Audi RS 4 Avant review - Interior, design and technology

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.

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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.