Audi RS6 Avant vs Mercedes E63 AMG: 2013 twin test

High-performance estates are nothing new, but the latest crop are the most extreme ever. With their supercar-rivalling muscle and family-friendly practicality, these versatile cars are as at home on the school run as they are on the Santa Pod drag strip.

Leading the charge of new models is the Audi RS6 Avant, which features a thumping twin-turbo V8, four-wheel drive and, as with the standard A6, a roomy, upmarket cabin. And while the new 4.0-litre engine is smaller and slightly less powerful than the V10 used in the old car, the latest RS6 promises to be the fastest and most efficient version ever.

Lining up against the rapid Avant is the new Mercedes E63 AMG estate. As with the other models in the E-Class range, the AMG has recently benefited from a facelift, which extends to revised looks and a subtly upgraded cabin. Elsewhere the car is largely unchanged, which means you get a muscular twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8, traditional rear-wheel-drive handling and one of the biggest boots in the business.

Verdict

Both of our contenders here deliver the same blend of family-friendly practicality and supercar-humbling performance. But which is better?

Well, the Audi claims the honours for outright pace. Its remarkable twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 is explosive, while its quattro all-wheel-drive transmission allows you to access the car’s full potential in all weathers. The pumped-up RS6 also looks great, and the cabin serves up a masterclass in style and build quality.

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Yet there’s something missing... Yes, the RS6 is eye-poppingly fast, but it lacks the involvement we expect from the best high-performance machines. The major controls are a little numb and the engine note is muffled.

By contrast, the Mercedes starts delivering thrills the moment you turn the key. It’s not as eye-catching as its competitor here and its interior looks dated, but the E63’s bellowing V8 and engaging rear-wheel-drive handling make it huge fun to drive.

The AMG is hardly a one-trick pony. Its vast boot and roomy cabin make it the more versatile of our duo, plus it undercuts the Audi by around £1,500. And those with deep pockets can upgrade to the S that matches the RS6 if they want scorching straight-line pace.

If you’re after a fast and fun estate to carry a family of five, look no further than the E63 AMG.

First place: Mercedes E63 AMG

If you value driving thrills above all else, the E63 takes some beating. With its thundering V8 and sharp handling, the AMG makes every journey an adventure. Yet it’s the depth of the Mercedes’ talent that seals its victory, because it backs up the exhilarating dynamics with class-leading practicality, excellent refinement and a lower price tag.

Mercedes’ E63 AMG has ruled the fast estate sector since its debut more than two years ago, but it has its work cut out against the RS6. In an effort to maintain its grip on the top spot, the company has treated its practical flagship to a mid-life refresh.

The most obvious change is at the front, where there’s a pair of sleek, swept-back headlamps and a heavily revised bumper. Elsewhere you’ll spot the revised tail-lamps and subtly reprofiled flanks. And while the E63 doesn’t look as muscular and aggressive as the RS6, neat additions include multi-spoke 19-inch alloys and quad-exit exhausts.

The Mercedes must give best to the Audi when it comes to cabin design, though. There’s nothing wrong with the build quality, upmarket materials and logical layout, but the upright dash looks dated and too much of the switchgear is shared with cheaper models. You also don’t sit as low in the AMG – but you get a commanding view of the road and the heavily bolstered sports seats are supportive.

As with the RS6 there are a number of racy touches, such as a stubby AMG gearlever, tactile metal shift paddles on the steering wheel and a V8 BiTurbo logo on the rev counter. Another reminder of the AMG’s range-topping status is a generous equipment tally that includes sat-nav, climate control, heated seats and panoramic glass roof.

Not only is the E63 better equipped than its rival, it’s more practical. While there’s little to separate the two for passenger space, the Mercedes’ 695-litre boot is a huge 130 litres larger than the Audi’s. And with the rear bench folded flat, there’s a generous 1,950 litres. Numerous hooks, cubbies and cup-holders help make the AMG the more family-friendly choice. Yet while the Merc wins on space, it bows to the Audi when it comes to pace.

In the wet, the rear-wheel-drive E63 was eight-tenths slower from 0-60mph, while its seven-speed box isn’t as quick to respond and its longer ratios blunt acceleration. Yet in the real world, the differences are hard to detect. With 720Nm of torque at a mere 1,750rpm, the E63 blasts past slower traffic in the blink of an eye. It’s the soundtrack that really grabs your attention, though. From a burbling V8 idle through to a NASCAR bellow at high revs, it never fails to raise a smile.

And you’re likely to continue grinning as you guide the Merc through a series of corners. The steering is direct, naturally weighted and delivers a more positive turn-in than the Audi’s. As you’d expect, there’s not as much grip or traction as in the RS6, but the engaging AMG’s line through a bend can be subtly altered using a blend of steering and throttle. You can also tune the three-stage adaptive dampers to suit the road conditions and your mood. In their softest setting they deliver a remarkably supple ride, which – combined with the well insulated cabin – helps make the Mercedes an effortless cruiser.

