2023 Audi RS 5 Sportback

History/Overview

The Audi RS 5 Sportback is the highest-performance version of the brand’s compact luxury four-door coupe, which combines the practicality of a fastback body style with more aggressive styling and power compared to the mid-range S5 Sportback model; the S5 and the entry-level A5 Sportback are both covered in separate buyer’s guide entries.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

Audi has added some new standard features to the RS 5 Sportback, along with a newly optional competition package.

Available Trims

Audi offers the RS 5 Sportback in a single trim, which is powered by a turbo 2.9L V6, an eight-speed transmission, and Quattro AWD.

Standard Features

New this year, the RS 5 comes dressed with a variety of black exterior trim pieces and black 20-inch wheels; other new items are honeycomb Nappa leather, wireless phone charging, rear-seat USB ports, wireless phone integration, and a B&O stereo. Audi has also made standard a bunch of advanced driver aids that were optional last year.

Like last year’s car, the 2023 RS 5 Sportback comes with sport suspension and differential, matrix LED laser headlights with washers, power-folding/auto-dimming side mirrors, and passive keyless entry with hands-free trunk opening. Inside, there are heated front seats, ambient lighting, three-zone A/C, a heated steering wheel, auto-dimming mirror with compass and toll module, and a sunroof.

The infotainment system is built around a 10.1-inch touchscreen and contains navigation and satellite radio.

This year’s newly standard safety features include adaptive cruise, road sign recognition, pre-sense front, active lane and traffic jam assists, and top-view cameras. Items carried forward from last year are front and rear collision mitigation, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Key Options

The new-for-2023 competition pack adds a unique wheel design, revised ECU/differential tuning, a sport exhaust, lowered suspension, combination dinamica/leather upholstery, a higher top speed limiter, and Alcantara cabin trim.

There’s also an Audi sport package of a sport suspension with ride control and a higher speed limiter.

Fuel Economy

Audi’s fuel consumption estimates are 13.2/9.3 L/100 km (city/highway).

Competition

If you’re in the market for a quick, upscale four-door with a hatchback, your options are the RS 5 Sportback, Mercedes-AMG CLS 53, and, at a lower price point, the Kia Stinger.