Audi RS7 Sportback Review 2024

Audi RS7 Sportback At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
Fantastic performance, incredible sound, lashings of luxury and plenty of practicality. But all of this comes with a hefty price tag.

+Fast, dynamic to drive, spacious and surprisingly practical.

-Expensive, thirsty and still not as versatile as the Audi RS6 Avant estate car.

New prices start from £119,135
Insurance Group 50

The Audi RS7 Sportback is a rare thing these days: a thoroughbred performance model with a raw V8 engine that not only delivers thumping power, but a soundtrack to match. It offers sports car performance figures and the practicality of a family saloon, making it an everyday muscle car without compromise.

We don’t mention the word ‘downsizing’ as much these days. It’s a term that has been replaced by words like ‘hybrid’ and ‘electrification’, but in the performance saloon game, downsizing is definitely a trend.

Even the mighty Mercedes-Benz C63 S now uses four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid engine. The quest to reduce emissions is a good thing, of course, but there’s a theatre to a raucous V8 that is rapidly becoming rare.

Not at Audi, though, at least not entirely. Enter the Audi RS7 Sportback, an aggressive looking beast of a machine with a 630PS turbocharged V8 that uses its 850Nm of torque and quattro all-wheel drive to launch it to 62mph in just 3.4 seconds.

There are electric models that match it for sheer speed, but they don’t come close when it comes to noise and attitude – provided you like that sort of thing, that is.

Its heart and soul might be the V8 engine, but the Audi RS7 Sportback is also big on luxury and technology, with space for five adults, a decent-sized boot and the latest in screens and connectivity. If this is a dying breed then it’s going out fighting.

Also part of the ensuing brawl are a new breed of electric performance models: the Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan and BMW i4 M50, not forgetting the Audi RS e-tron GT.

Also weighing in are the BMW M8 Gran Coupe, Maserati Quattroporte and the four-door version of the Mercedes-AMG GT.

Audi RS7 Sportback handling and engines

Driving Rating
We’re going to invent a new cliché here and say the Audi RS7 Sportback is like a bear in a high street suit. And we don’t mean Paddington. It’s a grizzly that can be docile and quiet one minute, then all power, anger and noise the next. Exploiting the power of the V8 is addictive, while mastering it and channeling it through the quattro all-wheel-drive system is a wonderful challenge. It’s not the sharpest performance model, nor for that matter the quickest, but revel in its power and theatre and you’ll want to drive across continents.

Audi RS7 Sportback 2024: Handling and ride quality

Audi Drive Select provides access to six driving mode settings to give you the ride and responses you want. Auto mode does all the thinking for you, assessing how you are driving and reacting accordingly.

Comfort does exactly what it says, while Dynamic stiffens up the suspension and steering to let you get on with the job of hurtling through corners. The presence of an Efficiency mode made us chuckle, and then there are two customisable RS modes.

There are times when it really lets you feel the bumps in the road, which these days in Britain might equally be the road’s fault, but generally it lets you blast over them and into the next bend. It doesn’t feel as precise as a BMW, and the steering isn’t as sharp as the Porsche Panamera or Taycan. But it’s not as much of a sledgehammer as the Mercedes-AMG GT.

Audi RS7 Sportback 2024: Engines

There is only one engine and it’s a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 pushing out 630PS at 6,000rpm and 850Nm of torque between 2,300-4,500rpm. The turbochargers are larger than in the previous generation car, and boost pressure has been increased to 2.6 bar. This contributes to a two-tenths-quicker sprint time to 62mph of just 3.4 seconds.

All models have launch control to get you to that time in the best way possible and the characteristics of the engine can be changed through selecting one of the modes in the Audi Drive Select menu. There’s even an Efficiency mode that allows the car to coast at speeds up to 99mph without any pull from the engine.

There can be a bit of lag at times on pull-off (as much due to the gearbox as the engine we suspect), but generally the engine responds to your every demand and then encourages you to push it further with its glorious V8 sound.

