The Audi RS7 is the top-of-the-line Audi 4-door coupe performance car based on the Audi A6/A7 platform. The RS7 shares many of its parts with other high-performance VAG models such as the Porsche Panamera, the Bentley Continental GT, and many SUVs such as the RS Q8, the Porsche Cayenne, and even the Lamborghini Urus. So, is Audi RS7 a good car?
Yes, the RS7 is a really good car because it packs quite a punch into a mid-size family sedan. The RS7 gets a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 605hp, Audi’s iconic Quattro AWD system, and a seamless 8-speed torque converter transmission. This engine and transmission combo can also be found in many cars mentioned above.
The RS7 looks amazing as it incorporates many performance parts both inside and outside. It gets more equipment from the factory and it is packed with virtually everything you’d ever want from a state-of-the-art luxury car. The RS7 drives way more focused than the regular A7 does, yet it manages to be relatively comfortable as well.
It costs upwards of $115,000 for a base model which means that the RS7 is also a relatively rare car. Older RS7 models are a lot more attainable, yet almost as capable. Practicality is the same as in the normal A7 which means that the RS7 sits four adults with a sizeable hatchback trunk as well.
Audi RS7 – The powertrain
The Audi RS7 gets a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 with 603hp and 590lb-ft of torque which enables the RS6 to reach 60mph from a standstill in under 3.5 seconds which is absolutely rapid. The RS7 can reach a limited top speed of 155mph, but if you pay Audi, they will enable you to reach an unlimited top speed of more than 190mph.
The 4.0L V8 can be found in a bunch of VAG products such as the Lamborghini Urus, the Panamera Turbo, the Bentley Continental GT, and many other Audi products such as the RS6, and the RSQ8. This engine is proven to be extremely responsive with a relatively linear power band even though it is a turbocharged engine.
This engine is mated to an 8-speed torque converter Tiptronic gearbox that shifts gears seamlessly, but it can sometimes feel a bit slow for a 600hp car, especially when compared to Porsches PDK which can be found in the Panamera and the Continental GT. All RS7 models are Quattro AWD, but the power is primarily being sent to the rear wheels for a sporty experience.
Audi RS7 – Design and chassis
The Audi RS7 looks quite a bit different than the regular A7 because it sits lower to the ground, it gets 22-inch low-profile wheels, larger brakes, an aggressive body kit, large oval exhausts, a more focused grille, and a few RS7 badges. On the inside, the RS7 gets sports seats with quilted leather, a sports steering wheel, and a whole host of high-quality materials such as Alcantara, carbon, or aluminum.
When it comes to driving, the RS7 is a lot more focused than the regular A7 because it sits lower and it experiences less body roll. The car is planted to the ground and it corners like it has claws. The suspension is stiffer but is still dampened enough.
Audi RS7 – Reliability and common issues
The Audi RS7 is a complex automobile with a whole host of functions to make your daily life a lot more enjoyable and safer. However, many of these features are prone to breaking which is why non-engine electrical issues do play a role in the overall RS7 ownership experience.
Furthermore, the RS7 also suffers from transmission-related issues, engine-related issues, suspension-related issues, and issues with increased levels of brake and tire wear.
Audi RS7 – Value and practicality
The Audi RS7 starts at around $115,000 which is a lot of money. However, top-spec examples with all the options can even go for double that money which is rather insane. $230,000 gets you a well-equipped Audi R8, a well-equipped Porsche Turbo S, or a well-equipped Mercedes AMG GT R. These prices are really difficult to swallow, especially because the RS7 is going to depreciate a lot faster than any of these.
Practicality is as good as with the regular Audi A7 which means the RS7 seats up to four adults with a sizeable hatchback trunk.
FAQ Section
How fast is the Audi RS7?
The Audi RS7 is a really fast car, so much so that it destroys many iconic sports cars off the line. The RS7 can do the standing quarter-mile in around 11 seconds which is as fast as the aforementioned AMG GT R. For a spot of context, the Ferrari 488 Spyder is just a tad bit quicker than the RS7 on the drag strip.
Moreover, the Audi R8 is just as fast while the 991 GT3 RS, a car everyone deems as a truly iconic sports car is even slower than the new RS7. There is absolutely no arguing that the RS7 is a rapid car, and that it can beat many cars off the line, even those with 800hp engines.
Is the Audi RS e-Tron GT better than the RS7?
Since Mercedes stopped making the CLS 63 AMG and since BMW retired the 6-Series, the RS7 is sort of lacking competition. However, Audi recently came out with the e-Tron RS GT which costs $10,000 more and it is one of the biggest competitors to the RS7, both looks-wise, and performance-wise.
These two are really similar, but the RS7 is always going to be the choice for virtually every car enthusiast out there because it is way more exciting. The RS e-Tron is a cool car, but it simply isn’t as usable nor as exciting as the RS7 is.
Is the Audi RS7 efficient?
Audi’s RS7 EPA ratings are 15MPG in the city and 22MPG on the highway and it seems like the RS7 is able to reach these numbers. However, people who buy cars like the RS7 don’t buy them for efficiency’s sake, they buy them to enjoy them so it does not even matter how inefficient the car might be.
If you are hard struck about the RS7 getting fewer miles per gallon than a normal A7, you are not really aware of what makes the RS7 so special. A V8 engine in a 2022 car is a rare sight these days, and those people who recognize that will have no trouble paying for a 15MPG car.
