2022 Audi RS6 Avant

The high-performance station wagon is an endangered species, and the Audi RS6 Avant is one of the most intriguing specimens around. After being introduced last year as an all-new model, the RS6 Avant has quickly skyrocketed to the top ten list of dream cars for motor journalists across the globe. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, this family-friendly wagon can force its hefty body from 0-60 mph in only 3.5 seconds, all while cradling its occupants in premium luxury. It's not alone in the segment with both the Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon and the Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo providing alternate wagon-shaped thrills for the whole family. But with Audi's long history of super-wagons on its side and Darth Vader styling, it could be the most alluring of the lot.

This is one of the sexiest cars on the market, in our opinion. Audi knows how to style its RS sports cars, and the RS6 Avant is one of the best-looking fast Audi vehicles by far. It's long, wide, and low and has the most badass stance straight from the factory. At the front, the RS6 Avant features HD Matrix-design headlights with Audi laser light technology and an RS-specific bumper. The rear-end features an RS roof spoiler and an RS dual exhaust system with chrome tips, and the whole package is completed with a set of 21-inch 10-V-spoke star design silver wheels wrapped in performance tires. With the available Black Optic package, the RS6 gets black roof rails, black wheels, black exterior mirror housings, and more black trim on other parts of the body such as the bumper inserts. The Carbon Optic package also has black roof rails but instead of black mirror housings, they're finished in carbon, as are the carbon optic bumper inserts and door blades.

The RS6 Avant has impressive dimensions conducive to interior space. This executive Avant measures 196.7 inches in length, is 83.5 inches wide when you include the wing mirrors, and is 58.6 inches tall. This German bomber rides on a 115.3-inch wheelbase and has a front and rear track of 65.7/65 inches, respectively. With all that junk in the trunk, the RS6 Avant tips the scale at around 5,000 pounds - last year's model weighed in at 4,960 lbs, and while official figures aren't available for the latest model, we'd wager it'll be more or less the same.

This mean-looking wagon is offered with eight different exterior paint options starting with no-cost options such as Nardo Gray and Ultra Blue Metallic. For an additional $595, you can coat the RS6 Avant in Florett Silver, Glacier White, Mythos Black, Tango Red, or Daytona Gray Pearl. Sebring Black Crystal goes for a more expensive $1,075. Audi also offers exclusive paint colors for the RS6 Avant at $3,900 for those who want to truly stand out. If we were buying, we'd stick with the stealth bomber look of Nardo Gray.

Station wagons are generally built with one thing in mind: practicality. These extended versions of normal sedans combine the comfort and dynamic abilities of a normal sedan with the practicality of an SUV, making it the perfect car for almost any occasion. But some station wagons are created to go beyond mere practicality - they're built to go fast. The Audi RS6 Avant station wagon is one of the fastest and most badass performance wagons ever built, and it doesn't pretend to hide that fact. With 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque available from a raging twin-turbo V8, the 2022 Audi RS6 Avant will bolt to 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds (independent testing has shown times as low as 3.1 seconds) and on to a top speed of 190 mph in the right configuration. That puts this heavy German wagon in the same performance league as the 2005 Mercedes SLR McLaren and Ferrari F50. Mercedes no longer sells the E63 Wagon for the 2022 model year, but if you can get hold of an almost-new one, it'll blitz the 0-60 run in 3.4 seconds, just ahead of the Audi's claimed figure. The way the RS6 Avant delivers its power is astonishing and ruthlessly efficient. There are very few mainstream cars that will keep up with it on public roads.

Under the sleek hood of the 2022 Audi RS6 Avant sleeps an absolute beast of an engine. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque and features Audi's valve lift system and variable timing for all 32 of its valves. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system, and a sport rear differential. This setup delivers breathtaking acceleration that continues into brutal midrange pull, and the power only tapers off well after 6,000 pm. How Audi has managed to make this heavyweight wagon launch so hard and deliver such potent performance is sheer brilliance. With tons of torque available everywhere in the rev range, and a slick-shifting auto on hand, the RS6 Avant is a dream to drive in the city, where it can take gaps and skip through traffic like a much smaller car. On the highway, this thing bombs like few others can. Even class-leading GT cars don't drive this well on the open road.

Cars of this size aren't supposed to drive this well, but Audi has managed to get the 2022 RS6 Avant to turn on a dime. The RS6 Avant uses tuned adaptive air suspension that delivers both comfort and performance. On twisty roads, the RS6 Avant squats down and grips the road for dear life. When pushed too hard, the RS6 will predictably understeer. Despite the Audi RS6 Avant's weight, turn-in is still sharp. The overall driving experience can be changed by selecting different models on the select drive button, and the all-wheel steering is noticeable when turning in tight spots. With its long wheelbase, and full comfort mode in play, the RS6 Avant is an adept cruising machine with a hard edge, and overall daily comfort is up there with the best in Germany. Optional extras such as Dynamic Ride Control and carbon-ceramic brakes turn this thing into an even more capable street warrior, but even in stock configuration, the RS6 Avant manages to dazzle in most categories.