Audi RS7 Sportback 2024: Safety

Like any luxury car, the Audi RS7 Sportback is packed with safety kit. This includes automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. It also has the usual airbags and Isofix child seat anchor points, plus there is the option to add carbon ceramic brakes if they aren’t included in an optional pack.

Audi RS7 Sportback 2024: Towing

It would be a rather rapid tow car, but if you do need to tow something then the Audi RS7 Sportback can pull a 750kg unbraked trailer or up to 2100kg braked.

Engine MPG 0-62 CO2
630 quattro - 3.4 s 281–282 g/km
TFSI 600 - 3.6 s 265 g/km

Audi RS7 Sportback interior

Interior Rating
The Audi RS7 Sportback’s interior is a wonderful combination of sportiness, luxury and technology, with a beautifully designed dashboard containing nicely integrated trim. The two screens for infotainment and climate control are equally well integrated above the centre console between the seats. The seats themselves are comfortable and supportive, with decent space for those in the back as well as plenty of luggage. Performance is there in droves, but the Audi also scores well from the inside.
Dimensions
Length 5009 mm
Width 2118 mm
Height 1424 mm
Wheelbase 2930 mm

Full specifications

Audi RS7 Sportback 2024: Practicality

If you’re thinking that the focus is on performance rather than practicality, think again. The Audi RS7 Sportback offers loads of space, plenty of storage and practical materials.

The RS Sports seats provide plenty of support when you are enjoying the V8, but they are equally comfortable when you are undertaking a longer journey. Those sitting in the back will find access easy and there’s enough headroom for adults, although it would be a squeeze for three.

The boot opens electrically to reveal 535 litres of space, plus the option to carry larger objects by folding the back seats down with a 40/20/40 split.

There are plenty of storage spaces, including decent door pockets and a large centre console storage area between the front seats, along with a wireless charging pad for your phone.

Audi RS7 Sportback 2024: Quality and finish

The interior goes beyond simply premium into the realms of proper luxury. There are beautiful surfaces across the dashboard, the materials all fit together perfectly and it all has an air of quality.

The stitching on the leather seats is impeccable, the leather itself supple and luxurious, and the switchgear all feels solid and reassuring. Volkswagen and Audi infotainment systems are prone to glitches, but we haven’t experienced this in the Audi RS7.

Audi RS7 Sportback 2024: Infotainment

The infotainment system is basically the same as in the Audi A7 Sportback, which means two screens in the centre console and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster display.

The latter has been redesigned for the Audi RS7, with more performance information such as torque and G-force meters, as well as shift control lights for when you are using the paddle shifters in manual mode. Alternatively, you can switch between a full-screen navigation map or a series of other views.

The main infotainment screen is 10.1 inches and sits high up on the dashboard. It provides easy access to the DAB radio, telephone functions, navigation and a range of vehicle settings and apps.

It’s a fairly intuitive system that is easy to use once you get used to where everything is – and it’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Additional infotainment controls are on the buttons on the steering wheel, so you can select your favourite music without being distracted from the road ahead. 

Audi RS7 Sportback value for money

Value for Money Rating
Is the Audi RS7 Sportback value for money? That’s a tricky one with anything costing well over a hundred grand, but when you look at the performance numbers, it’s easily in the territory of much more expensive sports cars and even supercars. And most of those can’t carry two kids and a pair of golf bags. Looking at it that way, it seems like quite good value. Or at least, that is what we would tell ourselves if we were buying one...

Audi RS7 Sportback 2024: Prices

Power, performance and practicality do not come cheap and, at the time of writing, the Audi RS7 Sportback starts at £116,305. That’s slightly more than the less powerful Porsche Panamera GTS and around £30,000 less than the moderately quicker Panamera Turbo S. It’s also a couple of thousand pounds less than the electric Audi RS e-tron GT. But both cars have very different personalities, of course.

Go for the Carbon Black version and you’re looking at £125,255, and if you want to go all-in then the Vorsprung model will set you back £133,705.

