23 Audi RS4 cars for sale

Used Audi RS4 for sale: everything you need to know

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.

Should you buy an Audi RS4?

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.

What’s the best used Audi RS4 model to buy?

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.