Summary
The Audi RS 7 is a high-performance, luxury five-door liftback based on the regular Audi A7 Sportback range. This is the second-generation model, which arrived in the UK in late 2019.
Officially named the RS 7 Sportback, this sporty Audi has received a largely positive collection of review scores from the British motoring media – praised for its upmarket interior, which Car says is “tech heavy” and “beautifully built”, and its performance, which the Carwow team argues would “give some supercars a run for their money”.
“The Audi RS 7 is very, very good”, says Jeremy Clarkson writing for the Sunday Times. “Knock off £25,000 and you’ve got a deal.”
The majority of reviewers agree with this sentiment – the RS 7 is an impressive performance package, but the asking price is steep, even by Audi RS standards. “It’s a model that still lies in the shadows of the RS 6“, Car Key‘s Ted Welford explains. “The wagon offers a better mix of practicality and affordability.”
While Top Gear describes the RS 7 as “genuine fun” on the road, announcing that it’s a proper rival to the likes of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E 63, others do not find the liftback as appealing, instead recommending the Mercedes-AMG GT 4 Door, or the slightly quicker all-electric Porsche Taycan.
As of January 2025, the Audi RS 7 holds a New Car Expert Rating of E with a score of 54%.
RS 7 highlights
- Blistering pace and acceleration
- Plenty of grip in high-speed corners
- Well-built upmarket interior
- Large boot
RS 7 lowlights
- Expensive, base price and up
- Rivals are more fun to drive
- Firm suspension
- RS 6 is cheaper and more practical
Key specifications
Body style: Large liftback
Engines: petrol
Price: From £118,545 on-road
Launched: Winter 2019/20
Last updated: Winter 2022/23
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“The RS 7 Sportback feels more relevant since Audi distanced it from the now-diesel S7, and it’s undoubtedly more involving to drive than its predecessor, too.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“In many ways, the RS7 Sportback is exactly how you expect it’s going to be. Tech heavy, beautifully built, fantastic on the autobahn and completed by a tuneful V8 soundtrack. As it’s based on a large five-door fastback, that it’s practical as well as good looking is also what you’d expect.”
Read review
Car Keys
Score: 9 / 10
“Despite the RS 7’s best efforts, it’s a model that still lies in the shadows of the RS 6. That’s really no fault of its own, it’s just because the wagon offers a better mix of practicality and affordability than the model tested here.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi RS7 Sportback is a large luxury hatchback that blends big performance with an equally impressive interior, plus plenty of space and everyday usability.”
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“The Audi RS7 Sportback is an incredibly fast four-door coupe that’ll give some supercars a run for their money. It looks great inside too, but alternatives are more involving to drive.”
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Evo
Model reviewed: Performance
Score: 8 / 10
“Faster, sharper and more involving than before, the Audi RS 7 Performance is a true force of nature.” (Yousuf Ashraf)
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed:
Score: 9 / 10
“The Audi RS 7 combines coupe styling, practicality and monstrous performance.”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“The Audi RS 7 is very, very good. Knock off £25,000 and you’ve got a deal.”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed:
“The Audi RS 7 is ferociously fast and capable, but where’s the fun?”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“An Audi RS that nails its basics but also sprinkles in some genuine fun. The RS 7 proper E63 and M5 rival at last.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2019
Date expired: January 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 93%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 81%
Safety assist: 76%
The Audi RS 7 shares its safety rating with the regular Audi A7 range which was awarded a five-star score in 2018. However, this rating expired in January 2025 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used RS 7 to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Audi RS 7 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. Due to its price and exclusivity, it is unlikely to have its emissions tested in the future.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 230
Average repair cost: £1316.77
Last updated: January 2025
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Audi A7 range (including the RS 7) has a reliability score that’s very low, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both the current-generation A7 and the original (pre-2018) version.
Around a quarter of all reported problems with the A7 relate to its engine, and repairs of this nature have an alarming average repair bill of about £1,400. Be aware of gearbox issues, too – they are expensive and rather common, with an average repair bill of more than £3,100.
If you’re looking at a used Audi RS 7, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 23 mpg | E | 23 – 23 mpg | E – E |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 280 g/km | D | 276 – 284 g/km | D – D |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 50 | F | 50 – 50 | F – F |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £630 | D |
Year 2 | £1,506 | D |
Year 3 | £2,400 | D |
Year 4 | £2,716 | D |
Year 5 | £3,712 | D |
Overall | £10,964 | D |
Running costs for the Audi RS 7 Sportback are inevitably high, according to numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Given that it’s powered by a 600hp, twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, the RS 7’s woeful fuel consumption and CO2 figures (which are used to determine road tax) are to be expected. Likewise, its performance and price tag mean that insurance costs will be at the top end of town.
Finally, scheduled servicing costs will be unsurprisingly expensive as well – although not quite as pricey as some other cars in this price bracket.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Audi RS 7, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio | Audi RS 6 | BMW M5 | BMW M8 Gran Coupé | Maserati Ghibli Trofeo | Mercedes-AMG E 63 | Mercedes AMG GT 4 Door | Porsche Panamera | Porsche Taycan
More information
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