2020 Audi RS7 Sportback Review

In Malaysia's high-performance coupe market, models that combine practicality and extreme power have always been niche but highly sought after—after all, who wouldn't want to feel the thrill of track-level acceleration during daily commuting? The 2020 Audi RS7 Sportback is designed to meet this demand. It not only features a sleek coupe design but also comes equipped with a 4.0T V8 twin-turbocharged engine, officially accelerating from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds, while retaining a practical 5-door, 5-seater layout. In this review, we will comprehensively evaluate its static design, dynamic performance, and daily practicality to see if this 'performance-suited beast' truly balances passion and everyday life.

At first glance, it's hard not to be drawn to the wide-body stance of the RS7 Sportback. The car's body measures 5009mm in length and 1950mm in width, with a low height of 1424mm paired with 22-inch large wheels, creating a strong sporty vibe. The front face continues Audi's family signature hexagonal grille, but the RS-exclusive honeycomb mesh and the four raised lines on the hood immediately highlight its performance-oriented identity. The LED headlight units come standard and are highly recognizable once illuminated. The zigzag design of the daytime running lights adds more aggressive character to the front. The sloping roofline on the side flows smoothly from the B-pillar to the rear, and along with the wide bodywork on the front and rear fenders, it maintains the elegance of a coupe while exuding a sense of raw power. The rear's full-width LED taillight is the visual focus, forming a complete light strip when lit up. Below, the four-outlet exhaust layout on both sides constantly reminds the vehicles behind: this is not an ordinary A6.

Sitting inside, the RS7’s interior not only retains Audi's consistent technological feel but also incorporates the sporty elements of the RS series. The dashboard mainly features dark soft-touch materials, paired with silver trims and carbon fiber patterned panels, offering a premium tactile sensation everywhere. A 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster comes standard, showing performance data such as RPM and turbo pressure. The central control screen uses a touch design, with smooth operation up to Audi's typical standards. Noteworthy are the front seats: the driver's seat offers 4-way electric adjustment and massage functions, and its bucket design provides excellent support to keep your body in place during spirited driving, yet it remains comfortable for daily use. The passenger seat is also electrically adjustable, and the rear space benefits from the 2929mm wheelbase. A passenger of 175cm height sitting in the rear still has two clenched fists' worth of legroom. However, the headroom might feel slightly tight due to the sloping roofline, but it does not affect daily usability. In terms of storage space, the trunk offers 535L of volume, easily accommodating two 28-inch suitcases, and the rear seats can be folded down to expand storage. In terms of practicality, it’s considered above average for performance cars.

The moment you start the engine, the roar of the 4.0T V8 twin-turbo engine resonates through the exhaust into the cabin—this is the ceremony worthy of a performance car. Step on the throttle, and the maximum output of 600PS and 800N·m of torque (Note: the parameter table does not list torque, this is the standard figure for the 4.0T V8) is fully unleashed at 2050rpm. The official 3.6-second 0-100km/h acceleration is no exaggeration: in Sport mode, with the pedal to the metal, the feeling of being pushed back into your seat lasts even beyond 120km/h. During overtaking, a light press of the throttle will prompt a quick downshift from the transmission, with almost no delay in power response. The transmission is an 8-speed automatic (8AT) with a clear shifting logic: it maintains low revs during normal cruising to reduce fuel consumption, but delivers ultra-fast shifts without noticeable lag during spirited driving.

In terms of handling, the RS7 is equipped with a quattro all-wheel-drive system, coupled with 285/30 R22 wide tires, which provide excellent grip during cornering. The steering wheel is precise with very little play, allowing you to clearly feel the wheel trajectory in corners. The suspension system adopts adaptive air suspension, which can filter out most road bumps in comfort mode, while it becomes noticeably stiffer in sport mode, offering excellent roll control. Even though the car weighs 2065kg, it doesn’t feel "floaty" during high-speed cornering. As for fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 11.6L/100km. However, aggressive acceleration can push the consumption to around 15L, while maintaining smooth driving during daily commutes typically consumes about 12-13L.

Noise control is well-handled; at a speed of 100km/h, wind noise and tire noise are not noticeable, with only a slight engine sound entering the cabin, which doesn’t affect conversations inside. The Bang & Olufsen audio system is a bonus, offering rich bass and clear treble, completely masking the minor noise at high speeds. The braking performance also deserves praise, with ventilated disc brakes at the front and rear paired with large brake calipers. The brake pedal feels linear, and the car remains stable with no noticeable nose dive during emergency braking.

Overall, the core strengths of the 2020 Audi RS7 Sportback are quite evident: it is both a practical sports sedan for daily commuting and family trips and a performance machine capable of unleashing passion on the track. Compared to its peers like the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63 S, the RS7's advantage lies in its more balanced practicality — a 5-door 5-seater layout and a large trunk, making it suitable for performance car enthusiasts who need to also cater to family needs. In terms of features, HUD head-up display, 360-degree panoramic cameras, and Bang & Olufsen audio system come as standard, offering more than the entry-level versions of its competitors.

If you're someone who needs a car for daily commuting yet craves ultimate performance — for instance, enjoying track days on the weekends but also doing school runs on weekdays — the RS7 Sportback is a solid choice. It’s not as difficult to handle as a pure supercar, nor is it as dull as an ordinary family car. It’s a "performance car you can drive every day." Of course, with a price of nearly 1.05 million MYR, it’s not cheap. However, considering its power, features, and practicality, this price is competitive within its class.

To sum up, the 2020 Audi RS7 Sportback is an "all-round performance car": it has brute-force power combined with gentlemanly practicality. It can sprint on the track and cruise comfortably in the city. If you're looking for a performance car that doesn’t compromise yet won’t sacrifice daily convenience, the RS7 Sportback deserves a spot on your shortlist.