2027 Audi RS5 Initial Drive Review: Weighty, Complex, and In a Remarkable Way, Magnificent

      The most significant automotive news and reviews, no nonsense

      Our complimentary daily newsletter delivers the crucial stories straight to your inbox, every weekday.

      Over-engineered enjoyment. The 2027 Audi RS5 integrates a twin-turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain with an advanced all-wheel-drive system, providing an exhilarating driving experience.

      Heavy yet awe-inspiring. Although it weighs a substantial 5,192 pounds, the RS5 offers a thrilling ride, despite some quirks in the transmission.

      Sophisticated driving dynamics. The updated quattro system boosts agility and control, delivering a sharp driving experience across various conditions.

      Where luxury meets performance. Amenities like heated, cooled, and massaging seats, along with a state-of-the-art dashboard, highlight comfort, modern technology, and practicality.

      In summary: The 2027 Audi RS5 redefines driving pleasure with its advanced technology and captivating performance, even with a few flaws.

      AI assisted, editor reviewed

      As a kid, I had posters of the B5 RS4 and C5 RS6 on my walls. Now, the 2027 Audi RS5 is not just here to honor those legends, but also to win over skeptics (raises hand) with its turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain and exciting all-wheel-drive system, all housed in a flared widebody that tips the scales at 5,192 pounds. In a time when record lap times and horsepower figures are the usual bragging points for automakers, Audi appears to be aiming for a different goal: fast, over-engineered enjoyment. I'm all for it.

      When the car was unveiled, I scrutinized the specs—especially that weight. Then I took the car for a spin on city streets, Alpine mountain roads, and a racetrack. It was eye-opening, magical, and shockingly enjoyable, albeit not without its flaws.

      The Basics

      The new RS5 is a more powerful and performance-oriented version of the A5 and S5 that debuted in 2024. Modified by the engineers at Audi Sport, it heralds a new era of vehicles and technology for the division, at least until the RS6 Avant and other possible RS variants arrive, placing it at the top of the U.S. sports car lineup when it launches in 2027.

      Car enthusiasts will recognize the widened fenders, which are 1.57 inches broader than a regular A5. The oval exhaust finishers, centrally positioned and flanked by a racing-inspired vertical center reflector, are clear indicators of its RS lineage. However, the average person might not grasp just how expensive or powerful it truly is.

      I appreciate the A5’s design, characterized by a longer front and shorter, stout rear. The RS model has a wide stance and an understated small, raised-lip spoiler with a motorsport-inspired design, both of which I find appealing. The three-dimensional mesh grille covered in shiny piano black plastic feels a bit excessive for my liking, and I’m not a fan of the optional “crushed carbon” mirror caps or rear diffuser. That aesthetic strikes me as too much in the "Lambo Bro" category. The available 21-inch six-double-spoke diamond-cut wheels are nice but lack the visual impact of the forged, milled, and diamond-cut wheels offered on the now-discontinued RS6 Avant Performance.

      The triple-screen dashboard retains its buttonless design, aside from a volume knob, from the A5. The center console is adorned with shiny piano-black plastic or the aforementioned crushed carbon. A single panel on the driver’s door houses mirror controls, headlight settings, door locks, and seat memory functions, all on one piece of plastic, similar to the A6 E-Tron. It’s not ideal. On the plus side, the RS-specific squircle steering wheel is impressive. I preferred the feel of the suede-wrapped wheel to the dimpled leather, although it was also a new vehicle, free from someone else's greasy hand prints.

      The RS-specific digital displays feature a G-force meter, tire temperatures, and powertrain temperatures, with drive modes tucked away in menus that require one or two clicks to access. For the first time, I found the front passenger display handy for adjusting the navigation independently from the main screen. The highback sport bucket front seats are heated, cooled, and include a massage function—something noticeably absent in the $160,390 2026 RS6 Avant Performance I recently tested. The rear sport bucket seats are adequate for a 6-foot-5 person sitting behind my 5-foot-10 self on a brief journey.

      Driving Experience

      The RS5’s powertrain is complex, akin to teenage love. It features a turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 paired with a rear-mounted electric motor, which connects to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission. This electric motor is powered by a 22-kWh lithium-ion battery located beneath the cargo floor, utilizing a 400-volt electrical