Audi RS7 Sportback 2024: Running Costs

Best not to ask about the fuel consumption. You really want to know? OK, if you drive like it's a Sunday afternoon cruise to your in-laws then you might average around 23mpg. The rest of the time you’ll be lucky to make it into the 20s at all.

With CO2 emissions at 278g/km, vehicle excise duty (VED, or annual road tax) is in the highest bracket, so it’s going to cost you £2605 in year one and, when you factor in the luxury car tax, £570 annually in years two to five.

Maintenance costs shouldn’t be too bad if you buy new, and Audi provides a number of optional service plans. The Audi RS7 Sportback has a three-year or 60,000-mile manufacturer warranty.

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Audi RS7 Sportback models and specs

At this level of price and performance, you expect the Audi RS7 Sportback to come with an extensive list of kit – and it does. All versions get 22-inch alloy wheels shod with Continental Sport Contact rubber, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, head-up display, 360-degree cameras, RS sports exhaust and the interior RS Design package in either red, blue or grey.

All cars also come with the RS Dynamic Package, which includes a quattro sport differential on the rear axle, all-wheel steering and a higher maximum speed of 174mph. If you live next door to a friendly airstrip then you can push the speed up even higher, to 189mph, by selecting the optional RS Dynamics Package. This also comes with ceramic brakes, because being able to stop is always a good thing.

Carbon Black versions get black exterior details as well as matt carbon mirror housings and Dinamica headlining. And the range-topping Vorsprung offers all this, plus Night Vision Assistant.

Dimensions
Length 5009 mm
Width 2118 mm
Height 1424 mm
Wheelbase 2930 mm
Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight 2065–2140 kg
Boot Space 535 L
Warranty 3 years / 60000 miles
Servicing 9300 miles
Costs
List Price £119,135–£136,535
Insurance Groups 50
Road Tax Bands Alternative fuel, M
Official MPG -
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult -
Child -
Pedestrian -
Overall 5

Currently on sale

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
RS7 RS7 Carbon Black TFSi V8 630 Bi-Turbo Quattro 48v MHEV S Tronic Start/Stop 5dr £128,085 - 3.4 s
RS7 RS7 Carbon Vorsprung TFSi V8 630 Bi-Turbo Quattro 48v MHEV S Tronic Start/Stop 5dr £136,535 - 3.4 s
RS7 RS7 Performance TFSi V8 630 Bi-Turbo Quattro 48v MHEV S Tronic Start/Stop 5dr £119,135 - 3.4 s

On sale until April 2023

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
RS7 TFSI 600 Quattro Carbon Black Tiptronic 5dr £106,875 - 3.6 s
RS7 TFSI 600 Quattro Tiptronic 5dr £98,975 - 3.6 s
RS7 TFSI 600 Quattro Vorsprung Tiptronic 5dr £116,375 - 3.6 s

On sale until May 2022

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
RS7 TFSI 600 Quattro mHEV Lch/Ed Tiptronic 5dr - - 3.6 s

Model History

September 2019

Audi RS7 Sportback revealed

Based on the A7 Sportback, the RS7 is a five-door high-performance coupe with 600PS and 800Nm from its 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine.

The second-generation model features five seats and a mild hybrid drivetrain along with a much wider body than the standard car. Offered in the UK in standard and Vorsprung forms, the RS7 will be delivered to UK customers from early 2020.

The 1951mm wide body of the RS7 shares only its bonnet, roof, front doors and tailgate with the standard A7 while the interior features RS sport seats finished in perforated leather along with a flat-bottomed RS steering wheel. Special RS displays in the Audi Virtual Cockpit provide details of tyre pressure, torque, performance, oil temperature, boost pressure, lap times, acceleration and g-forces.

For the first time, Audi is offering the five-door RS7 Sportback with a three-seater rear bench. When its split seat backs are folded down up to 1,390 litres of luggage space are available, and when five adults are on board 535 litres remain at their disposal.

