Written by Ted Welford Updated: 16 September 2024

Overview

The Audi RS7 is a rare sight on UK roads, not least because most buyers looking for a fast yet practical Audi default to the highly-regarded RS6 Avant – an excellent choice, we must add. 

But if you’re looking for something a bit different, the RS7 deserves your attention. Sharing the RS6’s underpinnings, it offers a sleeker ‘Sportback’ shape that sits between a hatchback and a saloon. Given Audi hasn’t sold an RS6 saloon for 15 years, the RS7 is the closest thing you’ll get to a high-performance four-door Audi. 

Based on the excellent coupe-like A7 Sportback, the RS7 is a fair old beast in terms of size and performance, and it’s still practical, too. Using a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 and Audi’s legendary quattto all-wheel-drive system, there are few more capable performance cars, whatever the conditions. 

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The second-generation RS7 was introduced in early 2020 at the same time as the RS6 Avant, and was then upgraded in 2023 with the launch of a ‘Performance’ version. Becoming the only RS7 you can buy, it received a 30hp power boost courtesy of larger turbochargers, with the RS7 Performance developing a mighty 630hp, allowing a 0-62mph time of just 3.4 seconds. The speed limiter is also raised to 174mph.

Audi also aimed to turn up the experience factor by taking sound deadening out of the car to amplify the V8 engine, while making changes to the differentials to make it seem more lively. Styling details include its 22-inch alloy wheels shod in Continental Sport Contact 7 tyres. You can also identify the Performance by its matt carbon detailing, with new exterior colours available and various blue interior details to add to its special feel. 

The Audi RS7 sits in quite a niche class these days, with core competition coming in the form of the BMW M8 Gran Coupe, Mercedes-AMG GT 4- Door and Porsche Panamera, though all are more expensive. You could consider the Mercedes-AMG E53 or BMW M5 as slightly cheaper alternatives. The electric Audi e-tron GT could also be considered if you’re looking for something fast and upmarket and aren’t too concerned about the propulsion.

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But is the Audi RS7 worth considering over the Audi RS6, and is this Performance model worth the money? We’ve driven the RS7 extensively across the UK to find out and you can read more about how we test cars at Parkers. 

What’s it like inside?

The RS7’s interior is closely related to the A7 and other high-end Audis that launched at a similar time, such as the A6 and Q8. As such, in terms of technology, you’ve got an impressive 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital cluster, which remains one of the best around, with a dedicated RS display for when you’re on a track. The same twin touchscreen layout remains as the standard A7, with the higher display looking after traditional infotainment and the lower screen controlling climate settings. Though it still looks great, this setup hasn’t aged all that well, and already feels a touch behind the times. Neither screen is massively responsive by today’s standards, either. 

The RS7 is separated from the ‘standard’ A7 models by its wonderful RS sports seats trimmed in Valcona leather as standard. Depending on the configuration, these can also come with blue switching and detailing, as well as blue seatbelts and they look fantastic. 

Alcantara and a similar material called Microsuede is also used lavishly across the interior, from the steering wheel to the door cards and even areas like the parcel shelf. It’s a material associated with sportiness and truly helps to make the RS7 feel special. We were a touch disappointed by some of the interior quality on our test car, however, with the gloss black already feeling a bit creaky after just 10,000 miles. We’re not sure about the carbon-effect interior detailing, either, as it somehow cheapens the overall feel. 

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While you might jump to the RS6 Avant as an estate car for maximum practicality, you shouldn’t discount the RS7, either. Yes, the rear headroom might not be as generous or the boot as large, but this is still a big car that offers plentiful interior space. Rear-seat space is plentiful for most adults and at 520 litres, the boot is massive. You can hardly reach the back of it, it stretches back that far. 

Comfort

With electric, heated and even ventilated leather seats included as standard, the RS7’s cabin is a great place to spend time. The seats can be a touch hard, but offer a great mix of support and long-distance comfort that fit this Audi’s character perfectly. 

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With the Performance version having reduced sound deadening compared to the previous RS7, it is louder to spend time in, but once at a gentle cruise, it quietens down brilliantly to the point you can hardly hear the V8. Ride comfort is compromised depending on which drive mode you’re in, though we’ll more explore of this later.  

Safety

While Audi has never subjected the RS7 to Euro NCAP crash testing, the standard Audi A7 performed well when it was last tested and got five stars, though it’s worth noting this was back in 2018 and when testing wasn’t quite as strict. 

