The 2023 Audi RS7 is Audi’s weapons-grade high-performance sedan. It sits at the very top of Audi’s RS range, next to cars like the RS 6 wagon and the RS e-tron GT, and it’s one of our favorite supersedans on the market right now.
It does a little bit of everything, providing thrills when you want them or solace and comfort when you don’t. Wrap all of that in some seriously attractive bodywork and you get a supersedan that’s hard to ignore.
For 2023, the RS 7 will continue on as it has since its introduction in 2020. Take it from us, that’s no bad thing. The RS 7 comes with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 under the hood and makes 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque.
Audi doesn’t make any significant changes to the 2023 Audi RS7, but remote park assist plus and a black Dinamica headliner are now included in the optional Executive package.
ENGINE AND IMPLEMENTATION
Power comes from a brilliant twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that pairs with a 48-volt hybrid system, eight-speed automatic transmission, and Quattro all-wheel drive. All this tech makes the 2023 Audi RS7 heavier than the last generation model, which made as much as 605 horsepower.
Still, with 591 horses and 590 pound-feet of torque, the 2023 Audi RS7 we tested rocketed to 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds. Want a slightly stronger dose of “holy s**t” acceleration? Try the 617-hp BMW M5 Competition; it reaches 60 mph in 2.8 ticks.
The 2023 Audi RS7 rides on an air suspension with adaptive settings for varying levels of stiffness. However, it felt refined regardless of the drive mode, even rolling on our tester’s 22-inch rims (21s are standard).
It’s also rewarding to bend into corners thanks to the poised chassis and the added agility of its standard rear-wheel-steering system. Crazy quick and unerringly comfortable are accurate descriptors of its driving personality.
Despite not opting for the carbon-ceramic brakes, which allow its top speed to be increased from 155 to 190 mph, the standard stoppers hauled our nearly 5000-pound four-door down from 70 mph in an impressive 151 feet.
ENERGY AND REAL-WORLD MPG
The powerful, albeit thirsty, 2023 Audi RS7 is rated 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway by the EPA. We ran it on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and it returned 23 mpg in the real world. For more information about the 2023 Audi RS7’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
INTERIOR, CONVENIENCE, AND BOOTH
While the RS model shares an interior design and passenger space with the regular A7, it also has some exclusive details and intriguing options. Of course, the sturdy build quality and upscale materials are immediately recognizable.
Still, the 2023 Audi RS7‘s cabin is adorned with trim-specific logos and other unique accents. The standard front sports seats have nice leather upholstery but can be reskinned with upgraded leather and ventilated cushions.
Its back seat can fit two or three people, depending on the chosen seat configuration, and its cargo area offers 19 cubic feet of space with the rear seats in use and 49 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
IN-VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT AND INTERCONNECTIONS
Every 2023 Audi RS7 is equipped with a snazzy infotainment system that operates via two touchscreens that seamlessly blend into the upper dashboard and flowing center console.
Unfortunately, the climate controls and other settings that must be manipulated through the lower screen can pull the driver’s eyes off of the road. To avoid this distraction, Audi’s voice-recognition software comes in handy.
Along with the robust navigation system that appears on the upper screen, and that can be expanded in the fully digital gauge cluster, the 2023 Audi RS7 comes with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging, and a subscription-based Wi-Fi hotspot. The top option is a pricey Bang & Olufsen stereo that pumps 1820 watts through 19 speakers.
PROTECTION AND DRIVER-ASSISTANCE ASPECTS
Apart from some basic active safety tech, Audi offers a suite of more advanced equipment as part of the Driver Assistance package. There’s also a standalone option for night vision that provides large animal-and-pedestrian detection.
For more information about the 2023 Audi RS7’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATIONS
2021 Audi RS7 Sportback
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$125,140 (base price: $115,045)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
244 in3, 3996 cm3
Power
591 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque
590 lb-ft @ 2050 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 16.5-in vented, cross-drilled disc/14.6-in vented, cross-drilled disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4, 285/30R-22 (101Y) AO
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 115.3 in
Length: 197.2 in
Width: 76.8 in
Height: 56.1 in
Passenger volume: 95 ft3
Cargo volume: 25 ft3
Curb weight: 4947 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.0 sec
100 mph: 7.6 sec
130 mph: 12.9 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.2 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.0 sec
1/4 mile: 11.3 sec @ 122 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 151 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 302 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.95 g
Standing-start accel times omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 14 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 23 mpg
Highway range: 440 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 17/15/22 mpg
