Audi RS7 (2014 – 2018) Review

Audi RS7 (2014 – 2018) At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
There’s plenty to like about the 2014 Audi RS7, not least its speed, it’s style, it’s refinement and its practicality.

+Ludicrously fast and makes a great noise, fabulous interior quality, practical enough for a family.

-Handling should be more involving, infotainment system feels dated, very expensive to buy and run.

Insurance Groups are between 47–50
On average it achieves 93% of the official MPG figure

It’s also beautifully made and generously equipped. It does have some flaws, the most serious being its shortage of handling involvement, but it’s a likeable car nonetheless. It has some very tough competitors in the form of the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and the Mercedes-AMG CLS 63 S, not to mention the Porsche Panamera a little further up the price scale. It stands comparison with any of them, though.

For those who don’t know their RS from their elbow, here’s a little history lesson. There was a time, not all that long ago, when Audi Sport - the German manufacturer’s performance division - would only produce one super-high-performance RS model at a time, in order to make that car feel extra-special.

However, such was the clamour for fast and furious versions of a variety of Audi’s popular models that the good folks over at Audi Sport finally decided to give in and give the people what they wanted.

Nowadays, RS models come in all shapes and sizes, and the RS7 - based on the A7 four-door coupe executive car - is one of the biggest. Like all RS models, it comes with a ludicrous amount of horsepower, a brash styling overhaul and a colossal pricetag. That means the RS7 won’t suit everyone, certainly not those of a nervous disposition, but for those it does suit, it’ll be about as appealing as cars get. 

This twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol delivers 560PS in its regular guise, but if you choose to upgrade to the Performance version, that gets hiked to an even crazier 605PS. As you can imagine, both are breathtaking in the way they pick up speed, and the noise that accompanies that searing performance is just as dramatic.

Take things easier, and the RS7 is also capable of delivering top-drawer refinement and a comfortable ride, making it a good way to munch through continents in double-quick time.

Some might be disappointed that it doesn’t feel like more of a sports car in the bends - it’s too big and heavy for that, and the steering doesn’t give much feedback - but it’s still extremely capable in the corners, with strong grip and tight control.

There’s lots to like inside, too, with typically tactile Audi build quality, lots of luxury features as standard,  fairly generous cabin space for four and a big boot. Granted, the infotainment system looks a little dated, and some of the latest infotainment and safety kit is missing, but on a car launched in 2014, that’s not really surprising.

What isn’t missing, though, is bucketloads of performance, style and charm. You’ll pay handsomely to get them, mind, and the astronomical running costs will mean the bills just keep on coming, but every time you put your foot down to release all that noise and acceleration, you won’t care one bit.

What does a Audi RS7 (2014 – 2018) cost?