The 4.0 TFSI petrol engine in the new Audi RS7 Sportback produces 600PS and delivers 800Nmof torque between 2100 and 4500 rpm. The high-performance Sportback will sprint from 0 to 62mph in 3.6 seconds and reach top speed at an electronically limited 155mph.

Accompanying the performance is a suitably characterful and full-bore V8 sound which can be modulated via the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system. In the customisable RS1 and RS2 modes, customers can decide for themselves whether they want a sporty or balanced tone.

Thanks to its mild hybrid system (MHEV) with a 48-volt main on-board electrical system, the 4.0 TFSI combines maximum performance with high efficiency, says Audi. The belt alternator starter can recover up to 12kW of power and feed it into a lithium-ion battery as electricity. If the driver releases the accelerator at a speed of between 34mph and 99mph, the drive management will select one of two options, either recovering energy or coasting with the engine switched off depending on the driving situation and the settings in Audi drive select. When the driver steps on the accelerator, the belt alternator starter will start the engine again. MHEV technology also allows for start-stop activation at speeds of 13mph and below. As soon as the vehicle in front of the new RS 7 Sportback starts moving, the engine will restart —even if the brakes are applied.

The cylinder on demand (COD) system is another major attribute when it comes to efficiency. In higher gears at low to medium loads and engine speeds, it will deactivate cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8.

The power produced by the 4.0 TFSI is directed by the standard eight-speed tiptronic transmission with optimised shift times and a new launch control function to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. Drive forces are distributed to the front and rear axles in a 40:60 ratio via the purely mechanical centre differential. If one wheel slips, more drive torque is automatically transferred to the axle with the better traction. Up to 70 percent can flow to the front wheels and up to 85 percent to the rear.

Ordinarily, the RS7 Sportback sits 20mm lower than the A7, while the adaptive air suspension drops by a further 10mm at speeds of more than 74mph. Wheel-selective torque control applies the brakes on the inside of a bend before they break traction, while a standard Quattro sport differntial shifts torque between the rear wheels. Progressive steering is also standard.

The driver can determine the character of an RS 7 Sportback using the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, which features six profiles: comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and the customizable RS-specific RS1 and RS2 modes, which can be enabled directly via an RS MODE button on the steering wheel. Audi drive select influences factors including engine and transmission management, steering assistance, the suspension, dynamic all-wheel steering, the quattro sport differential, the exhaust flaps, and the operating characteristics of the automatic air conditioning system. In RS2 mode, customers can switch the Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) to sport mode at the touch of a button.

In standard form the new RS 7 Sportback is fitted as standard with 21-inch cast aluminium wheels with a 10-spoke star design and 275/35 tyres. A 22-inch 5-V-spoke design with 285/30 tyres is reserved for the Vorsprung version. Within them, the powerful RS brake system features internally ventilated and perforated discs measuring 420 millimetres upfront and 370 millimetres at the rear.

The range of colours for the new Audi RS 7 Sportback encompasses thirteen standard exterior paint finishes, including the two RS-specific shades of Nardo grey and Sebring black, crystal effect, as well as five available matt effect paint finishes.

December 2019

Audi RS7 Sportback prices announced

The RS7 Sportback five-door coupé starts from £97,050 and is initially available in four versions – RS7, RS7 Carbon Black, RS7 Vorsprung and a limited run RS7 Launch Edition.

Dynamic all-wheel steering is standard throughout the ranges to enhance low-speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability, and three of the four variants in each line-up combine this with RS-specific adaptive air suspension. The conventionally sprung RS sport suspension plus with diagonally linked adaptive dampers that are the basis of the Dynamic Ride Control system is standard for the top-tier Vorsprung versions in each case, and can be optionally specified for all other versions.

