The Audi RS7 review—the last ride of a dinosaur
- Thread starter JournalBot
- Start date
So they managed to somehow make touchscreens in a car even worse?
I've never really been a fan of Audi's recent infotainment nor their instrument cluster. For some reason it feels simultaneously busy and lacking information. I don't know, I spent a week with them as rentals a few times over the past few years, and I was just never a fan.
Upvote
34
(35
/
-1)
Upvote
-10
(12
/
-22)
It's unfortunate that Audi doesn't sell more affordable wagons in America. Our only option is for a $100k+ vehicle, and if your budget is less than that the only option is a yawn inducing and poorly packaged CUV.
Upvote
38
(40
/
-2)
PatientZero
Ars Centurion
The fact that this car weighs nearly the same as the e-tron GT should quiet those folks who complain that "EVs are too heavy!", but we all know they'll just move the goalposts again.
Upvote
19
(41
/
-22)
Not a fan of the trend of decent performance wagons finally coming to the US, but with one crucial little catch, they're $125k+.
I might not know what I'm talking about, but it seems like the people that want them can't afford them, and the people that can afford them don't want them.
I might not know what I'm talking about, but it seems like the people that want them can't afford them, and the people that can afford them don't want them.
Upvote
49
(50
/
-1)
The 2026 Outback is supposedly going full SUV. I should have kept my 2000 Legacy wagon. Pour one out for the last of the station wagons. We hardly knew ya.
Upvote
29
(29
/
0)
I just have to think that if you have $125k to spend on a performance minded car, you're probably looking at sports / performance staples like the 911 Carrera, or Corvette Z06. (or Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak Super God Mode +?)
Or you're leaning towards going really over the top for comfort and quality with the luxury of a fully loaded BMW 7 series or equally optioned-out Cadillac Escalade. The interiors and comfort features be beat at the price point.
Or as we know how car trends have gone lately, the biggest best pickup truck or family SUV you can buy (GMC Sierra AT4, max'd out Chevy Suburban) and not have to break the $125k point.
What will piss me off is if these cars finally come over to be available in the USA, don't sell well outside of the very niche group of enthusiasts that can afford them, then are killed off in a generation or two again because "they didn't sell well."
Or you're leaning towards going really over the top for comfort and quality with the luxury of a fully loaded BMW 7 series or equally optioned-out Cadillac Escalade. The interiors and comfort features be beat at the price point.
Or as we know how car trends have gone lately, the biggest best pickup truck or family SUV you can buy (GMC Sierra AT4, max'd out Chevy Suburban) and not have to break the $125k point.
What will piss me off is if these cars finally come over to be available in the USA, don't sell well outside of the very niche group of enthusiasts that can afford them, then are killed off in a generation or two again because "they didn't sell well."
Upvote
19
(23
/
-4)
I know I must be in the minority (because I assume it would be an option otherwise), but I absolutely loved driving the A6 wagon around Italy, and every year I look to see if they are bringing something similar to the US. Admittedly, they are bringing something similar, in the sense that this is similar to a Domino's pizza. Seems like we're going to stick with America's current options of trucks, SUVs, sports cars, and mediocre economy cars (but not small or really cheap economy cars).
Anyway, the Audi's are awfully pretty, even if they are out of my price range. Thanks for the review, it's fun to dream.
Anyway, the Audi's are awfully pretty, even if they are out of my price range. Thanks for the review, it's fun to dream.
Upvote
26
(26
/
0)
Not to knock this car but as a metaphor for the entire fading scene of IC engines: the entire front of the vehicle is dominated by elaborate methods to shed wasted energy.
Upvote
15
(28
/
-13)
The new Audi naming scheme confounds me. The new gas A4 sedan and wagon are now the A5. The A6 is going to become electric and the next-generation ICE sedan and wagon that size is going to be the A7. Why not just call them the A4 and A4 EV? Or A4e? Eventually they're all going to be electric, so why are they renaming popular vehicles that have been called one thing for 25 years? If anything, why not make the A5 and A7 the electric models?
As usual, the Germans are heavily, heavily overthinking everything in a way that will end up complicating things later, and I have no idea why they do that. But I guess the folks that brought us the engine-out timing belt change gotta stay in character.
I always liked the A7, in any case. Fastbacks make more sense than sedans, and it had a nice rakish thing going that had a lot more visual punch.
As usual, the Germans are heavily, heavily overthinking everything in a way that will end up complicating things later, and I have no idea why they do that. But I guess the folks that brought us the engine-out timing belt change gotta stay in character.
I always liked the A7, in any case. Fastbacks make more sense than sedans, and it had a nice rakish thing going that had a lot more visual punch.
Upvote
19
(21
/
-2)
When you have $125k to spend on a performance minded car, you want exactly what you want, and the kind of rich guy who's really into cars is often into really weird cars. A lot of them do want 911s and Corvettes, but I pass an RS6 Avant in amethyst metallic purple a couple times a week on the way to work, and there's a Mamba Green Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo in my neighborhood. The heart wants what the heart wants, and a lot of guys my age are finally into seven figures and have been besotted with Audi (or Porsche, or AMG, or M) since small times. And that guy can finally afford to walk into the dealer and tell the sales guy to make him whole.
