2021 Audi RS 5 Coupe

History/Overview

The Audi RS 5 is a high-performance variant of the brand’s stylish A5 coupe. While the A5 was introduced in the late 2000s, the RS 5 is a newer addition that dates back to the 2014 model year.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

This year brings a significant update to Audi’s speedy compact coupe, which gains numerous new standard features, which we’ll detail below.

Available Trims

The RS 5 comes in a single trim. It’s powered by a 2.9L turbocharged V6 that comes matched with an eight-speed transmission and Audi’s Quattro AWD system.

Standard Features

First, here’s a look at the features that are new to the RS 5’s standard kit.

In the tech department, there’s a new 10.1-inch touchscreen to replace last year’s smaller display. Audi has also added its virtual cockpit digital gauge display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with built-in toll module, and a smartphone interface with wireless Apple CarPlay. There’s also a new three-spoke heated leather steering wheel with shift paddles.

New to the RS 5’s exterior are 20-inch wheels in a matte titanium finish, LED matrix headlights with laser light, and dynamic LED taillights with animation.

And new standard safety kit includes lane departure warning, city-speed forward collision avoidance, rear collision mitigation, and an exit warning system.

Key standard features carried forward from last year include power front seats with navigation and massage, navigation, a 10-speaker stereo, panoramic sunroof, Alcantara/leather upholstery, three-zone climate control, heated front seats, rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, lighted door sills, heated/power-folding side mirrors, a hands-free trunk release, and tire pressure monitoring.

Key Options

A premium package adds ambient cabin lighting, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, honeycomb-stitched Nappa upholstery, rear-seat USB charging, and a top-view camera.

The advanced driver assistance pack brings adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, traffic congestion assist, active lane assist, traffic sign recognition, and all-speed forward collision avoidance.

A sport package gets a sport suspension, dynamic steering, a higher speed limiter, and direct tire pressure monitoring.

You can also add a flat-bottom Alcantara steering wheel, which comes with other cosmetic upgrades.

The rest of the RS 5’s options are cosmetic packs, like black optics, a carbon optics group, and a bronze package.

Fuel Economy

As of this writing, Audi had not published fuel consumption estimates for the 2021 RS 5. However, those figures should be similar to those for last year’s car, which are 13.3/8.7 L/100 km (city/highway). We’ll update this article when Audi releases its latest information.

Competition

With the RS5, Audi competes primarily with luxury performance coupes like the BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG’s C 63.