Overview
Audi’s shapely Sportback achieves peak efficiency in RS5 guise, which is powered by a 444-hp twin-turbo V-6 and stands above the 349-hp S5 Sportback and the four-cylinder A5 variant. The Sportback designation is your trace that this four-door would not include a sedan’s trunk however with a hatchback as an alternative. The additional doorways and that versatile hatch give this RS5 a higher measure of practicality in comparison with the RS5 two-door coupe (a model we assessment individually). Both RS5 pairs its high-strung V-6 completely with an eight-speed computerized and all-wheel drive. The RS5 delivers way more cornering prowess and accelerative thrust than its lesser stablemates, however its driving demeanor will be extra medical than involving, particularly in contrast with max-performance four-doors from BMW and Alfa Romeo. The Competitors bundle that arrived final 12 months, nevertheless, goes a way towards addressing that shortfall.
What’s New for 2024?
The RS5’s customary gear listing grows to incorporate adaptive cruise management, lively lane help, and park help. Carbon-ceramic brakes, previously included with the Competitors model, are presently unavailable, nevertheless. The non-compulsory navigation system provides traffic-sign recognition together with six months of Audi Join Plus, which integrates outdoors apps into the multimedia interface. Progressive Purple metallic replaces Tango Purple metallic, in any other case the colour decisions stay the identical.
Pricing and Which One to Purchase
The Competitors model (truly an possibility bundle) now instructions a $10,300 upcharge, considerably lower than it did final 12 months. At that worth, we’re persuaded. The Competitors model is extra involving than the usual model, even when the additional scratch would not get you a bump in horsepower. It does have a extra vocal engine word, due to its sport exhaust system (additionally obtainable individually) and lowered sound deadening. The bundle additionally ups involvement with Sport Direct steering, and its firmer suspension affords handbook ride-height adjustment. We might additionally spring for the RS Driver Help bundle ($1500) to be able to web the head-up show and surround-view digicam system, and for $500 we might add blind-spot monitoring (Audi’s Aspect Help bundle).
Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency
The RS5 Sportback’s sole engine selection is a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 that makes 444 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with a paddle-shifted eight-speed computerized transmission that routes that torque to all 4 wheels. Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system not solely maximizes traction, but additionally can direct extra torque to the rear wheels when wanted. Our first drive revealed that the automobile is secure at autobahn speeds and a hoot to hustle round corners, with well-controlled physique motions and predictable dealing with. The adaptive dampers present a clean experience in all however the sportiest Dynamic setting. We additionally examined the RS5 Sportback on the observe, the place it hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. That exhibits that the RS5 can dangle with the extra highly effective 505-hp Alfa Romeo Giulia QF and 503-hp BMW M3 Competitors, at the very least as much as 60 mph, although these two pull forward by the quarter-mile mark. Credit score the Audi’s all-wheel-drive traction benefit off the road relative to the rear-drive Alfa and Bimmer.
Gasoline Financial system and Actual-World MPG
The RS5 Sportback will get an EPA-estimated 18 mpg within the metropolis and 25 mpg on the freeway. Evaluate that with the Giulia QF’s scores of 17 mpg metropolis and 25 freeway, in addition to the M3 sedan’s 16 mpg metropolis and 23 freeway. The final RS5 Sportback we ran on our 75-mph freeway route—a part of our intensive testing routine—earned 26 mpg. For extra details about the RS5 Sportback’s gas financial system, go to the EPA’s web site.
Inside, Consolation, and Cargo
Inside, the RS5 Sportback exhibits off the corporate’s usually refined design and exemplary construct high quality. The driving force faces a good-looking flat-bottom steering wheel, behind which sits a big 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. A pair of stubby paddle shifters is mounted on the wheel, ought to you’ve gotten the sudden want to drop a gear or two and cost into your favourite set of esses. The RS5’s cabin can be highlighted by intricately stitched seats that characteristic heated and cooled surfaces, energy aspect bolsters, in addition to massaging features. The automobile’s prolonged roster of ordinary gear contains ambient inside lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and three-zone local weather management. Those that need even fancier facilities can go for the RS Design bundle, which substitutes Alcantara for the usual nappa leather-based and livens up the cabin with purple highlights. After all, the Sportback’s longer dimensions and 4 doorways make it a extra sensible different to the RS5 coupe. The Sportback’s rear seat is roomy sufficient for 2, however the BMW M3 has superior rear-seat lodging. The hatch physique gives extra cargo house than the coupe and higher versatility than competing sedans.
Infotainment and Connectivity
In contrast to the brand new MMI infotainment interfaces featured within the Audi RS7 and RS Q8 crossover, which have twin touchscreens entombed of their dashboards and heart consoles, the RS5 Sportback has a single 10.1-inch touchscreen that protrudes from the center of its sprint. Not solely is it greater than the 8.3-inch show it replaces, however the brand new system is now not manipulated by way of the rotary controller and touchpad that after lived on the automobile’s heart console. Regardless of the swap to largely touch-sensitive controls, the setup responds shortly and has massive icons which might be simple to activate with out a lot distraction. Each model comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, plus wi-fi charging. Navigation and a extra highly effective Bang & Olufsen stereo are non-compulsory.
Security and Driver-Help Options
The four-door hatchback comes customary with a number of driver-assistance know-how options, blind-spot monitoring and self-parking help price further.
For extra details about the RS5 Sportback’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embody:
- Customary forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking
- Customary adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality
- Customary lane-departure warning and lane-keeping help
Guarantee and Upkeep Protection
Audi has aggressive restricted and powertrain warranties that align with high-performance luxurious rivals from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
- Restricted guarantee covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain guarantee covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled upkeep
Specs
Specs
2023 Audi RS5 Competitors
Car Sort: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe or 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base: Coupe, $93,595; Sportback, $93,895
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct gas injection
Displacement: 177 in3, 2894 cm3
Energy: 444 hp @ 6700 rpm
Torque: 443 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed computerized
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.9-111.3 in
Size: 185.9-188.3 in
Width: 73.5 in
Top: 54.0-55.1 in
Passenger Quantity: 84-91 ft3
Trunk/Cargo Quantity: 11-22 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 4000-4100 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.4-3.9 sec
100 mph: 8.8-8.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.9 sec
High Velocity: 180 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Mixed/Metropolis/Freeway: 21/18/25-26 mpg
Extra Options and Specs