2021 Audi RS 5 Review

　　

2021 Audi RS 5 Review

byKyle FortuneCorrespondent

　　Kyle Fortune is an automotive journalist at zzdcar.

　　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 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 $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$223/mo  for RS 5 Base

　　RS 5 Base

　　2dr Coupe AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $75,100 MSRP4dr Hatchback AWD (2.9L 6cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $75,400 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　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.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar 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

　　zzdcar 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 zzdcar 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 lidTechnology 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 elementsBlack Optic package

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

　　

2021 RS 5 Highlights

Type: HatchbackCoupeHatchback

　　

Base MSRP	$75,400
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$223/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	21.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles