2013 Audi RS 5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

$68,900 to $77,900

Original MSRP

expert review

4.6

avg user rating

The rest of the world has had its turn. Now we get to play with the RS 5 in North America. While the wait wasn’t preferable, it does mean Audi's mid-cycle refresh will be our debut. For 2013, the RS 5 got a facial that freshens up the front slightly, but otherwise received little aesthetic attention. Perhaps not a surprise for a design de'Silva describes as his “most beautiful ever,” but two changes for 2013 are certainly notable: the adoption of electromechanical steering and a revised Quattro system with a new self-locking, crown-gear center differential.

With the differential, all news is good, as it’s lighter, more efficient, and allows for torque variation that can send up to 70 percent to the front wheels or a chunky 85 percent to the rears. The steering has gotten a more interesting reception. Thankfully, electro-steering isn’t the death-knell it was just a few years ago, and it allows for the addition of tech like dynamic steering besides. Yes, the feel here isn’t the best in the industry, and you won’t find the RS 5 nipping at the heels of its Teutonic brethren, but it’s better than a lot of systems out there, and Audi claims it saves 1 mpg at the pump. And some testers have even gone so far as to claim that while the RS 5 falls behind the M3 and the C63 AMG on warm dry roads, nothing can touch it in the slop. Talk about subjective. I smell ice rally.

And then there were two. Rumors continue to fly regarding a forced-induction 6-cylinder in the next M3, which would leave the C63 AMG and the RS 5 as the places to go for a big V8 in a German sport saloon. In the RS 5, that means a 4.2-liter, 450-hp, direct-injected V8 that can deliver 317 lb-ft of torque between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm and will spool up to peak horsepower at 8,250 rpm. Sixty mph can be reached in just 4.5 seconds, and if you have the space, the RS 5 will finally leg out at 174 mph. No 3-pedal manual is available, but an S-tronic, 7-speed dual-clutch with launch control should keep you entertained.

No one dared touch an inch of that gorgeous sheetmetal, but new lights feature halos with LED tubes to replace the individual LEDs up front and a darker tinted lens cover in the rear. Lower grille and lip are untouched, but the center grill gets a new trim ring and the sharper corners as seen already, and a small change is made to the window trim as well, which is black rather than brushed metal. Inside you’ll have to look hard to notice the changes, but a new flat-bottomed steering wheel and shift knob are the most glaring differences. The OCD amongst you will notice a reduction of buttons in the MMI, and it‘s nice to see things simplify.

Carbon-ceramic brakes are still optional, but the standard iron discs have been shaved down to save 6.6 pounds total, too, and that’s important weight saved, little though it may be. There’s also an optional black-tipped sport exhaust with active acoustic flaps and forged 19-inch alloys. Feel free to opt for the optional 20-inch wheels, but be prepared for a penalty in ride quality, though supportive bucket seats try hard to soak up the bumps.

One man’s trash may be another’s treasure, but the RS 5 was never trash to anyone. Instead, it was just held hostage across the pond, and now we get to celebrate a brand-new car that’s already 3 years old. Sure, we could be bitter, but I prefer to think Audi was waiting until they got the RS 5 just right before they introduced us. It was only polite after all, and the RS 5 was worth the wait.

Published May 31, 2022 by Michael Perkins

A CarGurus contributor since 2008, Michael started his career writing about cars with the SCCA - winning awards during his time as editor of Top End magazine. Since then, his journalistic travels have taken him from NY to Boston to CA, completing a cross-country tour on a restored vintage Suzuki. While his preference is for fine German automobiles - and the extra leg room they so often afford - his first automobile memories center around impromptu Mustang vs. Corvette races down the local highway, in the backseat of his father's latest acquisition.

2013 Audi RS 5 Pricing

Original MSRP

$68,900 to $77,900

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Trims & specs

2013 Audi RS 5 quattro Coupe AWD

Original MSRP: $68,900

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 180 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: front center · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 2.94 · Limited slip differential: rear

Engine

Alternator: 190 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: polished aluminum · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: grey · Mirror color: silver-painted · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: adjustable · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: silver

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level

Lights

Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: power

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Roof

Moonroof: power glass

Safety

Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: front

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather

Spare Tire

Kit: tire sealant

Steering

Steering ratio: 15.9

Suspension

Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: summer performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse

2013 Audi RS 5 quattro Cabriolet AWD

Original MSRP: $77,900

Air Conditioning

Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Single rear air conditioning zones

Airbags

Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags

Audio System

Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 180 watts

Brakes

ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc

Comfort Features

Armrests: front center · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather

Convenience Features

Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): front and rear · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating

Driver Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Drivetrain

4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 2.94 · Limited slip differential: rear

Engine

Alternator: 190 amps

Exterior Features

Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: polished aluminum · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: grey · Mirror color: silver-painted · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: silver

Headrests

Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2

In Car Entertainment

Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.

Instrumentation

Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure

Lights

Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals

Passenger Seat

Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12

Rear Seats

Type: 60-40 split bench

Roof

Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power

Safety

Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: front

Seatbelts

Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point

Seats

Spare Tire

Kit: tire sealant

Steering

Steering ratio: 15.9

Suspension

Telematics

Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth

Tires

Type: summer performance

Tires and Rims

Wheel type: aluminum alloy

Wheels

Wheel spokes: 10

Windows

Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: with safety reverse

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