2021 Audi RS 6 Avant

The new entrant is offered at a base price of $109,000, which is best in terms of value for money, as it competes with the pricier and well-established rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Wagon and the Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo. 

The Audi RS 6 Avant is offered only in a single trim for this year. The standalone trim itself is well-equipped and priced perfectly. An RS Tribute edition would also be available, limited to 25 units, as a part of the 25thAnniversary of the first RS wagon. 

Audi offers many packages for the RS 6 Avant. It offers carbon and black optics package, grey, blue, and red ceramic brakes packages, a sport-exhaust with a black finishing package, and an executive package for aesthetics. 

You shall also get a driver-assistance package and extra options such as the Night Vision Assistance and the Bang & Olufsen 3D advanced sound system.

Which trim should you buy?

Being a standalone trim, the RS 6 Avant is the only choice you shall have with the vehicle. The trim is plentifully equipped with all the features one shall expect at this price point. However, you shall go for additions and packages at extra costs for better features.

The 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant is equipped with a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine that churns out 591 horses and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that powers all the wheels via the Audi’s Quattro AWD drivetrain. The athletic engine along with the Quattro AWD promises a stand-out driving pleasure, as the transmission is crisp and shifts smoother than one shall expect.

The vehicle sprints to 60 MPH swiftly in around 3.5 seconds and finishes the quarter-mile race within 11.5 seconds. The top speed has been electrically limited to 174 MPH. When equipped with the optional carbon-ceramic brakes, the top speed shall be raised to 190 MPH. The AWD is quick and the transmission makes faster and time shifts to give brisk acceleration to the wagon.

The RS 6 Avant is the slowest in the class. The Merc-AMG E 63 S Wagon is faster by a small margin, but the Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo is the fastest in the competition. The costliest among the three accelerates swiftly, however fails to maintain the momentum, which makes it stay back in the quarter-mile race. The E 63 S Wagon maintains constant acceleration, giving it the fastest quarter-mile figures followed by Porsche and then the RS 6 Avant.

How well does the 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant handle?

This flagship wagon from Audi runs smoothly over any terrain. It gets standard 21-inch wheels and optional 22-inch wheels, both taking the wagon comfortably through bumps and potholes. All credits run to the Audi’s Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers. The well-tuned chassis along with the suspension ensure good ride quality and insulate the cabin from the undulations on the roads.

Handling is precise and sleek with the RS 6 Avant’s electromechanical progressive steering system. The inputs are conveyed to all the wheels via the Dynamic all-wheel steering, which helps to corner, reducing turning radius, and stabilizing high-speed drives. As every Audi driver does, the Avant shall be taken with ease and confidence through any twist or turn.

Braking Performance

The 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant offers ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels. The front rotors measure 16.5-inches while the rear rotors measure 14.6-inches. With the standard brake equipment, the top speed is limited to 174 MPH. A more capable, carbon-ceramic, ventilated and cross-drilled disc brake setup is available that measures 17.3-inches at the front and 14.6-inches at the rear. This brake setup can increase the top speed to 190 MPH.

The RS6 Avant is hefty with 4,960 lbs of curb weight. The big brakes efficiently bring the wagon to a halt from 60 MPH, on a panic braking, within 109 feet. The braking equipment is assisted with 4-wheel ABS, ESC, Traction Control, and hill hold control, and some advanced features such as automatic emergency braking and Audi Pre-sense would reduce the chances of unfortunate incidents.

With the biggest brakes in the class, the Porsche Panamera gets the smallest braking distance, followed by the lighter Mer-AMG E 63 S Wagon. The heaviest RS 6 Avant is marginally behind the E 63 S Wagon in terms of braking distance.

EPA estimated fuel economy ratings of the RS 6 Avant are found to be 15 MPG in the city, 22 MPG on highways, and 17 MPG combined. The 19.3-gallon fuel tank with the low economy ratings brings in a significant decrease in the range figures, which means you should have to make frequent stops at the fuel station. The performance-tuned V8 is somewhat thirsty, but the figures are sufficient and satisfying as far as the class is concerned.

The Merc-AMG E 63 S Wagon is the best in the competition when it comes to fuel economy figures. It gets 1 MPG more in the city or on the highway than what the rivals offer. However, the Porsche Panamera, with its 23.7-gallon fuel tank gets the best-in-class range figures, making it more convenient for longer rides.

Like any other Audi, the RS 6 Avant gets the best interior layout with immense sophistication and tech-tweaks. Seating 5 people comfortably, the cabin is spacious and feature-loaded. The Valcona leather upholstery, either in black with contrast stitching or in Cognac Brown, takes the level of comfort to the top-notch. The 10-way power-adjustable RS Sport front seats are heated and ventilated. They also get power-lumbar adjustments. The cabin ergonomics are noteworthy, thanks to the minimalistic but modern design.