Externally, RS6 and RS7 Sportback models feature 21-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light and lighting animations, privacy glass and aluminium mirror housings and detailing. Carbon Black versions upgrade to a 22-inch wheel with a black finish and add a carbon black styling package that finishes elements such as mirror housings, window trim strips, spoilers and inserts in gloss carbon and gloss black. The top Vorsprung models also feature a 22-inch wheel in a titanium matt gloss design and a gloss black styling package. In addition, their trademark twin oval tailpipes are exclusively finished in black to illustrate the fact that the sport exhaust system with its enhanced acoustics is also a standard Vorsprung feature.

Inside, all models are equipped with heated and ventilated front RS sport seats with integrated headrests, electric adjustment and honeycomb-stitched Valcona leather upholstery. These are complemented by an electrically adjustable RS flat-bottomed steering wheel incorporating new, larger aluminium shift paddles and a new RS mode button that gives instant access to two additional personalised driver profiles – RS 1 and RS 2 - that can be set and saved via the Audi drive select system.

The all-digital operating system with its black-panel design is of course also standard for all versions, as is the Audi virtual cockpit plus with its 12.3-inch binnacle display, which also offers the option of special RS screens providing information on tyre pressure, torque, power output, engine oil temperature, boost pressure, lap times, acceleration measurements and g forces. A shift light is also included to prompt the driver to upshift when the maximum engine speed is reached. Naturally, the generic specification also includes everything from MMI Navigation Plus to Audi connect internet-based services and Audi Phone Box wireless charging, plus useful assistance systems such as camera-based traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning and a rear-view camera.

RS6 and RS7 Sportback Carbon Black models are marked out internally by striking carbon twill inlays and an RS design package that adds to the luxury feel through additional inserts in either grey Fine Nappa leather or grey Alcantara for areas such as the centre console sides and door armrests.

Vorsprung variants place even more emphasis on occupant comfort and contentment with features such as a panoramic glass sunroof, power door closure, Bang & Olufsen 3D audio and front and rear seat heating. They also include a configurable head-up display for even greater driver convenience, plus the Tour and City Assist packs, equipping them with virtually every advanced driver aid available for the model lines, from adaptive cruise assist and the predictive efficiency assistant to Audi side assist and cross traffic assist front.

For maximum choice the RS6 and RS7 Sportback models will also be offered for a limited period in an exclusive Launch Edition specification that combines highlights from all the variants. Externally, red brake callipers that are unique to this version are visible through 22-inch alloy wheels with a black gloss turned finish, and these are complemented by the gloss black styling pack. The panoramic glass sunroof and the sport exhaust are also standard, as is top speed de-restriction to 174mph. Inside, the Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system is a key enhancement.

Among the headline options for the two ranges are five matt-effect paint finishes, the sport exhaust system (standard for Vorsprung and Launch Edition versions), ceramic brakes and de-restriction of top speed from 155mph to 174mph (also standard for Vorsprung and Launch Edition models).

In just 3.6 seconds the RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback with eight-speed tiptronic transmission can touch 62mph from a standing start, and where conditions permit the driver can see 124mph by the time 12 seconds have elapsed. Top speed is electronically governed at 155mph, or 174mph in the Vorsprung and Launch Edition versions.

This performance is delivered as responsibly as possible through the use of mild hybrid technology. A belt alternator starter powered by a 48-volt main electrical system lies at the heart of the MHEV system, which can harvest energy during light deceleration and store it in a separate lithium-ion battery, and also initiate coasting at speeds of between 34 and 99mph for up to 40 seconds with the engine switched off. A cylinder on demand (COD) system is also incorporated, and at low to intermediate loads and speeds deactivates four of the V8’s eight cylinders to conserve fuel.

Specification

OTR Pricing

RS 6 Avant

£92,750

RS 6 Avant Carbon Black

£100,650

RS 6 Avant Vorsprung

£109,250

RS 6 Avant Launch Edition

£101,700

Specification

OTR Pricing

RS 7 Sportback

£97,050

RS 7 Sportback Carbon Black

£104,950

RS 7 Sportback Vorsprung

£113,550

RS 7 Sportback Launch Edition

£106,000

What does the Audi RS7 Sportback cost?