Style and breathtaking acceleration are usually reserved for coupes and supercars, but Audi has achieved it with a large station wagon.
With a twin turbo V-8 good for 591 hp for 2023 (or 621 hp for 2024 models), this AWD super sedan will humble many sports cars when it comes to acceleration. The handling with the special dynamic ride control suspension can go from tight sports car to comfortable touring car with a touch of a button.
The optional carbon ceramics brakes will warp your mind with immense and immediate force when needed. A fun game I played with passengers was, “guess the stopping point.” The car would amaze them when we were well short of the point. The car is a tremendous all-around ride with the ability to hit a racetrack, back roads and the daily commute without issues.
Usually when you hear station wagon, you think, “boring box on wheels.” The RS 6 Avant kills that thought with aggressive looks that get you noticed. From the wide blacked-out grill out front to the huge 22-inch wheels that fill flared fenders, it gives off that all-business look of a serious sports car. The roof line slopes a bit at the back and there’s a rear wing and large oval exhaust pipes to let out the sound of that V-8.
Grab a seat in the six figure RS 6 Avant and luxury is the name of the game. Leather covers the seats, dash, armrests and console with a contrast stitching that really dresses up this cabin. There are also touches that convey its sporty side like carbon fiber and aluminum trim pieces used throughout the cabin.
Back seat riders will enjoy heated seats and enough space for most passengers. The station wagon design allows for generous cargo space for larger items. The cockpit and center console are a digital affair with high-resolution screens replacing the normal gauges, knobs and buttons.
Cost: $121,900; as tested $158,105
MPG: 14 mpg city; 21 mpg highway. I managed 16.3 mpg in 308 miles of mixed driving.
Options & Other Charges: $2,750 executive package; $1,095 Sebring black crystal effect; $2,250 driver assistance package; $6,350 carbon optic package; $1,000 RS sport exhaust; $8,500 carbon brakes with gray calipers; $4,900 Bang & Olufsen advanced sound system; $3,000 black Dinamica headliner; $2,500 night vision assistant; $1,250 dynamic ride control suspension; $465 base carrier bars; $50 first aid kit; $1,000 gas guzzler tax $1,095 destination charge.
Safety: Parking system plus with park assist; head-up display with sign recognition; intersection assist; adaptive cruise assist with traffic jam assist; Audi active lane assist; Audi side assist with pre sense rear; Audi pre sense city low speed collision assist
Things to know: The Audi RS 6 Avant is a supercar that happens to be a family wagon with space as it could be your single car solution.
Pros:
- Performance from a nearly 600 hp V-8 and high handling limits will impress
- Not many of these are built so you will join an exclusive club
- Spacious interior and station wagon body will give a crossover a run for the money
Cons:
- High price tag for the RS 6 Avant
- Most of the driver aids are optional extras
- All that power means the gas mileage suffers
