The Audi RS 5 does 20.0 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 19.8 mpg.
Every Audi RS 5 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.160 |
| Fuel per year | $1,920 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,600 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$19 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,865 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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
Combined figure by model year. 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
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Audi RS 5 get?
20.0 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 19.8 mpg, computed across 6170 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.