2023 Audi RS 7 Sedan

　　

2023 Audi RS 7 Review

byBrian WongSenior Reviews Editor

　　Brian Wong has worked in the automotive industry since 2010, writing over 1,000 car-related articles and testing and reviewing hundreds of vehicles over the course of career. Brian is a senior reviews editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Cars.com, Motor Authority and Green Car Reports. Brian has also been featured on MotorWeek as an expert for several car comparisons. He loves convertibles (the smaller the better) and hates paying for parking, so Los Angeles is both the right and wrong city for him.

　　, rating written byBrian WongSenior 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 When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.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 Audi RS 7 is Audi's weapons-grade high-performance sedan and it sits at the top of Audi’s RS range, along with the RS 6 wagon and the RS e-tron GT. The RS 7's strength is its versatility, providing thrills when you want them, solace and comfort when you don't, and plenty of utility with its large cargo area. Wrap all of that in some seriously attractive bodywork and you get a supersedan that's hard to ignore.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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

　　$276/mo  for RS 7 Base

　　RS 7 Base

　　4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $123,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　For 2023, the RS 7 will continue on with minimal changes, and take it from us, that's no bad thing. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 under the hood that makes 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, rocketing the sedan from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds in our testing. Audi says it will saunter to an electronically limited top speed of 190 mph — we don't doubt it.

　　A few optional extras that were introduced for 2022 like Audi's Dynamic Ride Control suspension and the RS Design kit will also carry over. Since the RS 7 is offered in just one trim level, these options do allow for a small measure of personalization. If you're more enthusiastic about driving, the optional suspension may be to your liking, but even the standard RS 7 is a great driver's car. If you're looking at the BMW M5 or Porsche Panamera GTS, be sure to take a spin in the RS 7 before you sign on the dotted line. Check out the Expert Rating below for our test team's full evaluation of the RS 7's capabilities.

　　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.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below