Either way, the RS7 feels planted and safe, which is all the more remarkable considering the performance. Standard driver assistance kit is disappointing for a car starting from £120,000, though. We’d expect features such as adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring to be included on a car of this price, considering most are fitted to far cheaper cars as standard. 

You’ll either have to upgrade to the top-spec Carbon Vorsprung trim for these, or choose one of the various option packs if not. 

Engine

The key talking point with the RS7 is its engine – a brutish 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Thanks to larger turbochargers, the Performance model is up 30hp and 50Nm more compared to the older version, now producing a mighty 630hp and 850Nm of torque (pulling power). 

So despite weighing more than two tonnes, the RS7 can sprint to 62mph in just 3.4 seconds, two-tenths quicker than before. The Performance version also gets its top speed limiter raised to 174mph (from 155mph), which was previously an option on the RS7.

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There’s some token mild-hybrid assistance that can turn the engine off when coasting in ‘efficiency’ mode, but unlike the Mercedes-AMG E53 and 2025 BMW M5, this isn’t a plug-in hybrid. 

An eight-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox continues to be used, along with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. 

What’s it like to drive?

The star of the RS7’s driving experience has to be the engine. It is fabulous, and every bit as brutish as it should be. Accompanied by a standard sports exhaust, it’s a raucous thing that is even better now the reduced sound insulation means it’s more readily audible.

The RS7 is a very easy car to configure to your settings, with a few button presses all that’s needed to turn it from a fairly sedate cruiser into a bit of a monster. Two ‘RS’ driving modes on the steering wheel give you quick access to your preferred sporty settings.

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Considering its huge size, though, the RS7 is remarkably agile. The grip levels and traction are immense, partly courtesy of its sticky Continental tyres. You point and commit to a corner and the RS7 will pull you around. The steering is well-weighted and has a decent feel to it, and makes it very easy to place through a fast corner. A revised differential and tweaked gearbox unlock a more aggressive and fun character to the Performance than the standard RS7 too. 

Our test car had optional adaptive steel suspension, rather than the usual standard air setup, and its breadth of ability was impressive. Ride comfort considering the size of those wheels is impressive in ‘normal’ and ‘balanced’ drive modes, though does get overly fidgety in ‘sport’, which is worth avoiding for all but the smoothest of tarmac – which you’re unlikely to find in the UK. Though road noise is always quite intrusive, the RS7’s ability to transform from track car to a sensible family cruiser is remarkable, and another reason to consider it. 

Ownership costs and maintenance

If you’re shopping for an RS7, running costs are likely not a top priority. But you’ll need deep pockets to run it, with Audi claiming just 23mpg, and we found that sub-20mpg was more realistic if you were even being remotely enthusiastic with it. 

That said, with its dedicated efficiency mode, which you’re only likely to use on a motorway, the mild-hybrid system does offer coasting functionality where the engine turns off. On a gentle run up the A1 in busy traffic conditions, we saw more than 30mpg, which isn’t bad at all for a V8 and not least one with this level of performance. 

What trims are available?

There are three versions of the RS7 available – the regular RS7, Carbon Black and Carbon Vorsprung. 

Standard equipment is generally quite impressive on the standard car, including 22-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights and electric, heated and ventilated sports seats. A 30-colour ambient lighting package, heated Alcantara steering wheel and head-up display are also included. 

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The Carbon Black trim brings a range of black styling details and carbon elements, including its diffuser and front spoiler. You also get carbon interior inlays and an extended Alcantara package. At the top of the range, the Carbon Vorsprung brings RS sports suspension, a panoramic glass sunroof, night vision assist and an extended driver assistance package. 

Prices for the RS7 start from £120,000, rising to £137,000 for the Vorsprung model. 

Anything else I need to know?

The RS7 is one of the last of its kind as a V8 family car, and one that we’re unlikely to see again from Audi, or at least not with more pronounced hybrid assistance. In some respects, the RS7 might be a bit old-school, but that’s part of the appeal to it.

Audi is also soon stopping producing the A6 as we know it as it evolves to become the electric Audi A6 e-tron. The A7 is confirmed for a new generation in 2025, and it will likely be sold in its current Sportback bodystyle but also in an Avant version. Expect a sportier RS7 model to follow too, though it will likely be a plug-in hybrid.