2021 Audi RS 5

The RS 5 is only offered as a standalone and single trim, and only as a coupe. It also comes with Quattro all-wheel drive only. As mentioned previously, it comes with upgraded styling for the 2021 model year. It also features a new 10.1” infotainment screen and a new RS sport tuned suspension. It is a very well equipped car that comes with the following features.

Which Trim should you buy?

Obviously, there is only one trim to choose from. If you are concerned just about the performance, consider getting the RS Driver Assistance Package which adds Sport Suspension and Sport Exhaust system. If you are more into aesthetics, you can grab the Black Optic Package, and for more driver assistance features, there is the RS Driver Assistance Package. The RS Driver Assistance Package adds traffic sign recognition, top-view camera system, Audi active lane assist, hands-on detection steering wheel, heads-up display, etc. 

The RS 5 has okay-ish fuel economy figures for its powerful powerplant. The EPA estimates are 18 MPG for the city, 25 MPG for the highway, 20 MPG for combined driving. The fuel efficiency is not that great, but it doesn’t matter. If you can afford to buy this German coupe, then you can also afford to fuel this beast relatively easily. With a gas tank size of 15.3 gallons, the range that the coupe can go on a full tank is about 275/382/306 miles for city/highway/combined driving cycles respectively. 

The Merc quite easily beats the rest of the competition with the best fuel economy and also the largest tank. It can go uninterrupted for over 400 miles easily on a full tank, while the rest struggle to hit 300 or 350 miles in the combined cycles. However, this is not a big priority in this segment.

Audi never fails to craft beautiful and premium interiors, regardless of the price and the segment the car is in. The 2021 Audi RS 5 Coupe oozes beauty and luxury throughout. The dashboard has a simple but functional design. Quilted leather is the standard, and the carbon inlays and aluminum interior trims further uplift the ambience. There is dual-zone automatic climate control along with ambient lighting to illuminate the interior. The center console has Nappa leather, while the door trim insert is Alcantara. 

The front seats adorned in beautiful leather can have either red stitching or black stitching. The seats have honeycomb pattern stitching and the “RS” logo embossed on them. And there is heated S Sport seats with 8-way power adjustability and 4-way power lumbar with driver memory, seat massage and power side bolsters. The front row is very spacious, but the rear row is only meant for the smallest of children, as is usually the case with Coupes. The coupe offers just about 10.9 cubic feet of cargo storage, which would only fit your weekly groceries and maybe a couple of suitcases at most. 

The front row is very spacious for all the cars, while the Lexus offers the highest legroom. The rear row of the Lexus is equally cramped, and the Bimmer makes slightly more effort than the Audi. The Mercedes is the most spacious overall, also due to the fact that it is a larger car. The cargo capacity of the BMW is easily the best, while the rest are all around the same.

Some interior features include:

• Heated S Sports seats with 10-way power adjustability
• Heated leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel
• Quilted leather upholstery
• Alcantara simulated suede door trim insert
• Aluminum door panel insert
• Nappa leather console insert
• Refrigerated box in the glovebox

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The RS 5 will come with an upgraded 10.1” infotainment touchscreen that gracefully sticks out from the center of the dashboard. It runs on Audi’s MMI infotainment system, which is easy to use, intuitive, and also quite responsive. The standard list of features includes Audi Connect CARE, Audi smartphone interface with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM Radio, USB ports. You can also upgrade and get an MMI Navigation Plus for easy in-built navigation. The best part is the inclusion of the 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, which would make your driving all the more enjoyable.

Highlights of the infotainment system are:

• 10.1” MMI infotainment system
• Audi Connect CARE
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• MMI Navigation Plus (optional)
• SiriusXM Radio
• Bluetooth
• 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system

One of the most exciting aspects of the 2021 Audi RS 5 Coupe is the sheer style and sportiness it portrays and the way it draws you from the very first moment you lay your eyes on it. The design has been changed to make it look more aggressive and give it a sportier stance. The headlights are divided into small LED parts that are called the “Matrix-design”. The three narrow intakes between the headlights hover over the classic Audi grille. The side grilles also look pretty cool. The hood has muscular lines and arches flowing to the front. 

Moving to the side profile, you are greeted with wider wheel arches and fenders with the gently sloping roofline flowing to the rear. The rear end sees the LED Matrix-designed taillights for extra flair. A tiny spoiler sits above the trunk and the dual exhausts finish off the extremely appeasing look. The car sits on 19” wheels as standard, but you can get 20” ones. There are numerous cosmetic upgrade packages available, and you should check out the Black Optic package.

The E53 coupe is the heaviest and also has the largest wheelbase. Meanwhile, the Audi and the Lexus enjoy the small wheelbase and the stout look that comes with it. Every car looks different, but there isn’t much of a difference in terms of the dimensions if you leave the Mercedes aside.

Some exterior features are:

• 19” 10-spoke-star forged design
• Speed sensitive rain wipers
• Blacked out grille
• Matrix-designed laser supplement LED DRLs
• LED brake lights
• Front fog lamps

Audi makes safe cars, that is without a doubt. But unfortunately, the RS 5 has not been able to undergo testing at either NHTSA or IIHS. Part of the reason is the high price and the exclusivity of such a car. These aren’t readily available for smashing into walls. Anyway, the A5, which is essentially a younger sibling to the RS 5 and is based on the same platform. The A5 has achieved great ratings from IIHS. So, we reckon the RS 5 would also be a very safe car if it were ever to be tested. It comes with a host of standard safety and driver assistance features, and more are available as options. Some of them are:

• Front and rear parking sensors
• Audi Pre Sense Basic 
• Lane departure warning
• Traffic sign recognition (optional)
• Top view camera system (optional)
• Audi Active Lane Assist (optional)
• Park Assist (optional)

2021 Audi RS 5 Coupe vs 2021 BMW M4 Coupe

The M4 is a very tough competitor to the RS 5. Not only does it cater to enthusiasts with the availability of RWD, but it also is more practical with more interior space and larger trunk size.

It produces more power than RS 5 but the RS 5 has quicker acceleration. However, when it comes to that ugly grille and the styling, we would understand if people go with the Audi instead. But if you want practicality in exchange of a little bit of performance, then the M4 is also a good choice.

2021 Audi RS 5 Coupe vs 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 53 Coupe

The Mercedes offers yet another German vs German showdown. While the E 53 might not be as fast as the RS 5, the E 53 is simply more practical. Not only it offers better fuel economy and range, but it also more interior and trunk space.

The Merc also handles very well and has a beautiful interior with Merc’s advanced safety features. The styling is classic Merc, more aristocratic, and less aggressive. Once again, for performance the Audi, for practicality, the E 53.

2021 Audi RS 5 Coupe vs 2021 Lexus RC F Coupe

The Japanese coupe is all about style and grandeur. While the Lexus has more power than the German, it is not as swift as the Audi. However, the Japanese are significantly cheaper. Both offer similar levels of gas mileage.

The RC F is not as practical as the Audi, since it has a more cramped rear row. But both of them offer luxurious interiors. Lexus has the big advantage with its reliability and also rivals the German the most in terms of outlandish styling and sportiness. Some people might like the look of the Lexus more. 

The 2021 Audi RS 5 Coupe is an extremely compelling vehicle that draws your attention right from the get-go. Not only is it stylish and outlandish, but it also has an extremely well-crafted and premium interiors with the best quality materials. The performance will blow anyone’s mind away. However, rivals such as the M4 are more practical and also handle better. For a more authentic sports car feeling, the M4 does a better job; but the RS 5 is a more comfortable option that will be easier to live with.