice.

　　

Trim tested

　　zzdcar has only limited experience with the RS 7. The following is our first take on what's significant about it and what you can expect.

　　

Driving

　　The 560-hp RS 7 was already one of the quickest sedans in the world, and the 605-hp RS 7 Performance raises the bar further. It also gets a more sophisticated suspension and better brakes. Then again, the RS 7 is still pretty spectacular to drive without them.

　　

Comfort

　　Don't expect a plush ride with 21-inch wheels and a sport-tuned suspension, but the RS 7 doesn't beat you up either. Both front-seat choices are superb, though you must choose between extra bolstering (standard seats) and pampering (optional ventilated and massaging seats).

　　

Interior

　　The RS 7's interior is a beautiful, impeccably crafted place; it's just that there's less of it than in traditional sedans. Rear headroom is compromised, and there are only two seats. Beauty has its price.

　　

Utility

　　While the RS 7 might not be as friendly for people as regular sedans, it betters them when carrying stuff. The deep, highly accessible cargo area is more spacious and versatile than what others offer. You'd have to get a wagon to better it.

　　

Technology

　　The RS 7 does not yet offer Audi's latest MMI interface, including the Virtual Cockpit all-digital gauge display. That's OK, though, for as impressive as that system is, the older version in the A7 is still feature-rich and easy to use. Two USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

　　

Which RS 7 does zzdcar recommend?

　　Can you afford the Performance and its extra power, carbon-ceramic brakes and upgraded suspension? We're guessing you can, so although you certainly don't need it, you'll probably want it. We know we would.

　　

2018 Audi RS 7 models

　　The 2018 Audi RS 7 is a midsize high-performance four-door with a hatchback body style Audi dubs a "Sportback." Unlike the A7, which includes five seats, the RS 7 can only be had with a pair of individual rear sport seats. There are two trim levels, mostly differentiated by performance. The base RS 7 has a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 good for 560 hp and 516 pound-feet of torque, while the RS 7 Performance upgrades that engine to 605 hp with an overboost function that provides a temporary torque peak of 553 lb-ft. Both have an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive.

　　Standard features on the RS 7 include 21-inch wheels, summer tires, an adaptive sport-tuned air suspension, variable-ratio sport steering, a sport rear differential, LED headlights, automatic wipers, parking sensors, a basic collision mitigation system, blind-spot warning, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, a sunroof, a power liftgate, and keyless ignition and entry.

　　Inside, you get four-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power front sport seats with four-way lumbar, heating and driver seat memory, leather upholstery featuring special RS honeycomb stitching, a power-adjustable sport steering wheel, a head-up display, a rearview camera and a corner-view camera system. Also included: an Audi MMI electronics interface (8-inch display, knob controller, touchpad), a navigation system, voice controls, Bluetooth, Audi Connect services, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system. The Black Optic package adds high-gloss exterior trim to the base RS 7 and a front spoiler and rear diffuser made of carbon fiber.

　　The RS 7 Performance gains more power, carbon-ceramic brakes, Dynamic Ride Control (a mechanical damping system that reduces body roll and pitch around corners), 21-inch cast-aluminum wheels, a different bumper design, gloss-black grille surround, black tailpipes and carbon-fiber mirror housings. An Audi Sport Titanium exhaust is an exclusive option to the Performance.

　　Options available on both versions include the Driver Assistance package, which adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, a forward collision warning and automatic braking system (Pre Sense Plus), lane keeping assist and automatic high beams. The Cold Weather package adds heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. The Comfort Seating package swaps out the standard sport seats for less aggressively bolstered front and rear seats (effectively from the A7) and gains front-seat ventilation, massage functionality, memory settings for the passenger, and leather upholstery without the RS honeycomb pattern. Other options include night vision assist, rear side airbags, a black faux suede headliner, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system upgrade.

　　

2018 RS 7 Highlights

Trim: quattroperformance quattroquattro

　　

Base MSRP	$113,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$255/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	24.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles