Ultimate Family Hauler: Audi RS 6 Avant performance vs RS Q8
Performance
Let’s begin this section with a quick overview of each vehicle’s pricing and performance specifications —
2024 RS 6 Avant performance quattro
- Starting MSRP: $125,800 (Price as tested – Mid $140s)
- Engine: 4.0L biturbo V8
- Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic with quattro all-wheel drive
- Horsepower: 621 hp (591 hp, 2019-2023 )
- Torque: 627 lb-ft (590 lb-ft, 2019-2023)
- 0-60 mph: 3.3 seconds
- 60-0 mph: 113 feet (2019-2023, 2024 model stops quicker, but we haven’t found a specific measurement yet)
- Top track speed: 174 mph / optional 190
- Curb weight: 4,982 lbs
2023 RS Q8 quattro
- Starting MSRP: $125,800 (Price as tested – Mid $140s)
- Engine: 4.0L biturbo V8
- Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic with quattro all-wheel drive
- Horsepower: 591 hp
- Torque: 590 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds
- 60-0 mph: 114 feet (per fastestlaps.com)
- Top track speed: 174 mph / optional 190
- Curb weight: 5,490 lbs
On paper, the RS Q8 and RS 6 are surprisingly well-matched. Being roughly 500 pounds lighter, the RS 6 has an edge in straight-line acceleration, an advantage that only increases with the forthcoming 2024 upgrades. (Although, the 2024 RS Q8 could very well be in line for similar power bumps.) However, I was shocked to see that the RS Q8 is neck and neck when it comes to braking. In some reporting, the RS 6 wins; in others, the RS Q8 stops just a touch sooner. However, it seems that, for 2024, Audi says the new RS 6 Avant performance stops roughly 6.5 feet quicker from 100 km/h (62 mph), so the distinction might become clearer.
At the end of the day, while both are effectively supercars, the lighter, more powerful wagon has the slightest edge on paper and when measuring scientifically. In the real world, when measuring smiles and thrills on ye olde butt dyno, it’s harder to differentiate.
RS Q8: 8 out of 10
RS 6 Avant: 9 out of 10
Intro
Performance
Driving Dynamics
Style
Comfort & Ergonomics
And the winner is…
