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Audi RS 5 Sportback
The 2026 Audi RS5 debuts as a plug-in hybrid, a seismic shift for Ingolstadt's performance coupe, with a 630-hp V6 that Autonews-Mag calls the most powerful RS5 ever, rocketing to 0-60 mph in a projected 3.0 seconds. Top Gear Philippines says it's Audi Sport's first foray into plug-in hybrids and the most complex car the RS division has ever made, according to chief technical officer Steffen Bamberger, introducing a world-first combination of a Torsen center differential with Dynamic Torque Vectoring on the rear axle alongside Audi's signature quattro all-wheel drive. RevvedUpCars says the RS5 PHEV doesn't replace the fun, it amplifies it, then lets you sneak home late at night in EV silence.
A seismic shift to plug-in hybrid
Autonews-Mag (opens in a new tab) says the 2026 Audi RS5 debuts as a plug-in hybrid, signaling a new era for Ingolstadt's performance coupe and a seismic shift for Audi's RS division, rocketing from standstill to 0-60 mph in a projected 3.0 seconds.
A world-first drivetrain
Top Gear Philippines (opens in a new tab) says the 2026 RS5 is Audi Sport's first foray into plug-in hybrids and the most complex car the company's RS division has ever made, according to chief technical officer Steffen Bamberger, combining a Torsen center differential with what Audi calls Dynamic Torque Vectoring on the rear axle, a world first, on top of Audi's signature quattro all-wheel drive.
How it drives
RevvedUpCars (opens in a new tab) says the RS5 PHEV doesn't just survive electrification, it weaponizes it, delivering torque like a sledgehammer while keeping the V6 soundtrack alive, and doesn't replace the fun of the outgoing car, it amplifies it, then lets you sneak home late at night in EV silence.
Questions buyers ask
How much horsepower does the 2026 Audi RS5 have?
Autonews-Mag (opens in a new tab) says 630 hp, the most powerful RS5 ever.
Is the new Audi RS5 a hybrid?
Yes — Top Gear Philippines (opens in a new tab) says it's Audi Sport's first plug-in hybrid.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback is built around 2.9L twin-turbo V6, rated at 444 horsepower across its midsize performance liftback sedan body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2025 U.S. lineup has 1 trim.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2025 RS 5 Sportback seats 5 and is a Midsize performance liftback sedan.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2025 RS 5 Sportback.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback
The RS 5 Sportback shares its 444-horsepower twin-turbo V6, 8-speed automatic and standard quattro AWD across a single-trim lineup, sold only in the four-door Sportback body.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
1 indexed Audi RS 5 Sportback model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Audi RS 5 Sportback.
The Audi RS 5 Sportback is built alongside the Audi A5, and public records cover the two together. Generation history, the fact box and background are on the Audi A5 page; the safety record for the Audi RS 5 Sportback itself follows.
Year by year
The Audi RS 5 Sportback across 3 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback | 20 | $4,000 | 1 |
| 2018 Audi RS 5 | 21 | $3,700 | 1 |
| 2015 Audi RS 5 | 18 | $4,300 | 2 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Audi RS 5 Sportback, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 to 2025 | 21.0 to 20.0 | Labels: RS 5 Sportback; Transmissions: Automatic (S8); Size classes: Midsize Cars | Labels: RS 5; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S8); Size classes: Subcompact Cars | |
| 2015 to 2018 | 2 to 1 | 18.0 to 21.0 | Engines: 2.9L 6-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S8) | Labels: RS 5 Cabriolet; Engines: 4.2L 8-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S7) |
Trim by trim
Every 2018 Audi RS 5 Sportback trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base | AWD | 2.9-liter V6 (Twin Turbo) | 444 | 443 | 3,990 | – | 21 | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2018 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Compared with
Models this Audi RS 5 Sportback is most often compared with.
Nearest Audi models
Other Audi models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2025 RS 5 Sportback come in?
The 2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback (midsize performance liftback sedan) is offered in one trim, TFSI quattro.
Q02What are the 2025 RS 5 Sportback trims?
The 2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback comes in one trim, TFSI quattro.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2025 RS 5 Sportback use?
The 2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback is built around 2.9L twin-turbo V6, rated at 444 horsepower across its midsize performance liftback sedan body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2025 RS 5 Sportback have?
The 2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback is rated at 444 horsepower (2.9L twin-turbo V6).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2025 RS 5 Sportback?
The 2025 Audi RS 5 Sportback is offered with Standard AWD (quattro).