Cars in Review: 2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback

Before I get into this week’s blog post, I just wanted to wish my Canadian readers a belated Happy Canada Day and Happy 4th of July to my American readers. I hope everyone either enjoyed celebrating earlier in the week or will enjoy celebrating today. Have a safe and happy holiday! 

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Now, if you’re like me, someone who wants to live their life as they do in the infamous Fast and Furious movie series, then the Audi RS 5 is definitely for you. With the way Audi designed this car and the performance stats that it carries around, I’m actually surprised this sports car didn’t make it to the big screen. Maybe it’s one of those undercover talents or up and coming. Either way, this sports car is like no other, keep reading to find out. 

Normally when a car company describes the car they are trying to sell, it is usually too descriptive and under promising but not this car. Audi designed the RS 5 with two purposes in mind: speed and smiles, both of which are sure to be delivered. So why not live your life a “quattro” mile at a time and get one, so you can experience the feelings for yourself first hand? 

Overview

As some of you may know or remember, Audi eliminated coupes from the A5 line up and now the RS 5 is only available in the Sportback option – but that’s not necessarily a problem, especially for a car of this stature. In fact, in comparison to the coupe, the RS 5 is actually bigger, it’s easier to reach the rear seats, and features a convenient top hinged rear hatch that gives it bonus cargo space. Now although this car is pretty great on it’s own as it is, Audi could offer it in a manual option, which would just enhance the features even more, but unfortunately they have no future plans for this and believe it or not, the company hasn’t offered a car with a stick option in the United States for years…what a shame. 

What’s New for 2025?

For the 2025 edition, Audi added physical buttons to the Homelink garage door opener that was previously only controlled by the infotainment touchscreen. Also, for the A5/S5/RS 5 line ups, Audi took out all of the two door models – coupes – as mentioned previously. 

Pricing and Which One to Buy

With a starting price of $81,195 for the base model (RS 5), it’s not hard to see that you will require somewhat of a second job to be able to afford this. But if you can, the purchase will be well worth it. The higher trim level, the RS 5 Competition, starts at $93,245 but is actually the recommended model to go with. When compared to the base model, the Competition version involves so much more – a more vocal engine sound thanks to the sport exhaust system (which also is available separately) and reduced sound deadening. It also provides Sport Direct steering and a firmer suspension that allows for manual ride-height adjustment. 

Both models however, come with the option to upgrade to an RS Driver Assistance package that comes with head up display and a surround view camera system, adding blind spot monitoring with Audi’s Side Assist package. 

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The 2025 Audi RS 5 comes equipped with a twin turbocharged engine that has capabilities of making 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. It features a paddle-shifted eight speed automatic transmission that provides power to all four wheels and has Audi’s Quattro all wheel drive system which not only helps to provide traction but can also direct more torque to the rear wheels if needed. In terms of performance this car is easily able to handle cornering with well controlled body motions and predictable handling. Overall the ride is quite smooth leaving a great overall impression not only on the driver but the passengers as well.    

0-60 MPH Times

When it comes to this car, you have to be ready for speed because whether you like it or not, speed is what you’ll get. Test results on the track produce 3.3 seconds to get from 0-60 MPH which really just means the RS 5 gets to hang out with the top contenders – 505 horsepower Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and 503 horsepower BMW M3 Competition. 

Fuel Economy and Real World MPG

For the Fuel Economy and Real World MPG ratings this car makes an EPA-estimated 18 MPG city and 25 MPG highway. These numbers are comparable with the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and the BMW M3 as well with both cars making 17 MPG city, 25 MPG highway, and 16 MPG city, 23 MPG highway, respectively. 

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The inside of the RS 5 is just as sophisticated looking as the exterior and has the same exceptional build quality as well. When thinking about the drivers view, I want you to picture a flat bottom steering wheel that sits behind a large 12.3 inch digital gauge cluster. It features a pair of stocky paddle shifters mounted to the wheel if you ever had the desire to drop a gear or two and boldly give into the inner daredevil in you. 

The cabin also stands out with the intricately designed seats that accommodate heated and cooled surfaces, power side bolsters, and even massaging capabilities – yes you read that right, I told you this car was amazing! And as if that isn’t enough, this car comes standard with a lot of different features, some of which include (but are not limited to): ambient interior lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and three zone climate control. The rear seat does have enough room for 2 but the M3 is the one that takes the cake for its superior rear seat accommodations. 

If you opt for the RS Design Package you will be living more like a king or queen simply because this package comes with a lot more even fancier amenities. For example, the standard nappa leather is substituted for Alcantara which helps to liven up the interior with red highlights.   

Infotainment and Connectivity

When you hear the RS 5 is like no other car, believe it because it’s true and this is even seen in the infotainment and connectivity features. Other models like the RS 7 and RS Q8 have the new MMI infotainment interfaces that have dual touchscreens planted in the dashboards and center consoles whereas the RS 5 has a single 10.1 inch touchscreen that comes out of the middle of the dash. It may be bigger than the other 8.3 inch display that it replaces but the new system no longer operates through the rotary controller and touchpad that once lived in the cars center console. Although everything was switched to mainly touch sensitive controls, the setup response times are quick and the large icons make it easier to activate without distractions. 

Every model comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability plus wireless charging. Navigation and a more powerful Bang and Olufsen stereo come as optional.  

Safety and Driver Assistance Features

Just like Honda and Hyundai, Audi cars are considered top of the line when it comes to safety, even if some features come at a price. Although this one still has yet to be tested and graded by the NHTSA, the A5 Sportback (which shares the same platform) received a 5 star overall safety rating. The 2025 RS 5 comes standard with lots of different safety assistance technology features, although ones like blind spot monitoring and self parking assist are extra (as mentioned previously). Some key features are listed below: 

• Standard forward collision warning and automated emergency braking 
• Standard adaptive cruise control with stop and go capability 
• Standard lane departure warning and lane keeping assist 

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

When it comes to the warranty and maintenance coverage Audi is known for its competitiveness when compared to the other contenders in the same category. It does align with its high performance rivals from BMW or Mercedes Benz and offers the following: 

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles 
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles 
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance   

Final Thoughts

The Audi RS 5 is truly an amazing car that is completely under rated in my opinion. It goes to show, although you have to pay a little more for nice things it really is worth it in the end. This car is definitely in the top 10 list of my favourite cars for sure now. How about you? Let us know over in the comments.

Since you made it this far, why not check out a post we released a little bit ago on the life and legacy of Paul Walker linked here.