The occupants are seated comfortably within the cabin aided by four-zone automatic climate control, no matter what the weather outside is. The Audi virtual cockpit offers an impressive in-cabin experience to the driver and passengers. You get ambient LED lightings, which would enhance the vibe inside. One shall opt for the Multi-contour seat package, which features 18-way power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation facilities. The RS 6 Avant gets a cargo capacity of 30 cubic feet, which is decent but not the best.

The Audi RS 6 Avant and Merc-AMG E 63 S Wagon are too close in terms of interior space. Both have marginal differences but are plentifully roomy. The figures of Porsche Panamera aren’t currently available to compare. Coming to the cargo department, the AMG E 63 S Wagon is the biggest, followed by the RS 6 Avant. However, the cargo capacity of the Porsche Panamera is noticeably lower than the rivals.

Some of the standout interior features are as follows:

• 10-way power-adjustable RS Sport front seats
• Heated and Ventilated seats
• Valcona leather upholstery
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Ambient LED lights
• Heated steering wheel with steering-mounted controls
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Audi’s Virtual Cockpit gets you a lot of things to be engaged with. The dual central display itself makes the cabin look and feel premium. The 10.1-inch screen above, with the MMI touch response, shows an impressive experience and organized user interface. The 8.6-inch screen below lets you control other settings including the climate settings. You shall also find important controls mounted on the steering wheel as well. Many enthusiasts believe that the screen setup shall be quite distracting to the driver. However, it offers the most convenience and ease of use.

The entertainment front is fully equipped with all advanced and demanded features. Connectivity of all types is implemented, say Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth streaming, SiriusXM, Radio, Wi-Fi Hotspot, and everything else. The Audi Phone Box and Garage Open Link are also standard. 

The infotainment system is paired with a 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen 3D Premium sound system, which shall be upgraded to a 19-speaker Advanced sound system with the executive package. The Audi Connect feature is another notable feature that lets you schedule locations, access real-time weather data, and so on.

Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are as follows:

• Dual central display
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• SiriusXM
• Wi-Fi Hotspot
• 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen 3D Premium sound system
• Audi Connect

The 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant is stylish and aggressive and compliments the beautifully laid interiors. The big wheels, improved front fascia, and RS-specific grille catch every eye when on the road. The unique LED Matrix headlights and dynamic DRLs add fashion to the motion. It is longer from the side profile but handles easier than one might expect. The Singleframe grille definitely lets it stand unique.

As said, the RS 6 Avant is the heaviest in the competition. The overall body design is sleek. The carbon-fiber splitter and rear spoilers add to the detailing. The wagon is good-looking and competitive to the rivals. The elegant but intelligent German engineering is visible in every element.

The Porsche Panamera is the longest in the class followed by AMG E 63 S Wagon. However, RS 6 Avant is the widest and tallest in the competition. Merc-AMG gets the most ground clearance while Porsche gets the longest wheelbase.

Some of the standout exterior features include the following:

• 21-inch wheels
• RS-specific Singleframe front grille
• LED Matrix Headlights
• Dynamic DRLs
• Rear Spoilers

Built on the trusted platform from Audi, the RS 6 Avant is surely sturdy and robust with its structure. Audi has been known for reliability and safety, and this vehicle is not going to differ. The vehicle hasn’t been rated yet, but the brand has never disappointed anyone on the safety front. The engineers there have been putting efforts to keep safety uncompromised with competitive performance and comfort.

Equipped with a wide range of sensors and response systems, the vehicle is kept safe from any collisions. The system keeps track of your surroundings and warns about any upcoming collisions with the Audi Pre-Sense. Driver assistance features such as a blind-spot monitor and Adaptive Cruise Control make your drives peaceful and hassle-free.

Some of the notable safety features include the following:

• Blind-spot monitoring system
• Audi Pre-Sense: Front and Rear
• Audi side assist
• Top-view camera system
• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic emergency braking
• Hill hold assist

2021 Audi RS 6 Avant vs Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Wagon

The costlier rival for the Audi RS 6 Avant is the Merc-AMG E 63 S Wagon. E 63 S Wagon has been an established wagon in the class, with good records of sales. The Mer-AMG badge has given enough boost to the popularity, which is complemented with the top-notch performance figures and engineering. Offering the best-in-class interior and technology, Merc-AMG is surely worthy of the price, as the RS 6 Avant is to its price.

2021 Audi RS 6 Avant vs Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo

The Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo is the priciest in the competition but falls short in features. The unique and standout exterior design makes it attractive, but coming to space on offer, practicality, or technology can only be placed below the RS 6 Avant. The noticeably less cargo space and lowered roofline shall not be complemented by all buyers.

The 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant is one of the worthiest buys in the class. Offered at the lowest price in the competition, it would get you everything one shall expect. It is rich in features, promises athletic performance, a comfortable cabin, and uncompromised safety. The stylish and handsome exteriors complimented well by the modern and tech-packed interiors are an easy pick for you. 

Moreover, the standalone trim reduces confusion to the buyers and lets you upgrade to your favorite features with the available packages and options. The reliable German engineering would surely impress every buyer with the newly-entered Audi RS 6 Avant.