Turning on the headlights
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The Audi RS4 is one of the definitive fast estates - a direct descendent of arguably the first high-performance estate, the Porsche-tuned Audi RS2 of the 1990s, and a mainstay of the class for more than two decades and four model generations. It’s changed quite a lot over the years, but still pairs high performance with estate car practicality.
The current model has been around since 2018 and dropped its predecessor’s V8 engine for a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 - a retrograde step for some, but the latest cars are quicker than ever. Unsurprisingly, it remains a very popular car, so finding a used example isn’t difficult - read on to find out more.
Styling, the promise of secure all-wheel drive performance, and estate-car practicality are the qualities that will sell you on an Audi RS4. The regular Audi A4 Avant is already an appealing all-rounder, with a classy appearance, useful boot and the usual Audi standards of quality, so dropping in a powerful engine was always going to make for a desirable package.
At the sharp end you’ll find a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 making 450PS or more, depending on the variant. Exercising its performance takes restraint - really, this is a car built for the derestricted sections of Germany’s autobahns. But all-wheel drive means you can deploy its power even when the roads are streaming wet, and over the years Audi has really made the RS4 handle too - these days, it’s even quite involving to drive.
Meanwhile at the back there’s a 495-litre boot. That isn’t huge, but it’s still pretty useful, and of course accessible through a practical hatchback tailgate. The interior is spacious enough for four adults, and built to a high standard - it looks and feels expensive, you’re unlikely to hear creaks or groans, and the in-car tech works well too - plus, the current RS4 maintains tactile physical controls, so you don’t need to stab at the touchscreen to operate vital functions.
The RS4’s rivals have changed a little over the years. When it arrived in 2018 there was no BMW M3 Touring, but now there is, and it’s even more of a beast than the RS4. Conversely, the RS4 initially had to compete against a six-cylinder Mercedes-AMG C43 and V8-powered C63, both of which are fantastic cars in their own right, but we’d opt for the RS4 over either of the newer four-cylinder powered C43 and C63 models. For a more cultured option, there’s also the Alpina B3 Touring - think of it as a classier, less pumped-up take on the M3 Touring.
You’ll probably be happy - no, very happy - with any RS4, if you’re a fan of fast estate cars, and a model in standard trim will tick that box for the least outlay. However, some of the special editions are worth a look as they add options like an RS Sport exhaust system for a more vocal soundtrack, improved audio equipment so you’ve got something to listen to even at a cruise, or neat carbonfibre interior and exterior detailing to make the most of the RS4’s pumped-up looks. So we’d certainly not steer you away from models like the Carbon Edition or Vorsprung.
The Audi RS4’s exterior dimensions are:
The Audi RS4’s boot space is:
A list price of well over £40,000 means that the RS4 doesn’t just get a flat rate of VED, but a surcharge on top of that, taking your annual tax bill to £600. This applies for the five years following the first year of registration, and drops down to a lower rate after that (£190 as of the 2024/2025 tax year).
Depending on the RS4 you go for, insurance ranges from group 44 to the maximum group 50. Standard, unadorned models are at the bottom of that scale, with the equipment-packed Vorsprung rising to group 48, and the limited-run Competition in group 50.
£39,538
£38,099
£45,824
£96,500
£69,858
£46,378
£49,499
£84,980
£61,999
£61,800
£56,500
£47,500
£46,000
£56,750
£64,314
£59,750
£49,000
£57,000
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What is the most popular colour for Audi RS4 ?
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How many Audi RS4 cars are available for sale?
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