Audi RS6 Avant Review 2024

Audi RS6 Avant At A Glance

5/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Audi RS6 Avant is the kind of car a keen driver can enjoy while their passengers enjoy generous space and luxury on the way to a far-flung destination. In other words, it’s one of the greatest all-rounders.

+Hugely fast and really engaging to drive. Space for all the family, including the dog.

-High running costs go with high performance. Looks a bit brash.

New prices start from £115,480, brokers can source from £102,660
Insurance Group 50

Super-fast SUVs have largely replaced powerful estate cars as the vehicle of choice for families in a hurry. Fortunately, the archetypal performance estate car, the Audi RS6 Avant, is still alive and kicking. For more than 20 years, the RS6 has been transporting people and their luggage at great speed and in great comfort. This latest version is a bit louder and brasher than its predecessors, but has that diminished its appeal?

We don’t think so. Less subtle it may be, but the Audi RS6 Avant still looks great – and markedly less aggressive than many performance SUVs. Likewise, while the Audi’s interior isn’t as understated as its predecessors’, it’s just as user-friendly and comfortable. The car is built to very high standards of quality and precision, too.

Super-estate car rivals are few and far between. The BMW M5, for example, only comes as a saloon. Those seeking an alternative have the Mercedes-AMG E-Class Estate, but the more obvious alternatives are hot SUVs such as the BMW X5 M, Audi RS Q7 and Mercedes-AMG GLE. The Porsche Cayenne is another SUV alternative... unless you fancy going electric, and like the sound of the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo shooting brake.

There are three models to choose from: the ‘standard’ Audi RS6 Avant, Carbon Black and Carbon Vorsprung. Highlights from a very long list of standard features include sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, built-in Amazon Alexa, four-zone climate control, cruise control, electrically adjustable front seats and a 360-degree camera system.

Carbon models have an assortment of styling details finished in black, some of them made from carbon fibre. Vorsprung spec adds an opening glass sunroof and more than a dozen extra driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control.

The UK gets the Performance version of the Audi RS6 Avant’s 4.0-litre V8 turbocharged engine, which produces a mighty 630PS and 850Nm. That gets this two-tonne car from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 174mph. It’s perfectly happy to potter at low speeds or cruise at 70mph on the motorway, too.

This isn’t an especially efficient engine, however, averaging around 20mpg. Running costs are generally quite high, but that goes with the high-performance territory.

On the road, the Audi RS6 Avant feels more nimble than previous versions, partly thanks to four-wheel steering. It’s much more engaging as well, so you can really enjoy driving cross-country at ‘enthusiastic’ speeds. The car’s width can be problematic in town, but the four-wheel steering makes it surprisingly easy to park. It’s a completely effortless and composed long-distance cruiser as well.

The Audi RS6 Avant’s practicality reinforces its credentials as one of the great road-trip cars. There is loads of room for four adults, or two adults and three children. The boot swallows a very large amount of stuff, and you can even tow 2.2 tonnes.

Prices for the Audi RS6 Avant start at £109,000 and top out at £127,000: about what you’d pay for an SUV with similar performance. Discounts are available, albeit on the less powerful and slightly slower 600PS version of the RS6, which is no longer on Audi’s price list.

The Audi RS6 Avant remains a deeply desirable and deeply cool car. Yes, you sit lower than in a high-performance SUV, but that means the RS6 doesn’t compromise on handling, comfort or even efficiency.

What does a Audi RS6 Avant cost?

Buy new from £102,660(list price from £115,480)