Audi RS5 2021 review
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10
- How practical is the interior space? 7/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 8/10
- What is it like to drive? 8/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
- Verdict
The Audi A5 Coupe and Sportback have always been beautiful cars. Yes, yes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but seriously, just look at one and tell me he's ugly.
Thankfully, the freshly updated RS5 not only builds on the looks of its more level-headed sibling, but also on performance, adding supercar-like speed to the looks of a supermodel.
Sounds like a good match, right? Let's find out, shall we?
| Audi RS5 2021: 2.9 TFSI Quattro | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | - |
| engine's type | 2.9 L turbo |
| fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 9.4l / 100km |
| Landing | 4 Places |
| Price from | $121,900 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
It's available in Coupe or Sportback versions, but the RS5 costs $150,900 either way. And it's not a small thing, but Audi's performance model is really worth a lot of money for the money.
We'll get to the engine and safety measures shortly, but in terms of fruit, you'll find 20-inch alloy wheels on the outside, as well as sportier RS body styling, sport brakes, matrix LED headlights, keyless entry, and a button. start and heated mirrors, sunroof and protective glass. Inside, there are Nappa leather seats (front heated), illuminated door sills, stainless steel pedals and interior lighting.
The RS5 wears 20-inch alloy wheels. (Sportback variant pictured)
The tech side is controlled by a new 10.1-inch central touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an Audi virtual cockpit that replaces dials on the driver's binnacle with a digital screen. There's also wireless phone charging and a stunning 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system.
The 10.1-inch center touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. (Sportback variant pictured)
Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10
I challenge anyone who calls the RS5, and especially the coupe, anything but amazing. Seriously, the near-perfect proportions and swept-back shape make it fast, even when it's parked.
Up front, there's a new black mesh grille that's been given a 3D effect as if it juts out of the road ahead of it, while the headlights have been cut back into the bodywork, as if they've been swept away by the wind. acceleration.
20-inch darkened alloy wheels also fill the arches with a sharp body crease that runs from the headlight to bulging shoulder lines above the rear tires, accentuating the curves.
Inside the RS5 is a sea of black Nappa leather with sporty touches, and we especially like the chunky flat-bottomed steering wheel that both looks – and feels – great.
Inside the RS5 is a sea of black Nappa leather with sporty touches. (pictured coupe version)
How practical is the interior space? 7/10
We only tested the coupe, and I can tell you that the practicality benefits on offer depend a lot on where you sit.
Up front, you're spoiled for space in the two-door coupe, with two spacious seats separated by a large center console that also has two cup holders and plenty of drawers, as well as additional bottle storage in each of the front doors.
The backseat, though, is a bit or a lot cramped, and it takes acrobatics to even get in, considering the coupe only has two doors. Sportback offers two more doors, which will certainly make things a little easier.
The coupe has a length of 4723 1866 mm, a width of 1372 410 mm and a height of 4783 1866 mm, and the volume of the luggage compartment is 1399 liters. The Sportback has dimensions of 465mm, XNUMXmm and XNUMXmm, while the boot volume increases to XNUMX liters.
Every vehicle has everything you need to meet your technical needs, and plenty of USB and power outlets serve both front and back seat passengers.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
It's a terrific engine - a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged TFSI six-cylinder that develops 331kW at 5700rpm and 600Nm at 1900rpm, sending it to all four wheels (because it's quattro) via an eight-speed tiptronic automatic.
The 2.9-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo engine delivers 331 kW/600 Nm. (Sportback variant pictured)
That's enough to get the coupe and Sportback to 0 km/h in 100 seconds, according to Audi. Which is very, very fast.
How much fuel does it consume? 8/10
The RS5 Coupe consumes a claimed 9.4 l/100 km on the combined cycle and emits a claimed 208 g/km CO2. It is equipped with a 58 liter fuel tank.
The RS5 coupe will consume the same 9.4 l/100 km but emit 209 g/km CO2.
What is it like to drive? 8/10
Since our time behind the wheel is limited to the RS5 coupe, we can only report on how the two-door performs on the road, but given the awesome power on offer, it's unlikely that adding two doors will make the Sportback any slower.
In short, the RS5 is incredibly fast, picking up speed with total nonchalance thanks to that powerful and endless feeling of power reserve unleashed whenever you put your right foot on.
The RS5 is incredibly fast, but it can turn into a relatively quiet city cruiser again. (coupe variant in the photo)
It makes even the most clumsy cornering attempts feel lightning fast, and the power flow is able to make up for every slow entry and exit by simply increasing speed between corners.
But that's what you'd expect from an RS model, right? So perhaps more impressive is the RS5's ability to transform back into a relatively quiet city cruiser when the red haze subsides. The suspension is stiff, especially on rough pavements, and you need to be a little careful with the accelerator to avoid feeling jerky at every green light, but in relaxed driving, it's perfectly fine for everyday use.
It's unlikely that adding two doors will make the Sportback slower. (Sportback variant pictured)
As with the RS4, we found the gearbox to shift a bit quickly at pace, shifting up or down at odd moments when entering or exiting corners, but you can regain control with the paddle shifters.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
3 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 9/10
The safety story starts with six (coupe) or eight (Sportback) and the usual set of brake and traction aids, but then moves on to the tech-savvy stuff.
You get a 360-degree camera, adaptive stop-and-go cruise, active lane assist, front and rear parking sensors, AEB with pedestrian detection, rear cross traffic alert, exit warning system, blind spot monitoring, and turn assist that monitors oncoming traffic when turning.
That's a lot of equipment, and it all contributes to the five-star Audi ANCAP safety rating awarded in 2017 to the A5 range.
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
Audi vehicles are covered by a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, which seems more than underwhelming compared to some of the competition.
Services are provided every 12 months or 15,000 km and Audi allows you to pre-pay the cost of service for the first five years at a cost of $3,050.
Verdict
Good looking, comfortable to drive and comfortable to just sit in, the Audi RS5 range wins many premium awards. Whether you can put up with the coupe's practical pitfalls is up to you, but if you can't, may I suggest walking through our RS4 Avant review?
