The Audi RS 5 is a compact car built from 2013 to 2025 over 2 generations. Between 2014 and 2025 it grew 8 cm longer and gained -120 kg. Engines offered: V6, V8. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the RS 5 is
The Audi RS 5 is a compact car that Audi built from 2013 to 2025 — 13 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2018. It has been offered with V6, V8 power. Its closest siblings in the Audi range: A5, S5, A3.
RS 5 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the RS 5's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the RS 5 that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-2015 | 464 cm | 275 cm | 1930 kg | - | - |
| 2018-2025 | 472 cm | 277 cm | 1810 kg | +8 cm | -120 kg |
Between 2014 and 2025 the RS 5 gained 8 cm in length (+1.7%) and -120 kg in weight (-6.2%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the RS 5 that is -120 kg against 8 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Audi RS 5 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment RS 5 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Audi RS 5 have? Power & range
The Audi RS 5 is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.9L 6-cyl, 4.2L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 2 for the Audi RS 5, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 2.9L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | AWD | Premium |
| V8 | 4.2L · 8-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | AWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The RS 5 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Audi RS 5. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | RS 5 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 4 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 2 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Insurance | $3,169/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 18 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Audi RS 5?
The RS 5 is a compact car, built from 2013 to 2025 across 2 generations. Engines offered: V6, V8.
How many generations does the RS 5 have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2018. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the RS 5 grew 8 cm longer and gained -120 kg.
What is the Audi RS 5 warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the RS 5 reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific RS 5?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
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