Audi RS 4 Avant review - Interior, design and technology

RS 4’s pumped-up exterior looks good, while cabin is as slick and solidly built as any Audi

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Interior, design and technology Rating

4.2 out of 5

Price
£71,060 to £89,255
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One thing that you're paying for when buying an Audi RS 4 Avant is a far more muscular look than the rest of the A4 Avant range. Line it up next to the understated S4 Avant (which could easily be confused with a top-spec S line diesel Avant), and the differences are clear, with the RS 4 getting 30mm wider wheelarches, lowered suspension, deeper bumpers with larger air intakes and plenty of gloss black and satin silver bodywork trim.

Overall, the RS 4 Avant has an aggressive look, but it's still on the subtle side of aggressive. That sensible estate car body means there's no space for big wings at the back, just a pair of large oval exhaust tips through either side of the diffuser set into the rear bumper.

You can make your RS 4 Avant more bold or subtle by choosing from a variety of colours. Nardo Grey is the standard colour option, but Misano Red metallic makes a bold statement, while Sonoma Green has been added to the palette, too. Both of these are around £650 extra, but for around £2,500 you can have the RS 4 in any Audi Exclusive colour you like, including Nogaro Blue, the colour of the original Audi RS2 Avant.

Inside, the standard A4’s high-quality interior is given an even sportier appearance. It’s a neat and clean design that's feature-packed and feels very upmarket. This includes red stitching, part-Alcantara trim and figure-hugging sports seats. It’s tasteful and not overdone.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Audi’s Virtual Cockpit comes as standard in the RS 4 Avant, and the digital instrument display is a great addition. It clearly shows sat-nav and any other info right in front of you, and it's easy to operate via the standard multifunction steering wheel. There’s a special RS mode that shows a prominent tachometer and other performance-related info, too.

Elsewhere, you get Audi's MMI control system, which adds a control wheel and shortcut buttons ahead of the gear selector that you use to navigate through the main 8.3-inch infotainment screen on top of the dash. It's an easy system to use, and you tend to use the stubby gearlever as a wrist rest when using the control wheel.

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    RS 4 TFSI Quattro 5dr S Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £68,590

Most Economical

  • Name
    RS 4 TFSI Quattro 5dr S Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £68,590

Fastest

  • Name
    RS 4 TFSI Quattro Competition 5dr S Tronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £82,465
Senior test editor

Dean has been part of the Auto Express team for more than 20 years, and has worked across nearly all departments, starting on magazine production, then moving to road tests and reviews. He's our resident van expert, but covers everything from scooters and motorbikes to supercars and consumer products.

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