Audi RS 5 2021 Review

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.

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.

Which RS 5 does MatoCar recommend?

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.