Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi RS5 Cabriolet

Is the Audi RS5 Cabrio worthy of the esteemed RS badge? We headed to Southern France to find out

Overall Auto Express rating

3.0

How we review cars
Find your Audi RS5
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The RS5 Cabriolet looks great, is seriously rapid and handles well. Unfortunately, an extra 205kg means it’s not as agile as the £10,000 cheaper RS5 Coupe. And if you really must have a fast four-seater Audi convertible, save £23,000 and get the S5, as it’s almost as quick. Plus, while the RS5 Cabriolet may be a good car, it’s not a great RS car.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Over the next year, Audi will release four new RS models. The first to arrive is the RS5 Cabriolet, and Audi claims the drop-top is the most emotive way to experience its high-revving 4.2-litre V8 engine. But is it really? To find out, we took one for a test drive up the demanding Col de Vence pass in the south of France.

As with the normal A5 Cabriolet, the RS5’s roof can be retracted at up to 31mph in under 20 seconds. And like the humbler models, when stowed the roof only takes up 60 litres of the 380-litres boot. But the range-topper is distinguished by its 19-inch 10-spoke alloys, RS bodykit and oval tail pipes.

Under the more muscular skin lies Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system. It can send 70 per cent of the engine’s power to the front wheels, or 85 per cent to the rear. It also gets a rear sport differential to vary the torque sent to each back wheel. The result is excellent traction out of corners, allowing you to make the most of the smooth, potent V8.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

X6

2018 BMW

X6

49,382 milesAutomaticPetrol4.4L

Cash £24,399
View X6
A4 Avant

2025 Audi

A4 Avant

35,470 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £23,299
View A4 Avant
XC40

2020 Volvo

XC40

55,835 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £21,999
View XC40
EQA

2023 Mercedes

EQA

35,890 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £21,199
View EQA

The RS5 Cabriolet also features Audi’s Drive Select. This lets the driver shuffle throttle response, steering weight and shift speeds of the dual-clutch gearbox between three different modes: Comfort, Automatic and Dynamic.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Go for the optional sports suspension with Dynamic Ride Control fitted to our test car, and you can also change the stiffness of the dampers. In Comfort, the ride is just compliant enough to take the sting out of bumps, but it’s too floaty over undulations at high speeds. So if it’s serious driving you’ve in mind, the jarring Dynamic mode must be endured.

The adjustable suspension is part of a Sport option pack. It’s good value by Audi standards, because for £2,250 it includes 20-inch alloys, a sports exhaust and variable-ratio steering, which complements the impressive electrically assisted set-up. The only issue with the steering is that the whole column shakes a bit in your hands over bumps.

Audi has tried to minimise the effects of body flex by fitting extra chassis bracing, but that brings extra weight. The RS5 Cabriolet tips the scales at 1,920kg, making it 205kg heavier than the Coupe. And, boy, do you feel the extra bulk on the tight twisty roads of the Col de Vence, because under heavy braking and rapid changes of direction the extra inertia means the RS5 Cabriolet is less planted than the lighter Coupe.

Admittedly, being able to drive with the wind in your hair is some compensation. But oddly enough, although the V8 is a little louder with the roof down, you can actually hear it better with the top up, because the acoustic hood filters out other road noise. So is the RS5 Cabriolet the most emotive way to experience Audi’s 4.2 V8? No, that’s still the R8.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,919 off RRP*Used from £14,800
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,364 off RRP*Used from £8,595
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,450 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,271 off RRP*Used from £11,595
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025
Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy
Marcos, interior

Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy

Development is already underway on the first all-new Marcos cars in roughly 20 years
News
27 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025