The Audi RS 5 does 20 mpg combined (17.4 city, 24.8 highway), which works out to about $1,920 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2.9L 6-cyl does 20.9 mpg while 4.2L 8-cyl does 18 — a difference of $296 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Audi RS 5 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Audi RS 5 ranges from 20.9 down to 18 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $296 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9L 6-cyl | 18 / 25.6 | 2018–2025 | $1,837 | |
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 16 / 23 | 2013–2015 | $2,133 |
What that actually costs
The Audi RS 5 burns a gallon every 20 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 600 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.160 |
| Fuel per year | $1,920 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,600 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$10 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,865 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Audi RS 5 gives up 7.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 24.8 out there against 17.4 in town, a 43% drop worth $659 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 17.4 mpg | $2,207 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.8 mpg | $1,548 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.4 mpg (43%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the RS 5 changed over the years
The RS 5 peaked in 2024 at 21 mpg (18 city, 25 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2015 at 18 — 3 mpg apart, or $304 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2025 car does 20. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2024 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2023 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2022 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2021 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2019 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2018 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2015 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2014 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2013 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 10 EPA ratings of the Audi RS 5 — 2 engines across 2013–2025. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,865. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Audi RS 5 get?
20 mpg combined on average — 17.4 in the city and 24.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2013–2025.
How much does a Audi RS 5 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,920 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,600 over five years, or 0.160 dollars a mile.
Which RS 5 engine is the most economical?
The 2.9L 6-cyl at 20.9 mpg, against 18 for the 4.2L 8-cyl — a difference of about $296 a year.
Is the RS 5 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world RS 5 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Audi RS 5 is $3,865 against the $1,920 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 21 and 18 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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