2026 Audi RS5 Avant review

The new Audi RS5 Avant (B10) is following in some pretty illustrious tyre tracks, taking over from multiple generations of RS4, and Henry Catchpole has been to Morocco in North Africa to drive it. This new RS5 also represents a significant shift for Audi Sport, because it is the first RS plug-in hybrid. However, Audi has approached the technology in typically balanced fashion, ensuring electrification gives it both more practicality (in some ways) and more performance (in some ways). Increased performance comes most obviously in the guise of, yes, more power and torque. With the addition of a radial flux electric motor to the 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6, total outputs are up to 630bhp and 603lb ft of torque and the 0-62mph time is down to 3.6 seconds. But the most interesting performance upgrade is to the quattro system because there is now an electromechanical torque-vectoring rear differential with its own 10bhp, 30lb ft electric motor. It’s incredibly powerful, a world first in a production car and wouldn’t have been possible without the 400 volt architecture that came with being a PHEV. Engage 'Torque Rear’ on the Drive Select menu and you have an RS5 that is very happy to oversteer and even do donuts… The downside in terms of performance is of course that the RS5 Avant weighs 5225lb (2370kg), albeit split almost equally 49:51 front:rear. The downside in terms of practicality, is that carrying all the batteries around has also encroached on the luggage space in the boot to the tune of about 25 per cent compared to the old RS4 Avant or a non-hybrid A5. However, the practical plus point for the new PHEV system is that it allows for around 54miles of EV range, which, unlike a lot of hybrid performance cars, is a genuinely useful amount. The 25.9kWh battery can either be recharged at home (a full charge at 11kW takes approximately 2.5 hours) or on the go using the V6. The price for the new RS5 Avant starts at £92,120 in the UK. Let us know in the comments - would you rather have a new Audi RS5 Avant or a BMW M3 Touring? Or does the Saloon perhaps appeal more than the Avant this time? We’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you’re thinking about a quote for some insurance on your special car that you don’t drive every day, then just click on this link: www.hagerty.com/Henry Subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications! http://bit.ly/HagertyYouTube Visit our website for an insurance quote, to join Hagerty Drivers Club, and for daily automotive news, cars stories, reviews, and opinion: https://www.hagerty.com/Henry Like what you see? Watch our other series including: Redline Rebuilds | Time-lapse engine rebuilds from start to finish http://bit.ly/RedlineRebuild Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars http://bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter Jason Cammisa on the Icons | The definitive car review https://bit.ly/JasonCammisaICONS Revelations | Untold Stories About Automotive Legends with Jason Cammisa https://bit.ly/JasonCammisaRevelations The Driver's Seat with Henry Catchpole https://bit.ly/HenryCatchpole Contact us: Suggestions and feedback - [email protected] Press inquiries - [email protected] Partnership requests - [email protected]