2021 Audi RS 7 Review

　　

2021 Audi RS 7 Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The high-performance luxury sedan isn't exactly a new concept. Models such as the BMW M5 and AMG versions of the Mercedes E-Class have been around for decades. And yet we have to give credit to Audi for putting its own distinctive spin on this class with the new 2021 RS 7. It all starts as an A7, which is Audi's fastback version of the midsize A6 sedan. From there Audi gives it the full RS treatment, including a muscular turbocharged V8 good for 591 horsepower, a specially tuned air suspension, optional carbon-ceramic brakes, and flared fenders covering 21-inch wheels with summer tires.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi RS 7 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 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

　　$260/mo  for RS 7 Base

　　RS 7 Base

　　4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $114,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　How well does it all work? Well, the RS 7 can show its taillights to just about anything. And thanks to its standard all-wheel drive, it can deploy most of its considerable power in a variety of conditions. Plus, to paraphrase a line from Steve Carell's character in The 40-Year-Old Virgin, the RS 7's got a big trunk and you can put your bike in it. But, hmm, how much of a buzzkill is the RS 7's dual-screen infotainment system? Read about that and a lot more by checking our Expert Rating below.

　　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.

　　Great

　　8.5

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

9.0/10

　　How does the RS 7 drive? Getting to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds is fast no matter what kind of car you're driving. But doing it in the 4,800-pound RS 7 makes it that much more incredible. Thanks to its all-wheel-drive system, the RS 7 can fully deploy its 591 horsepower from a stop, which only adds to the practicality of its massive performance. And thanks to its broad powerband, the RS 7 is also remarkably relaxing to drive in everyday traffic. Ample passing power is readily available.

　　Just as incredible as the acceleration is the RS 7's handling. It pulled 1.0 g on our skid pad and out on real roads will likely leave most sports cars in the dust. Our test car had the optional carbon-ceramic brakes, and they hauled it down from 60 mph in just 107 feet and exhibited no fade during a fair bit of enthusiastic driving. The capability of the RS 7 is nothing short of stunning.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the RS 7? You'd be right to assume the RS 7 has driven comfort into the ditch in the name of mondo performance, but you'd be dead wrong. In spite of its 22-inch wheels, the RS 7's optional adaptive air suspension delivers a ride that borders on supple. And as aggressive as the RS seats look, they afford long-haul comfort with supple leather and padding that can almost be described as plush.

　　Adding to the impressive levels of comfort in the RS 7 is the near utter lack of road or wind noise. Even those aforementioned 22-inch wheels and aggressive summer tires don't make enough noise to disturb the occupants. Our test car was fitted with the optional sport exhaust. But instead of emitting obnoxious pops and bangs, it offered a muffled bassy roar even in its most aggressive setting.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Audi's obsession over well-integrated technology shows up in the new RS 7. The cockpit is low-slung and surrounds its occupants with tightly drawn leather, precision stitching, and one of the most tech-forward interiors in the business. Because the RS 7 is a larger luxury car, four adults can find plenty of space. Only taller rear passengers might want for a bit more headroom.

　　Curiously, the RS 7's steering wheel is simply too large. While other cars from Audi offer flat-bottom steering wheels, the one in the RS 7 feels huge and either blocks part of the instrument panel or is simply too high when adjusted to clear the display. The RS 7's Virtual Cockpit, Audi's fully digital and reconfigurable instrument panel, can get cluttered with too much, even seemingly unimportant, information. Keeping it simple worked best for us. The climate control screen takes extra glances and extra time to get what you want out of it.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Audi's newest generation of its infotainment interface is front and center. At 10.1 inches, the main screen takes up a sizable chunk of the dashboard. Stylish and crisp graphics make it attractive and fit right in with the RS 7's aesthetic. The system does have a steep learning curve, but it's fairly customizable and reacts quickly to commands. Our only real complaint is, when off, the screens look smudged and full of fingerprints.

