Audi RS 7 Sportback Review 2023
If you're looking for a performance lease car, look no further than the Audi RS 7 Sportback. A four-door sports car with a V8 engine, a luxury interior, and phenomenal performance, the RS 7 Sportback is perfect for those looking to make a statement on the road.
Rivals to the RS 7 Sportback include the Porsche Panamera, BMW M8 Gran Coupe, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon E63, and Maserati Quattroporte.
Our Audi RS 7 Sportback review covers:
- Sporty exterior with snazzy LED headlights and creases in the body
- Superb interior with high-quality tech and great comfort levels
- 523-litre boot
- 4.0-litre V8 engine
- Three trim levels
Pros:
- Ridiculous 0-62mph speed
- Plenty of road grip
- Luxurious interior with a good amount of tech
Cons:
- Could be more engaging when cornering
- Optional extras are expensive
- Rivals offer better all-round ability
The Audi RS 7 Sportback looks the business. Sportier than the Sportback A7, on which it's based, it has 21-inch alloy wheels, slick LED headlights, and a flowing body featuring creases from front to back.
Get inside the RS 7 Sportback, and you'll find a roomy and comfortable cabin. Passengers in the front have plenty of leg and headroom, and you'll be able to fit two adults in the rear. Adding a third passenger will be a bit of a squeeze, but even with this, it's more spacious than the M8 Gran Coupe.
Boot space comes in at 523 litres, which is more than the Porsche Panamera and on par with the Maserati Quattroporte. You can also slit and fold the rear seats 40/20/40 to increase space to 1,382 litres.
You'd expect a luxurious interior for over £2,000 a month, and the RS 7 Sportback doesn't disappoint. All the materials are high-quality, and everything feels built to last; you also get RS-branded sports seats that are electrically adjustable and unbelievably comfortable.
The RS 7 Sportback is packed full of tech. On the dashboard, you get a pair of infotainment screens. The top 10-inch screen covers radio, navigation, and smartphone mirroring, while the other 8.6-inch screen controls the climate controls and convenience features.
Behind the wheel you get a 12.3-inch digital instrument display that shows all sorts of information from peak G-force levels to sat-nav directions. There's also an optional head-up display available.
Three trim levels are available: Performance, Carbon Black, and Carbon Vorsprung.
Performance has 22-inch matt grey five-spoke alloy wheels, HD matrix LED headlamps, matt grey exterior styling, an RS interior design package, and an RS sport exhaust system with black oval tailpipes.
Carbon Black adds 22-inch matt black performance tyres, a matt carbon black styling package, dinamica headlining, decorative inserts in carbon twill structure with blue contrast, and an RS interior design package plus.
Carbon Vorsprung has a panoramic sunroof, RS-sports suspension plus with dynamic ride control, and a tour and city assist pack.
Under the bonnet, you get a 4.0-litre V8 engine that's paired with an automatic gearbox and 'Quattro' four-wheel drive.
The engine returns a whopping 621bhp and can shoot from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds. Yes, you heard that right, 3.4 seconds, which is the same as the Mercedes E-Class Saloon E63 and slightly slower than the 3.2 seconds in the M8 Gran Coupe! It's also one of the most characterful engines out there and works extremely well with the gearbox.
As expected, the RS 7 Sportback churns through fuel and returns a combined fuel economy of 22.6mpg.
On the road, one of the first things you'll notice about the RS 7 Sportback is just how surefooted it is. The four-wheel drive system works superbly well and keeps the car controlled, even if you're going flat out from stationary.
Around town, the RS 7 Sportback is pretty good. Steering is light and accurate at low speeds, and the air suspension deals with bumps and cracks in the road well. The steering also tightens the turning circle at lower speeds, meaning you'll be able to navigate tight car parks easily.
As you increase to motorway speeds, the RS 7 Sportback feels settled and generates little road and wind noise while also increasing fuel efficiency at around 70mph to 30mpg.
Look towards the' Dynamic' drive mode on a country road or on a track. Here, ride comfort deteriorates at the expense of handling, with the RS 7 Sportback skittering across the road with a real kick.
If you're a bit of an enthusiast, 'RS1' or 'RS2' are customisable drive modes that allow you to set the steering and suspension how you like.
Prices for the new Audi RS 7 Sportback start from £117,500.00 OTR* or to lease from £1,681.98 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Audi RS 7 Sportback? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