The RS6 Avant is a large and heavy land yacht with a big V8 engine under the hood, which is the exact opposite of what you'd look for in a fuel-efficient car, but those who buy cars like these don't even look at the fuel bill. According to the EPA, the 2022 Audi RS6 Avant will manage a not-so-great 15/22/17 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycle. It's not great, but the rest of the car is. With a 19.3-gallon fuel tank, maximum range is around 330 miles to a tank of fuel.

Audi loves a clean and modern interior, and the RS6 Avant is a poster child. The cabin of the super wagon is as close as most will get to featuring in an episode of Black Mirror. There are enough displays to keep two drivers informed of all the car's vitals, let alone one, and the choice of materials and the fit and finish are excellent. Audi has also made it sporty enough to let occupants know that they're sitting in something that's meant to go fast while still being comfortable to function as a family hauler. Four-zone climate control and wireless phone charging are just a few of the advanced features you can expect to find inside the RS6 Avant, and there's plenty more you can add if you have the bucks.

The long body of the RS6 Avant will swallow five adults and their stuff, and its generous wheelbase of 115.3 inches allows for loads of passenger legroom, both in the front and rear. Those lucky enough to sit in the front get power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation. The seats feature heavy side bolstering to keep limbs from flailing about when the RS6 is in full swing. Visibility is good in every direction, but the larger size of the Avant will have to be kept in mind when navigating tight spaces. Backseat passengers get a roomy 37.4 inches of legroom, which should be plentiful, even for taller passengers. Getting in and out of the cabin is painless, even for six-footers.

There is no doubt that the 2022 Audi RS6 Avant is a luxury car through and through, and the choice of interior materials reflects that. Every surface has a quality feel about it, and new buyers can select between four material and color combos. The standard black leather with red stitching is paired with a black dashboard, carpets, and headliner. Audi also offers Black leather upholstery with Rock Gray stitching and all-black-everything else. If you want something more straightforward, there's an all-black color scheme too. Lastly, there is Cognac Brown leather with Granite Gray stitching and an all-black headliner, dashboard, and carpets.

Seductive Carbon Twill structure inlays also adorn the cabin. The optional RS Design package adds black seatbelts with a red border, RS floor mats, and adds more leather to the dash, armrest, and center console. Valcona/Milano leather can be added by means of the Individual Contour Seat package.

The entire point of building a station wagon like the Audi RS6 is to provide more cargo space than the average sedan (and in this case, to make it as fast as some supercars), and the RS6 Avant delivers in that aspect. Behind the second row, you get 30 cubic feet of space. That's enough space to comfortably transport the family Labradoodle and a few bags of groceries. Drop the 40/20/40 splitting rear seats, and that space increases to just under 60 cubes, although official figures for this have yet to be released. The outgoing Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon offers a superior 64 cubic feet. Inside, the RS6 Avant offers four cup holders, door pockets, a glovebox, and a center console nook.

This station wagon isn't just a practical rocketship, but it's also technologically advanced and offers tons of standard equipment and tech. Each 2022 Audi RS6 Avant comes standard with a power tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, illuminated aluminum front door sills with RS badging, four-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, ambient LED interior lighting, wireless phone charging, a flat-bottom heated three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, and heated and ventilated leather front seats with power adjustability.

Standard driver assistance features include cruise control, a surround-view camera system, lane departure warning, Audi pre sense front, pre sense basic, and Audi connect Care assistance and security services. The Audi virtual cockpit plus setup is also standard.

Audi's MMI infotainment system runs things in the RS6 Avant and is connected to a 10.1-inch touchscreen display that also features MMI navigation plus with Audi connect, SiriusXM with a 90-day all-access trial subscription, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Bluetooth streaming, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless charging, and HD Radio are also standard.

Sound is channeled through a 705-watt 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium sound system and sounds particularly good when blasting Gucci Gucci by Kreayshawn. Audi also offers an optional Bang and Olufsen 3D advanced sound system with 19 speakers for $4,900. The MMI system works well enough, but the lack of physical buttons can be a little irksome.

When it comes to reliability, the 2022 RS6 was recalled once for a faulty rearview camera. However, 2021 models were plagued by various recalls as part of the A6 wagon lineup. Problems listed include a rear axle that may be misaligned, a seatbelt locking retractor malfunction, rear axle lock nuts that may break, an incorrectly deploying airbag, and a faulty side-impact crash sensor in the front doors.

Audi will cover the RS6 Avant with a four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty.

There is no official NHTSA or IIHS review for the 2022 Audi RS6 Avant because neither of these safety rating agencies tends to crash performance cars with price tags of over $100,000. The RS6 Avant's sibling, the Audi A6, has been tested, however, and can be considered one of the safest cars on the road: the NHTSA gave it a full five out of five stars for overall safety, and the IIHS awarded it with seven top scores of Good. It was also given a Top Safety Pick+ award in 2021.

The RS6 Avant comes packed with all the latest safety features. The exterior features HD Matrix headlights with auto high beams and rain-sensing window wipers. ABS, traction and stability control, and ten airbags, including front knee airbags, are also standard.