And there's a certain flex to being the true enthusiast, among the cognoscenti, a little eccentric in that way that the ones really in the know are. That guy wants the one that says he's The Most Interesting Man In the World, not just another tasteless rich guy. Sometimes they really are that guy, even. So they want the RS7 or a purple 550hp station wagon or a Taycan wagon in screaming metallic green instead of an Escalade, and they wear a Vacheron rather than a Rolex.
Wagon fans beg and plead and whine that they just don't get any of the good wagons over here, but every time a manufacturer has tried, wagon fans never actually showed up and bought or leased them new. We have gotten so many second, third, fourth chances from companies that keep getting burned when they try to offer a wagon. You can't not buy them and then complain when they get pulled because they literally, factually, did not sell well.
Shit like the M5 Touring and RS6 Avant, they actually sell a few of, because weird rich guys with idiosyncratic tastes have the money to actually roll up to the dealer and say, "and I'd like that with paint-to-sample metallic purple, please. And red seat belts. Make it so,"
Last edited:
Upvote
33
(36
/
-3)
Enthusiast buyers at this price point are also often looking to diversify. They want a sports car (third car), and a couple of practical cars. They can justify spending a bunch on a special sports car and then be fine with some more pedestrian practical cars. To put a high end sports car and an RS7/6 in the garage raises the hurdle a not inconsiderable amount, particularly when the "rocket sled" luxury family hauler role is really easily filled by an EV the same or lower price points without giving up much.
I really closely looked at an RS6 because I wanted a super-wagon but couldn't quite justify it. With my commute and lifestyle an EV that I'm OK putting two big dogs in, driving in the snow and on salted roads just made more sense in addition to being much cheaper to run and own. If my spouse were to start commuting again and take the EV then I am pained to say I'm still not sure that I'd pop for an RS6... a Taycan Sport Turismo might be the better option for a super-wagon.
Upvote
-1
(5
/
-6)
My dad has a Taycan ST. It's......pretty fuckin' good, I have to say.
Upvote
8
(9
/
-1)
The A4 Allroad ($50k) has been available for a long time and now we also have an A6 Allroad ($70k) available on top of the RS6 Avant. You might not like them, but we do have an affordable luxury wagon and a slightly larger and fancier luxury wagon available from them.
Under $100k, in the CUV realm, they have the $75k Q8 e-tron, $90k SQ8 e-tron, $63k SQ5 (with adaptive air suspension, should be standard but isn't), and squeezing in just under $100k you get the SQ8. So I'm not sure why you're implying that there's only one option. And those are just the ones that I found most fun to drive.
Upvote
15
(15
/
0)
Audi: imports mega-expensive wagon into NA
Everyone: "I want one, but can't afford it"
Audi: "Why is nobody buying our wagons? Stupid Americans..."
Everyone: "I want one, but can't afford it"
Audi: "Why is nobody buying our wagons? Stupid Americans..."
Upvote
9
(10
/
-1)
Apparently the same story for the hot-hatch segment. I really appreciate the mixture of form and function of my (now being even more restomodded, don't tell my wife) 1991 Honda CRX SI. When new, it had: Great lines. Practical 2 person transport. Delightful handling. Surprising cargo capacity. Great fuel economy. I bought it in 2001 with 141,000 miles on it. It was very well maintained. At 185,000 it had started to burn some oil and a freind of a friend's perfomance tuner specialized in Honda tuning. He swapped in a JDM B17 engine that had been bore 140cm over. Tuner proceeded to add a multitude of Integra componentry, GSR VTEC heads, complete suspension componentry, brakes, 15 inch rims. Then front and back anti roll bar, Jackson Racing supercharger. He had the only dynomometer between SF and Portland and my car pushed 151 ft pounds of torque. From 1700 RPM to 10,000. Maxed at 255 BHP. At the wheels. Significantly more than the stock 108 for that model, which was already sprightly as the car weighed in right around 2000 pounds. I swapped out the hood and hatch for Seibon CF units and the hatch glass is acryllic. Not sure of curb weight now. It absolutely jumps now, though. No matter where you are in the rev range. I still get 25 miles per gallon. It goes and stops aggressively. If needed. Handles better now than stock. I did keep and have modded to fit, the AC unit and added an upscale sound sytem and unlike this Audi I added sound deadening material under the carpets and had a rust resisting undercar coating applied. I call it a Micro GT, as opposed to a pure sports car, due to creature comforts added.
Upvote
15
(15
/
0)
I wonder how well it drives thru water - you know, like from hurricane Helene that it caused.
Why is an ICE vehicle even being covered? Fossil fuel use must go away ASAP, completely. Rich countries should be sending massive resources to developing ones to jumpstart green energy. If leaders weren't so stupid/corrupt, they'd understand that's WAY cheaper than what's just around the corner weather-wise...
