Vale Audi RS 4 Avant 1999-2024, after 25 years the sun has set on the RS 4 and Audi are retiring it the from their model line-up. For its swansong in Australia Audi released this RS 4 Avant fitted with the optional Competition plus package that offered extra performance and visual punch.
The RS 4 started and ended its life powered by a V6 petrol engine with a V8 interlude sandwiched in between those. Although the RS 4 name may be coming to an end, the quintessential fast Audi wagon is not completely done with the yet, with the soon to be released RS 5 Avant picking up where the RS 4 has left off. I have already sampled the lesser version, the S5 Avant, with the full review of that coming soon.
This RS 4 Avant is a brilliant family wagon with practicality combined with punch when you need it. It’s powered by a 2.9 litre V6 petrol engine twin turbocharged that produces 331 kW between 5,700 to 6,700rpm and a maximum of 600Nm of torque between 1,900 – 5,000rpm. The RS 4 Avant can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 250km/h in standard trim, but as my RS 4 was fitted with the optional Competition Plus package ($15,290) that top speed increases to 290km/h.
The Competition plus package adds RS sport suspension pro coilover system with a tool kit in the boot to adjust this, RS sport exhaust system with matt black pipes, fixed ratio dynamic steering and reprogrammed software for the quattro sport differential and transmission. Visually the package adds 20” Audi Sport wheels in the 5-Y-spoke design finished in black metallic gloss, the Audi rings and lettering in gloss black with the rhombus in red, and front LED entrance lights that dance when you start the car up.
The drive modes available include Comfort, Auto and Dynamic and I really do like how Audi’s start in the last used drive mode, rather than defaulting back to the Normal mode like so many other car brands. There are also two configurable RS modes that allow you to adjust the drive system, steering, engine sound, quattro sport differential to your personal settings in a one for now and one for later kind of way. There’s also a RS monitor that gives you readout of your core temps, G force, and tyre pressure info.
To access these quickly you simply press the RS button on the optional black Alcantara steering wheel that looks and feels beautiful. The steering wheel is also heated and has small metal wheel-mounted paddle shifters to ‘manually’ change the gears on the 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Behind the steering wheel is the familiar Audi digital cluster that has basic view changes and can be configured with your selected information displayed.
I clearly enjoyed my time with the fast wagon as my fuel use was 12.2L/100km, with the official combined fuel consumption being 9.5L/100km. When you press the start button there’s a nice bellow from the exhaust and the RS 4 settles in to a more comfortable rhythm. Select Dynamic mode, and you are rewarded with louder exhaust note to enjoy and more punch out of the corners with the quattro system keeping everything in check nicely.
This particular Progressive red Audi RS 4 Avant is also fitted with the optional Matt carbon exterior styling package ($6,300). This adds matt carbon inserts onto the front spoiler blade and side blades, side mirrors, and the rear diffuser for an extra sporty look befitting this tough wagon.
With your key remaining in your handbag thanks to keyless entry on all four doors you step over the lit door sill and Audi Sport puddle lights and are greeted by the well-known Audi cabin design. On this RS 4 you also have the optional RS design package in red ($3,400) and this includes the Alcantara steering wheel along with the sides of the centre console finished in black Alcantara with stitching in crescendo red. Along with black seatbelts with red edging and floor mats with red stitching and the RS logo.
In this RS 4 it is showing its age with one advantage of this being physical knobs and switches for the climate controls, but on the downside it has small cubbies and storage pockets that don’t quite stack up today. Under the arm rest there is a wireless phone charger and one USB-C port and at the front of the gloss black centre console there is a small ledge with one USB-A port and one 12V socket. But I do like the optional ($1,400) inlays in matt carbon fibre used throughout the cabin.
The Competition plus package deletes the RS sport contour leather seats with electric adjustment and massage function and replaces them with these RS bucket seats finished in Dinamica and leather with matt carbon backs and they are heated. The seats are immensely grippy and really hold you in snuggly, but only have manual adjustment for seat height, forward/back, recline and this has a rotary adjustment that is quite difficult to turn.
The technology on offer is still up to date though with the wireless Android Auto not missing a beat for my week with the RS 4. The voice control used to operate the 10.1” infotainment system also worked first go for making a phone call, changing the radio station and setting a destination on the sat nav. The other feature I also love about Audis is the standard inclusion of a Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system to enjoy your music on.
The rear seats are comfortable and have ample head and leg room and under thigh support for me, but taller individuals may find them a bit tight. For younger passengers there are two ISOFix/three rear tether child seat restraint points, but most likely only enough room for two car seats. The centre seat folds down as an arm rest with a slim cubby in it and very Audi-esque complex set of cup holders that flip up and have a removable base for easy cleaning. All four doors also have good-sized drink bottle storage cubbies that are moulded on a 45-degree angle.
Rear passengers can enjoy the panoramic sunroof and get digital rear temperature control that can also be adjusted form the front of the vehicle. The two central air vents with individual direction control and one central on/off roller switch and below these are two USB-A ports and one 12V socket. The gap between the seats and the rear of the centre console being quite narrow and the transmission tunnel is tall so this would make sliding between the rear seats a little more difficult to do.
The gesture open boot did not work for me, but you do have powered open/close from the tailgate button and in the cabin and open only from key fob. Being the RS 4 is a low vehicle it’s easy to reach into the back of this very large boot space and it’s a nice height to sit on if you happen to be watching your kids playing weekend sport. I like that the cargo cover auto slides up and out of the way and back into place when you close the boot and that you have a temporary use spare tyre located under the boot floor.
The boot space has four substantial tie down points with a cargo net, two hooks, two lights and one 12V socket. If more space is required you have 40:60 split fold rear seats with a manual release for them in the boot or on the rear seat shoulders, but the seats do not lie completely flat. For longer items you can also separately lower the centre seat to feed them through.
Advanced driver assistance systems standard on the RS 4 include adaptive cruise control (set using stalk behind steering wheel), Audi side assist – blind spot warning system, rear cross-traffic assist, Audi pre-sense with autonomous emergency braking and Audi pre-sense rear. For convenience you also get auto dusk sensing headlights, auto high beam, and auto rain sensing wipers. Plus, a 360-degree rear view camera with front and rear parking sensors.
The Audi RS 4 Avant comes with a five-year manufacturer warranty and also includes a complimentary five-year Audi roadside assistance. Audi owners also receive a complementary membership during their warranty period to Audi Experience, Audi Australia’s bespoke loyalty program that offers access to exclusive national events, intimate Audi Ambassador experiences and premium partner offers.
The service interval for the RS a Avant is 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first, and a five-year service plan (maximum of 75,000km) can be purchased upfront for $3,630. There’s also an option to purchase an Audi Advantage package for $4,260 to extend servicing, warranty, and roadside assistance for an additional two years.
The Audi RS 4 Avant TFSI quattro tiptronic is priced from $165,015 excluding dealer delivery and on-road costs and as tested with the options listed above this RS 4 was $191,405 plus above costs. The Audi RS 4 is no longer listed on the Audi Australia’s website for purchase, but customers who are interested in RS 4 in its current form should contact their preferred Audi dealer at their earliest convenience, as there is limited stock available.
| Pros | Cons |
| The impressive powertrain | Older style cabin design |
| The aggressive styling | Manual front seat adjustment |
| The Bang & Olufsen stereo comes as standard | The gesture open boot didn’t work for me |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.