So the Mercedes is more fun, more practical and, at £75,535, not as expensive as the Audi. On that basis, it’s a strong contender for victory.

Second place: Audi RS6 Avant 

Few cars at any price can match the four-wheel-drive Audi’s all-weather performance, plus the muscular cosmetic upgrades help it stand out. Further highlights include the first-rate cabin and high kit count. Yet it’s hobbled by the smaller boot here and a higher price, and while it’s blistering in a straight line, the rest of the driving experience isn’t as thrilling as the Merc’s.

Few companies can match Audi’s fast estate car tradition. Ever since the brand pulled the wraps off its Porsche-tuned RS2 in 1994, it has been leading the way with its lightning-quick load-luggers – and the latest RS6 is no exception.

Now in its third generation, the A6-based model actually has a much smaller engine than its predecessor, with the old 572bhp 5.0-litre V10 replaced by a 552bhp 4.0 V8. Yet despite the decrease in capacity and power, Audi claims the new RS6 is faster than ever.

The Audi’s styling certainly leaves passers-by in no doubt of its performance potential. With its bulging wheelarch extensions, large twin-exit exhausts and rear aerodynamic diffuser, the RS6 looks every inch a high-performance hero.

Our test car also featured the eye-wateringly expensive £4,250 Carbon styling pack that adds a revised front grille emblazoned with a garish quattro logo. Other head-turning additions include our car’s £1,900 21-inch alloys, which replace the standard 20-inch rims.

The racy theme continues inside, with heavily bolstered, high-backed front seats, a thick-rimmed, flat-bottomed steering wheel and a smattering of RS6 logos. Elsewhere, the cabin is standard A6, which means slick design and first-rate fit and finish. There are plenty of soft-touch materials, the dashboard is attractively styled and intuitively laid-out, and the low-slung driving position feels sportier than the high-set Mercedes’.

You also get plenty of standard kit, including sat-nav, leather trim, a powerful Bose stereo and four-zone climate control. There’s no shortage of space, with rear occupants getting plenty of room to lounge around – although the transmission tunnel gets in the way for passengers sitting in the middle seat. A deep glovebox, large door bins and an array of useful cubbies boost the Audi’s family-friendly feel.

In isolation the RS6’s 565-litre boot looks roomy, but it trails the Mercedes’ spacious luggage area by a significant 130 litres. Folding the Audi’s rear bench flat liberates a healthy 1,680 litres – although this is still 265 litres shy of the E63’s. However, there is the option of a useful £160 load-securing system, plus a standard-fit powered tailgate and a handy netted storage bin. Yet while the Audi is knocked for six when it comes to practicality, it strikes back at the track. Not only does the RS6 boast more power than the E63, it also benefits from four-wheel-drive traction and a launch-control system.

In wet conditions, our Avant blasted from 0-60mph in a mere 3.7 seconds, which was eight-tenths faster than the Mercedes. The Audi’s in-gear performance is equally impressive, and above 4,000rpm the RS6 accelerates even more ferociously than the AMG. Adding to the drama is the seven-speed twin-clutch transmission, which provides rapid-fire shifts via the steering wheel-mounted paddles, plus it delivers a crisp throttle blip on downchanges.

The RS6’s V8 may serve up blistering performance, but it sounds curiously muted alongside the vocal Mercedes. There’s no menacing burble at idle, while at high revs the 4.0-litre unit is muffled. A raucous sports exhaust delivers a more imposing soundtrack, yet it’s a £1,000 option. The Avant also feels a little subdued through a series of corners. There’s no shortage of grip and the upgraded air-suspension system provides rock-solid body control, but there’s not much feedback through the major controls.

Choosing the Drive Select system’s sportiest mode sharpens the throttle and helps reduce understeer by engaging a more aggressive setting on the electronically controlled Sports rear diff, but it also adds too much weighting to the steering. Make no mistake, the four-wheel-drive Audi is devastatingly quick on twisting roads, particularly in the wet, but it’s not as agile or engaging as the Mercedes.

Still, what the Audi lacks in driver involvement it makes up for with top-notch refinement. There’s virtually no wind noise on the motorway and in its comfort setting the air springs soak up bumps well – only deep potholes really ruffle the RS6.

At £76,985 the Avant is £1,450 more than the Mercedes, while it returned a thirsty 17.8mpg at the pumps. On the plus side, it has slightly stronger residuals than its rival. Neither of these rapid estates will be cheap to run, though. The question is whether the blisteringly quick Audi’s numb driving experience and smaller boot will hold it back in this encounter.

Facts and figures