Audi RS5
Used Car Review

Overview

Thinking about a performance coupe that doesn’t compromise on luxury? The Audi RS5 might be exactly what you’re looking for. This high performance variant of the A5 range delivers blistering pace wrapped in sophisticated Audi refinement. It’s the car for drivers who want genuine supercar performance without sacrificing everyday usability or premium comfort.

From the moment you see it, the RS5 commands attention. Its aggressive styling cues, including the distinctive honeycomb grille and flared wheel arches, mark it out as something special. The quad exhaust pipes and subtle RS badging hint at the serious performance potential beneath. But this isn’t just about looking fast. Rivals like the BMW M4 or Mercedes-AMG C63 offer similar performance, but few match the RS5’s blend of raw power and refined luxury.

Driving the RS5 is an intoxicating experience. The twin turbo V6 engine delivers devastating acceleration, yet remains surprisingly docile in everyday driving. The quattro all wheel drive system provides immense grip and confidence, making this a genuine all weather supercar. While the price tag places it firmly in premium territory, you’re getting a masterfully engineered machine that excels as both a weekend track toy and a comfortable grand tourer.

How Does the Audi RS5 Drive?

The Audi RS5 is all about delivering exhilarating performance in a refined package. The heart of the beast is a 2.9 litre twin turbocharged V6 engine producing 450 horsepower and 600Nm of torque. This translates to genuinely supercar quick acceleration, with 0 to 60mph dispatched in just 3.7 seconds. The quattro all wheel drive system ensures all that power reaches the road effectively, providing incredible traction in all weather conditions.

Where the RS5 truly excels is in its character versatility. In Comfort mode, it’s a serene grand tourer with smooth power delivery and comfortable ride quality. Switch to Dynamic mode and it transforms into an aggressive performance machine with sharper throttle response, more aggressive exhaust note, and firmer suspension. The sport differential and adaptive suspension work together to provide exceptional handling precision while maintaining remarkable composure over rough surfaces. This makes it a genuinely usable performance coupe that you can drive every day.

Inside the Audi RS5: Comfort & Features

Step inside the RS5 and you’re greeted by one of the finest interiors in its class. The cabin perfectly balances sporty intent with luxury comfort. The RS sport seats are superbly supportive, holding you securely during spirited driving while remaining comfortable on longer journeys. High quality materials are used throughout, from the soft leather surfaces to the carbon fibre trim elements. The flat bottomed steering wheel feels perfectly weighted and features the RS mode button for instant access to your preferred driving settings.

The infotainment system is crisp and responsive, featuring the latest MMI interface with smartphone integration. The Virtual Cockpit display is particularly impressive, allowing you to customise the information displayed according to your preferences. Road and wind noise are well controlled, creating a refined environment that doesn’t tire you on longer drives. The rear seats, while snug, can accommodate adults for shorter journeys. Climate control is excellent, with effective air conditioning and heated seats as standard. This is a genuinely premium environment that reinforces the RS5’s positioning as a luxury performance car.

The Audi RS5 is a compelling choice for drivers who want serious performance without sacrificing luxury or everyday usability. It successfully combines devastating acceleration with refined comfort, creating a genuinely usable supercar. The build quality is exceptional, the interior is beautifully crafted, and the driving experience ranges from relaxed cruising to track focused excitement at the touch of a button. The main drawbacks are the high running costs and limited rear seat space. It’s also not the most engaging car to drive at the limit, preferring composed competence over raw excitement. However, for most buyers, these compromises are easily outweighed by the RS5’s strengths. If you want a performance coupe that you can use every day, in all weather conditions, with genuine luxury and impressive capability, the RS5 deserves serious consideration. It proves that you can have your cake and eat it too in the performance car world.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

How Much Does It Cost to Run an Audi RS5?

As a high performance luxury coupe, the RS5 comes with premium running costs that reflect its capabilities. Fuel economy is the main consideration, with real world consumption averaging around 25 to 30 mpg depending on your driving style. The powerful engine and performance focus mean you’ll spend more at fuel stations than with a conventional car. Insurance costs will be high due to the car’s performance and value, typically falling into the highest insurance groups.

The purchase price positions the RS5 as a serious investment, with new models starting around £75,000 and well specified examples easily exceeding £85,000. However, car finance options can make ownership more accessible through manageable monthly payments. Servicing costs at Audi dealerships will be significant, but the build quality is excellent and reliability is generally strong. Parts and labour aren’t cheap, but you’re paying for precision engineering and performance. When considering total ownership costs, the RS5 represents reasonable value in the high performance coupe segment, especially given its exceptional capability.

Is the Audi RS5 Practical for Everyday Use?

For a performance coupe, the Audi RS5 offers surprisingly good practicality. The 465 litre boot is generous for the class, easily accommodating weekend luggage or a weekly shopping trip. The loading aperture is well shaped, and the rear seats fold to extend cargo capacity when needed. Inside the cabin, you’ll find adequate storage for everyday items, including door pockets, cup holders, and a decent sized glovebox.

Where the RS5 shows its coupe limitations is in rear passenger space. While adults can fit for shorter journeys, legroom and headroom are tight compared to a saloon. For couples or those who rarely carry rear passengers, this isn’t a significant issue. The RS5 works brilliantly as a two person grand tourer, offering enough space for extended trips while delivering genuine everyday usability. Compared to other used Audi cars, it strikes an excellent balance between performance focus and practical capability, making it a surprisingly versatile choice in the luxury performance segment.

The Audi RS5 stands out in the competitive performance coupe market by offering genuine supercar performance with luxury car refinement. It packages devastating acceleration, advanced all wheel drive technology, and impeccable build quality into a practical and usable package. While it may not be the most exciting car to drive at the absolute limit, it excels in areas that matter for real world ownership.

You choose the RS5 because you want serious performance without the compromises that usually come with it. Its ability to transform from comfortable cruiser to track focused weapon makes every journey more engaging. It’s perfectly suited for drivers who appreciate engineering excellence and want a car that delivers on multiple levels. For those seeking a performance coupe that offers both thrills and practicality, especially when considering cars under £10,000 for trade in value, the RS5 represents an outstanding choice in the luxury performance segment.