Driver assistance tech includes Audi pre sense forward collision preparation, forward collision alert with autonomous emergency braking, a surround-view camera system, pre sense basic, cruise control, and lane departure warning. This suite can be bolstered by adding some of the packages from the options list. A head-up display is available, but bundled together with soft-closing doors and heated rear seats, and Audi side assist will add rear cross-traffic alert and pre sense rear. The Driver Assistance package adds features such as adaptive cruise control with lane guidance, intersection assist, and traffic sign recognition. Lastly, night vision assist can also be added for $2,500 and features a thermal display with animal and pedestrian detection.

As a family station wagon, the 2022 Audi RS6 Avant isn't perfect. Some competitors offer more cargo space, and that twin-turbo V8 engine will suck down more gas than any Middle Eastern country could ever supply, but that's not really what this car is about. The RS6 Avant is perfect in every other way. It's a modern oddity that hides supercar performance behind a body shape that is considered extinct in most books. The exterior is aggressive enough to let people know that there's something serious about this car, and the interior is flush with luxury features and premium materials. Yes, it's expensive, and there might be more dynamically capable vehicles at this price point, but there is pretty much nothing as cool as this out there at the moment.

You're going to have to dish out some serious cash to get behind the wheel of the RS6 Avant. The 2022 Audi RS6 Avant has a price tag of $116,500 MSRP excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,095. The more practical 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon started at a few thousand less when it was on sale. A fully loaded RS6 Avant equipped with all the driver assists and available luxuries can surpass $140k quite quickly, which is nearing R8 Coupe pricing.

There is only one model on offer, which makes the decision to buy an RS6 Avant that much easier. The RS6 Avant comes equipped with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via Audi's quattro AWD system and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The exterior of the RS6 Avant features a power tailgate, HD Matrix-design headlights with Audi laser light technology, and 21-inch 10-V-spoke star design silver wheels.

The interior features leather upholstery with heated and ventilated power seats up front, four-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, ambient LED interior lighting, and wireless phone charging. Standard driver assistance systems include lane departure warning, Audi pre sense front, pre sense basic, a surround-view camera system, and Audi connect Care assistance and security services. Infotainment includes a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a premium B&O sound system.

There are numerous packages available for the 2022 RS6 Avant, ranging from exterior styling to performance upgrades. The $6,350 Carbon Optic package is the most comprehensive styling package and adds features such as 22-inch 5-V-spoke trapezoid design cast-aluminum wheels, black roof rails, carbon mirror housings, the full Black Optic exterior package, and full Carbon optic exterior package.

Performance upgrades include a variety of ceramic brake upgrades that also feature colored calipers ranging from $8,500 - $9 000, while only painting the calipers red costs $500.

For the cabin, there is a $2,500 Executive package that adds tech such as a head-up display, heated rear seats, extended leather on the console and armrests, and power soft-closing doors. The Driver Assistance package costs $2,250 and adds features such as intersection assist, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. Night vision can be added for $2,500.

An upgrade to the 19-speaker B&O sound system will set you back an additional $4,900 while opting for the dynamic ride control suspension adds $1,250 to the bill. Lastly, the RS Design package in Gray or Red retails for $1,500 and adds black seatbelts with a gray or red border, RS-embossed floor mats, and leather on the dash, armrest, and center console.

Audi makes choosing an RS6 Avant simple by offering only one model. It is up to the buyer to make their example special, and thankfully Audi provides a ton of cool optional extras - albeit with hefty price tags. We'd get one in Nardo Gray and fit the $6,350 Carbon Optic package if we were buying. We'd also splurge on the RS Design package and the $1,000 sport exhaust for the Audi RS6 Avant, and the $2,250 Driver Assistance package. The total cost of this build comes to $128,695, including destination fees.

The 2022 Audi RS7 is a four-door executive performance car that is powered by the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine found in the RS6 Avant. The RS7 has the same performance specs as the Audi RS6 Avant and uses the same quattro AWD system and eight-speed automatic transmission. The RS7 is a more traditional take on the high-performance car but is still a large vehicle, measuring half an inch longer than the RS6 Avant. Both cars share the same 115.3-inch wheelbase. Inside, both cars offer more or less the same amount of passenger space, but the RS6 Avant does come with more cargo space. These cars feel equally as good to drive and offer similar performance levels. The interior and level of standard tech of both cars are also comparable, so the choice comes down to the body style you prefer. We'd go with the RS6 Avant because it's a wagon.

Few performance sedans are more feared and loved than the BMW M5; it's been setting the benchmark in its class for decades, and the sixth-generation F90 is the best of the lot. Powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, the M5 produces 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque which it sends to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This allows the M5 to reach 60 mph in only 3.2 seconds and go on to a top speed of 190 mph in the right configuration. The M5 is a hair shorter than the RS6 Avant and offers slightly less rear-seat legroom and only 14 cubic feet of cargo space, but it is the better car to drive fast. The interior is refined, and there's lots of tech too. This is a close one - and the M5 is spectacular - but in our minds, fast wagons always win.