Audi RS 6 Avant review - Practicality, comfort and boot space

Building on the regular A6, the RS model has a great starting point from which to deliver on load space and passenger comfort. The RS 6 is more than likely going to be an every-day car, so it needs to offer practicality to go with its pace.

At almost five-metres long, it’s a sizeable vehicle and could prove awkward to manoeuvre, but all-wheel steering gives a surprisingly tight turning circle - very handy given the extended wheel arches adding 40mm to each side of the car. The 360-degree camera should assist when parking and moving around at low speed, although this is only available as standard on the Vorsprung model.

Size

The RS 6 is certainly a big, imposing car, at 4,995mm long, 1,487mm in height and 2,110mm wide. Although, it is shorter than its closest rivals, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S (5,000mm in length) and Porsche Panamera 4S Sport Turismo (5,049mm). The RS 6 sits between the two competitors in terms of width, at 2,110mm. The E63 S is 2,065mm wide, but the Panamera is a significant 2,165mm across. And while the Porsche has a low, sleek stance at 1,428mm high, the RS 6 offers a elevated, more practical roof line at 1,487mm. The Mercedes E63 S is 1,475mm in height.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

The RS 6 offers generous legroom in the rear despite those chunky sports seats, with its square roofline also providing good amounts of headroom. Those over six-foot shouldn’t have any issues settling in to the RS 6 for a pleasant, relaxing journey.

Boot

With a 565-litre boot, the Audi RS 6 trumps the Porsche Panamera 4S Sport Turismo (520 litres) for load carrying ability. With the rear seats folded, the advantage increases, with the Audi providing 1,680 litres and the Porsche just 1,390 litres. However, the Mercedes E63 S is clearly the more practical option, with a huge 640-litre boot and an extended capacity, with the rear seats down, of 1,820 litres.