Audi has introduced the RS5 Avant as the latest iteration of its high-performance estate car, marking the first time the model incorporates a plug-in hybrid powertrain. This update represents a significant shift from its predecessor, the RS4 Avant, blending enhanced efficiency with the brand’s characteristic sporty performance.

The new RS5 Avant retains the familiar 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 engine from the previous generation but has been revised and paired with a 174bhp electric motor. Together, this hybrid system delivers a combined output of 630bhp, enabling the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. Audi reports an electric-only driving range of up to 52 miles, while reducing CO2 emissions to 89 grams per kilometer. Fuel economy figures stand at 72.4 miles per gallon on paper, with real-world driving yielding around 35 mpg once the battery charge is depleted.

Visually, the RS5 Avant maintains Audi’s aggressive styling cues, including a wide, flared body and sporty accents, distinguishing it clearly from standard models. The Avant model offers greater cargo space compared to the RS5 Saloon, although the addition of the hybrid battery pack reduces boot capacity to 361 liters, down from 505 liters previously offered in the RS4 Avant. The lowered ride height and sloping roofline create some challenges for rear passenger access, but interior storage remains practical overall. The cabin blends luxury with sport, featuring durable materials and a range of modern technology, including a large central infotainment display and a separate passenger screen. Standard features include 20-inch alloy wheels and Audi’s Matrix LED headlights; however, a panoramic sunroof is reserved for the higher-spec £109,385 Performance Vorsprung model.

Driving dynamics reflect the complexity of the hybrid system. The vehicle can operate in electric-only mode for low-speed travel, while the combustion engine engages as needed. In standard mode, the car behaves with a balance of efficiency and performance, but a dedicated RS button shifts it into a sportier configuration, amplifying the engine noise—which is largely electronically enhanced—and engaging a more aggressive throttle response. Despite adding more than 500 kilograms compared to the previous RS4 Avant, the RS5 Avant remains agile and responsive through corners. However, the firmest suspension setting proved less suited to uneven road surfaces, causing a harsh ride on British roads.

Priced from £91,300, the RS5 Avant aims to appeal to drivers seeking a combination of everyday usability, modern hybrid efficiency, and high-end performance. While the emphasis on electrification has somewhat altered the driving character by diminishing the combustion engine’s dominance, Audi appears to have balanced these aspects successfully, delivering a vehicle that retains much of the dynamism expected from its RS lineage.