The 2023 Audi RS 6 Avant is a potent, athletic wagon. It combines a twin-turbocharged V8 engine with taut handling and 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats (Audi doesn’t state total cargo space). This combination of fun and function makes the RS 6 Avant something of a sports car for everyday life. The RS 6 Avant has been available off and on since the early 2000s. The latest generation of this hot-rod wagon arrived for the 2020 model year and carries over to 2023 largely unchanged.

The RS 6 Avant is offered in one very well-equipped trim. Standard features include 21-inch alloy wheels with performance tires, HD Matrix-design LED headlights with Audi laser light, Valcona leather upholstery, RS stitching in the seatbacks, a flat-bottom sport steering wheel, carbon fiber interior accents, sport bucket seats, and a fully digital instrument panel (Audi’s Virtual Cockpit). The RS 6 Avant also features a dual-screen center console setup. The lower screen operates many vehicle functions, including the climate control, while the upper screen is home to the infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

There are a number of options packages on the RS 6 Avant, including the Carbon Optics Package, which adds unique 22-inch wheels, dark roof rails, dark exterior accents, and carbon side mirror housings. You can also select an upgraded RS Design Interior Package, massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and power soft-closing doors. For 2023, a black Dinamica headliner is now an available option on the RS 6 Avant.

The RS 6 Avant is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. It makes 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to Quattro all-wheel drive. It allows the RS 6 Avant to sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 155 mph.

More than just straight-line power, the RS 6 Avant features an RS-tuned performance suspension, four-wheel steering, and a sport differential. The RS 6 Avant is also available with high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes.

Unsurprisingly, the RS 6 Avant requires premium fuel. EPA fuel economy estimates are 15 mpg city, 22 highway, and 17 combined.

The RS 6 Avant comes standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front-and-rear parking sensors.

Base MSRP for the 2023 Audi RS 6 is $116,500 in its lone trim. Selecting options can add thousands to that price. The RS 6 Avant is backed by a four-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty.