Audi RS5 2022 Review

In the high-performance four-door coupe market, consumers often have to strike a balance between ultimate performance and daily practicality — seeking a track-level acceleration experience without sacrificing rear seat space and comfort features. The 2022 Audi RS5 Sportback 2.9 TFSI quattro aims to meet this demand, featuring a 450PS twin-turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive system, and five-door liftback design as its core selling points. It retains the performance DNA of the RS series while also catering to the versatility required for family use. This review will focus on its static quality, dynamic performance, and daily practicality to determine whether this model, priced at RM 809,655, can balance "passion" and "daily life".

From a distance, the silhouette of the RS5 Sportback strikes a balance between the sleekness of a coupe and the solidity of a four-door vehicle. Its front end features Audi's signature hexagonal honeycomb grille, paired with muscular lines on the hood for a highly recognizable design; the sharply styled LED headlights on either side, integrated with daytime running lights, exude a strong technological feel. The large air intakes in the lower section of the front bumper further emphasize its performance-oriented character. Along the side profile, the sloping roofline gently descends from the B-pillar and flows seamlessly into the liftback rear, while 20-inch matte alloy wheels with 275/30 R20 wide tires enhance its sporty posture; the "quattro" insignia on the fenders and the side skirts along the doors are constant reminders of its high-performance credentials. At the rear, the dual exhaust outlets with four oval tailpipes, a hallmark of the RS series, are paired with a slightly upturned ducktail spoiler, improving both aerodynamics and visual impact. The smoked LED taillight assembly features a highly distinctive dynamic lighting effect when illuminated at night.

Inside the cabin, the interior of the RS5 Sportback is predominantly black, complemented by silver trims and Alcantara material accents, achieving a perfect blend of luxury and sportiness. The dashboard is designed to be clean and straightforward, with a 10.1-inch floating touchscreen display that offers a clear and smooth interface, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Below the screen, some physical buttons have been retained for convenient operation while driving. The steering wheel adopts a three-spoke flat-bottom design, wrapped in Nappa leather for a full and comfortable grip. Multifunction buttons on both sides enable control of multimedia, driver-assistance systems, and other features, while the paddle shifters are made from metal, providing crisp feedback. The standard HUD head-up display system projects information such as speed and navigation onto the windshield, enhancing driving safety. For seating, the front features 12-way power-adjustable sports seats that offer excellent support, particularly in the lumbar and leg areas, keeping the body securely in place during spirited driving. The rear seats are designed with a 60:40 split-folding configuration. Although headroom is slightly compromised due to the sloping roofline, passengers up to 175cm tall still have about two fist-widths of legroom, making everyday rides comfortable and practical. In terms of storage, the front door panels can hold water bottles, the center armrest box has a moderate depth, and the trunk offers a standard capacity of 480L, which can be expanded to 1300L when the rear seats are folded down, providing much greater practicality compared to traditional two-door sports coupes. As for features, the Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system delivers clear and rich audio quality, while the head-up display, automatic parking, front and rear parking sensors, and a 220V power outlet all come as part of the comprehensive equipment lineup, ensuring convenience for long-distance travel.

The RS5 Sportback is equipped with a 2.9T V6 twin-turbo engine, delivering a maximum power of 450PS/5700-6700rpm and a maximum torque of 600N·m/1900-5000rpm. It is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and a quattro all-wheel-drive system. The official 0-100km/h acceleration takes only 3.9 seconds, and in actual testing, with the ESP turned off and switched to Sport+ mode, there is slight tire slip during the start, but the quattro system quickly intervenes to adjust, maintaining vehicle stability. The final tested acceleration time is consistent with the official data. During daily driving, switching to Comfort mode allows for smooth and linear power delivery, active gear shifting, and engine speed maintained below 2000rpm, which is suitable for urban commuting. Pressing the accelerator hard will prompt the transmission to downshift quickly, providing immediate power with only a slight pedal push, delivering a strong sense of thrust when overtaking. In terms of handling, the steering wheel is precise with minimal play, and in Sport mode, the steering weight increases significantly, giving sufficient confidence. The suspension system employs adaptive air suspension, filtering out most road bumps in Comfort mode, while in Sport mode it becomes firmer, offering significantly improved support. During mountain road testing, the body roll control is excellent, and the cornering stability is impressive. The quattro system distributes power effectively to all four wheels, maintaining stability even on slippery road surfaces. The braking system also performs excellently, featuring six-piston front calipers paired with perforated brake discs, providing short and linear braking distances with no significant thermal decay even during continuous braking. As for fuel consumption, the city fuel consumption is around 12L per 100 kilometers, and on highways, it drops to about 8L per 100 kilometers, which is reasonable for a high-performance vehicle.

In terms of ride comfort, the RS5 Sportback performs well. Regarding noise isolation, the vehicle has excellent control over wind and tire noise, allowing conversations inside the car to take place without raising voices even at 120km/h on highways. The engine noise is well suppressed in Comfort mode, only making its presence felt during Sport mode through the exhaust system, creating a thrilling sound experience. For seat comfort, the front sport seats are highly supportive yet softly padded, ensuring long hours of sitting without fatigue. The rear seats have moderate cushion length and a reasonable backrest angle, making them suitable for short trips. Additionally, the standard rear air conditioning vents and USB ports enhance rear passenger comfort.

Overall, the 2022 Audi RS5 Sportback 2.9 TFSI quattro's core strength lies in its "versatility" — it combines sports car-level performance with the practicality of a four-door coupe, along with the quality and features of a luxury brand. Compared to its rival, the BMW M4 Gran Coupe, the RS5 Sportback's quattro all-wheel-drive system offers superior stability on slippery roads and more comprehensive configurations. Compared to the Mercedes-AMG C63 S, it has better fuel efficiency and offers more practical rear seat space. This car is ideal for those who seek ultimate driving pleasure while also needing to accommodate family use — for instance, high-income individuals aged between 30 and 45, who desire a vehicle that can deliver driving enjoyment on weekends without compromising daily commuting and family travel practicality. In summary, the RS5 Sportback is a "no-obvious-weakness" high-performance four-door coupe that demonstrates that high performance and practicality can coexist through its balanced attributes.