If ICE are covered, the minimum for decency is to mention the damage that they directly cause.
Upvote
-11
(14
/
-25)
Yea, the real problem I find is that modern explicit station wagons, like a Mazda 6 wagon, or a BMW M5 wagon are really really tight vehicles. Before buying my first Outback as family car, I tried a bunch of them. In the Mazda, I swear I could not fit in the drivers seat properly. The ceiling was too low for me. (I am 190...). Or in the BMW the drivers seat was perfectly fine, a bit too much like a glove but that's a style thing I guess. But the rear bench was ABSOLUTELY useless! TF? Nobody could sit there.
Then comes the Outback, where I can drive with a hat on (forgot once coming from a bushwalk), and I can sit comfortly in the rear seat behind me.
Try any of that in a modern station wagon.
Upvote
-4
(2
/
-6)
Upvote
2
(4
/
-2)
Exactly - it really makes sense why so many people gravitated toward CUVs. They want comfortable ingress and egress, and space, and perhaps a bit more ground clearance (though for most, it's just in case you need to drive through grass or gravel when parking at the soccer tournament -- and for that lot, the appearance of being able to go off-road is nearly as valuable as the ability to do so). Very little of it has to do with efficiency, practicality, or what is needed, which is true of a lot of consumer goods.
As to the RS6 Avant and RS7, they are passion purchases. The A6 Allroad, 5 series wagon, etc are really more than most people would ever need unless you're doing some serious off-roading or need a third row, or some more unique/individualized reason.
Upvote
5
(6
/
-1)
I didn’t know these even existed until I saw one leave a parking lot the other day. Exhaust sounded awesome.
Upvote
-4
(5
/
-9)
An ICE sports car is only fun because, and to the extent that, it is hard to drive. Motorsports used to make sense like that, because flogging the car was an actual skill. For an old guy like me it's hard to really understand the appeal of these highly sophisticated ICE rigs that do everything for you. If you just want to go fast, EVs are right there. If you want a sports car for actual fun, then a 1972 Ford Escort, a trailer, a truck, and a lifetime supply of tires would leave you with $100k left over.
Upvote
-2
(8
/
-10)
The one and only reason a person straight-pipes their diesel is because they are an asshole, and no amount of "look at what you made me do" can redeem that person.
Upvote
50
(53
/
-3)
Not agreeing with the OP, but it seems awfully strange that you let others' opinions dictate your actions.
Upvote
26
(27
/
-1)
People like you making it embarrassing for the rest of us to be ICEV enjoyers.
Upvote
18
(20
/
-2)
So I had the Mercedes equivalent of the RS6, the e63s wagon. Actually, coincidentally, it replaced my Audi RS7 precisely because I wanted a wagon.
Buyers of the RS6 or e63s are probably enthusiasts who also have a fun performance car. In my case I had a Lotus Evora GT for fun, but the wagon was the practical car. I could (and did) put a bike in the back, or 4 people with skis and gear, or a bunch of stuff from Home Depot.
Like others, I do wish there was a performance wagon that didn't cost $125K, or come with a hand-built engine that is a ticking $60,000 timebomb. But the e63s was an extraordinarily comfortable, well optioned, and fun to drive car.
Upvote
13
(13
/
0)
Always loved the look of Audi sedans, not a giant fan of them going the BMW route of giant grilles though.
Upvote
2
(3
/
-1)
I remember test driving the E63S wagon — I wanted a plain E350 but they didn't have any — and just mentally counting all the parts. AWD, 9-speed, twin turbo, DOHC V-8 with variable valve timing. It's what you would do if your goal was to maximize the number of moving parts.
Upvote
5
(5
/
0)
I’d prefer not to see empty, sanctimonious climate kabuki in car threads just because you feel like putting on a little performance.
If ICE are covered, the minimum for decency is to mention the damage that they directly cause.
Upvote
16
(24
/
-8)
I most certainly wanted one…in 2013 or so while living in SF and commuting to Silicon Valley.
Come to think of it, all of the reasons I left there and came home are the same reasons I don’t want one anymore.
Crazy how in a scant few years they basically became dinosaurs.
Come to think of it, all of the reasons I left there and came home are the same reasons I don’t want one anymore.
Crazy how in a scant few years they basically became dinosaurs.
Upvote
-2
(1
/
-3)
From experience I can say that when buying and RS6, I'm likely not the only one that also has a 911 and luxury SUV (Macan GTS). The RS6 to me is the perfect ICE swan song. It's patently absurd yet absolutely docile and easy to live with. I wanted a nuts car for my last ICE and the RS6 fit the bill perfectly.
Upvote
7
(7
/
0)
I believe they still sell an A4 and A6 Allroad--granted those still start in the 50K and 70K range, respectively.
Upvote
4
(4
/
0)
VAG stopped bringing wagons here because nobody bought them despite all of us capable of buying one screaming at them to bring them.
In brown.
Upvote
2
(2
/
0)