　　The standard audio system is more than adequate but falls a bit short of audio systems in other German luxury cars. There is an optional Bang & Olufsen system that might compare better against its rivals. Wireless Apple CarPlay is a nice feature, but Android users will have to settle for the quick-connecting Bluetooth option. Surround-view cameras with highly accurate parking sensors are standard and much appreciated. We had no issues with the adaptive cruise and lane keeping systems — except that they're optional at this price point.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Remind us again why more people don't buy hatchbacks? The RS 7's 24.6 cubic feet of cargo space makes it eminently practical. And when combined with its low load floor and 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, the RS 7 could easily swallow a bicycle or two. For comparison, the similar hatchback-style Porsche Panamera only manages to offer 17.6 cubic feet of capacity. Coupe-style sedan competitors such as the M8 Gran Coupe and the Mercedes-AMG GT offer even less.

　　Unfortunately, interior storage isn't nearly as impressive. There's no cubby ahead of the shifter, and the center console bin is shallow. For everyday items, the cupholder will have to do most of the heavy lifting. Got kids? Thanks to wide-opening rear doors and plenty of rear legroom, installing a child safety seat in the RS 7 should be a breeze.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the RS 7 gets 17 mpg combined (15 city/22 highway). You can expect even less than that if you drive it with some gusto. Over our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, the RS 7 returned a credible 19.6 mpg. Traffic was particularly light due to the pandemic, but it's still a good indication the RS 7 can match its economy estimates if driven with some restraint.

　　

Value

8.0/10

　　Is the RS 7 a good value? In a word, yes. Starting at around $115,000, the Audi RS 7 undercuts the BMW M8 Gran Coupe by nearly $15K and the Porsche Panamera Turbo by nearly $40K. Our well-appointed test car was priced around $137,000, and we'd be hard-pressed to explain why its competitors ask for so much more money. The RS 7's build quality is unassailable, and every seam, surface and detail are worthy of the price.

　　Audi's limited and powertrain warranties are average in terms of length. Roadside assistance is offered for four years with unlimited mileage, but BMW has the edge on the Audi, providing three years of free scheduled maintenance.

　　

Wildcard

9.5/10

　　To the casual motorist, the Audi RS 7 will look like nothing more than a really long hatchback. But to the discerning enthusiast, the RS 7's flared fenders, big wheels and menacing styling make it look like a wolf in ill-fitting sheep's clothing. The owner, however, will know the RS 7 to be one of the most refined, well-rounded and devastatingly fast performance sedans on the market. And, as a bonus, that hatchback body style adds a big dose of practicality.

　　

Which RS 7 does zzdcar recommend?

The Audi RS 7 doesn't have any trim levels to choose from and comes fairly well equipped as it is. Of the available options and packages, we'd spend our money on the Driver Assistance package for the full-speed adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic assist as well as the sport exhaust and the impressively capable carbon-ceramic brakes.

　　

2021 Audi RS 7 models

The 2021 Audi RS 7 is an ultra-fast sedan powered by a 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 (591 horsepower, 590 lb-ft) mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard all-wheel drive. Other than choosing a color, only a few options and packages are available. Highlighted standard features include:

　　RS 7

　　The RS 7 comes very well equipped from the get-go. Standard features include:

　　21-inch wheels with summer performance tires Sport-tuned differential for improved traction All-wheel steering (improves high-speed stability and shortens turning radius to ease parking) Sport-tuned adaptive air suspension Matrix LED headlights Hands-free cargo hatch Panoramic sunroof Keyless entry and ignitionInterior and technology features include:

　　Leather upholstery Heated and ventilated power-adjustable front sport seats Power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel Digital instrument cluster (Audi Virtual Cockpit) Four-zone automatic climate control Dual touchscreen displays (10.1-inch top and 8.6-inch lower) with navigation Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay Wireless charging pad with phone signal booster Bang & Olufsen audio system Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the RS 7 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)The RS 7 is available with a handful of options. These include:

　　Side Assist package Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Driver Assistance package Features of the Side Assist package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Audi and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) RS 7 Executive package Additional leather trim Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Heated rear seats Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut) Individual Contour Seat package Front seats with massaging functions Passenger seat with memory function Upgraded leather seating surfaces Upgraded Bang & Olufsen audio system Carbon-ceramic brakes (improve high-performance braking) Black Optic and Carbon Optic styling packages Sport exhaust Night vision (uses advanced cameras to aid in low-light visibility) Upgraded audio system

　　

2021 RS 7 Highlights

　　

Base MSRP	$114,000
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$260/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	24.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles