2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback

One thing we really like about the 2025 Audi RS 5 is that it’s a performance car for all seasons. With all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard and heated seats in both rows, it’s both reassuring and luxurious. As a compact luxury car, the RS 5 is far from cumbersome or unwieldy. Yet it’s still big enough to be practical — an attribute enhanced by the hatchback. Another thing, of course, is that it’s highly entertaining. BMW and Mercedes-Benz seem to get more of the driver’s-machine glory with their M and AMG cars, respectively. Yet Audi can tune a car to have just as much appeal, and RS models are the proof.

Anyone hankering after a new RS 5 should act soon, however. The A5 model, which forms the basis for this high-performance variant, debuted for the 2018 model year, with the current RS 5 arriving 12 months later. That isn’t especially old, but Audi has an all-new A5 in the works. We hope there will be a fresh RS 5 to follow, but we can’t be sure at this time.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact luxury cars, including the Audi RS 5.

The HomeLink remote garage door button is now integrated into the rearview mirror. The 2-door coupe version of the RS 5 has been discontinued, leaving just the 4-door RS 5 Sportback for 2025.

Against other A5 Sportback variants, we would suggest the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. But there isn’t a version with power comparable to the RS 5, although the BMW M3 sedan is a benchmark in this wonderful corner of the automotive world. It starts out a little less expensive than the RS 5, while the more muscular M3 Competition is pretty much the same price and accelerates to 60 mph in the same time.

Before buying a new RS 5 Sportback compact luxury performance car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. If it matters, we’ve found the RS 5’s resale values average for the class. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The RS 5 Sportback accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in a rapid 3.8 seconds, thanks to 444 hp from the engine bay. The similarly priced BMW M3 Competition sedan matches that time and has 503 hp. If it had all-wheel drive (which the RS 5 has as standard), it would be 0.4 of a second quicker but more expensive.

Despite a model-specific suspension setup, we haven’t found the RS 5 to ride too harshly, yet we’ve appreciated the superb precision and poise.

Fuel Economy

The RS 5 Sportback achieves 20 mpg in combined city/highway driving. For reference, the M3 Competition manages 19 mpg combined.

The RS 5’s cabin exhibits many of the usual Audi attributes, such as a smart and uncluttered design, excellent materials, and exemplary build quality. This is the highest-performance model in the wider A5 lineup and, therefore comes with a flat-bottomed steering wheel, plus sport front seats with plenty of lateral support. All seats are covered in fine Nappa leather featuring contrasting stitching, and both rows are heated.

Rear legroom measures a perfectly adequate 35.1 inches, just half an inch less than that of the BMW M3 sedan. The standard powered tailgate opens to a cargo space that goes from 21 to 35 cubic feet when the rear seats fold in a 40/20/40 fashion. We love this versatility. To compare, the M3’s trunk measures 16.9 cubic feet.

As mentioned above, there’s only the 4-door Sportback version of the 2025 RS 5. It’s not exactly a hardship, as this design is arguably handsome and — thanks to the hatchback — undeniably useful. The look is sleek and clean. The RS treatment adds quad exhaust outlets and various aerodynamic components.

Bang & Olufsen audio
We’re always pleased to hear a Bang & Olufsen setup. The 2025 RS 5 has a standard 19-speaker, 755-watt surround-sound system.

All-wheel drive
All-wheel drive is a boon in tricky conditions and maximizes traction in the dry, so we’re happy to see it included as standard in the RS 5.

Virtual Cockpit
Audi blazed this trail of configurable driver information displays that everyone has since followed. It remains a cool piece of tech, and this one features performance modes specific to the RS 5.

Adaptive cruise control
Yes, we appreciate that RS 5 owners will want to do everything most of the time, but dull freeway stretches are a fact of driving life, and adaptive cruise control alleviates some of that grind. Traffic Jam Assist is also part of this standard setup — again, easing the burden.

Matrix-design LED headlights
Yet another standard feature, these LEDs incorporate laser technology. The result is wonderful illumination perceived as something close to daylight.

Competition package
It’s an expensive option ($10,300), but this bundle includes special 20-inch alloy wheels, high-performance Pirelli tires, a sportier steering system, firmer suspension, aerodynamic additions, and interior enhancements.

A twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 endows the RS 5 Sportback with 444 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission sends this energy to a standard all-wheel-drive system.

The regular A5 Sportback and zesty S5 Sportback each have individual reviews.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Audi’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical among European luxury car makers. Audi also includes four years of roadside assistance.

Safety Ratings

Earlier model years of the A5 (on which the RS 5 is based) have been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Last year’s version also took a top score of Good in the tricky updated small overlap front crash test carried out by the institute. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given the A5 Sportback a 5-Star maximum overall score.