The 2023 Audi RS5 Competition: Reigniting the Driver’s Soul
For enthusiasts who’ve followed the premium performance sedan segment for years, the Audi RS5 has often presented a curious paradox. It’s an undeniably potent machine, a masterclass in rapid transit that could, and often did, outpace sports cars carrying significantly higher price tags. Yet, despite its prodigious straight-line grunt and formidable cornering capabilities, there was a persistent sense that this speed, while impressive, rarely translated into visceral, unadulterated driving joy. The RS5, in its prior iterations, often felt like a fantastically capable tool that performed its duties with such clinical precision that the driver’s active participation felt somewhat secondary.
This perception, however, begins to shift dramatically with the arrival of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition. More precisely, it refers to the Audi RS5 Coupe adorned with the substantial $16,100 Competition package. It’s important to make this distinction, especially when considering the nomenclature preferences of certain German rivals. Nevertheless, rooted in Ingolstadt’s engineering ethos, this enhanced RS5 embarks on a similar mission. It retains the potent 444-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V6 engine found in the standard model, but pairs it with a manually adjustable coilover suspension, beefed-up anti-roll bars, a more direct steering ratio, and an undeniably more characterful exhaust system.
The result of this comprehensive Competition package is a vehicle that is not only more agile and composed at elevated velocities but, critically, offers a richer tapestry of road feedback. This enhanced communication allows the driver to forge a more intimate connection with both the car and the asphalt beneath. Now, six model years into its second generation, this potent Audi finally seems to have ascended to its zenith, a true driver’s machine.
Unpacking the $16,100 Investment: What Your Money Buys
The $16,100 outlay for the Competition package is considerable, but it’s crucial to assess the value proposition. This extensive list of enhancements includes game-changing hardware such as carbon-ceramic brakes, the aforementioned coilover suspension, upgraded sport sway bars, and a commanding RS sport exhaust. Beyond the mechanical prowess, visual cues are also present, including a carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser, aggressive 20-inch Y-spoke wheels, luxurious Nappa leather seating, and a tactile Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel. While this enumeration doesn’t encompass every single item, it clearly demonstrates that despite the significant cost, the package delivers substantial tangible benefits for the discerning enthusiast.
Crucially, the powertrain remains untouched. The twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 continues to deliver a robust 444 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. While these figures might not eclipse those of competitors like the BMW M4 Competition (503 hp) or the outgoing Mercedes-AMG C63 (503 hp), they are more than ample to ensure the RS5 feels every bit as rapid as its rivals in real-world driving scenarios. The 0-60 mph sprint remains consistent at a blistering 3.8 seconds, but the top speed receives a notable boost to 180 mph – a full 25 mph over the standard car and six mph beyond models equipped with the Dynamic Plus package. This revised top speed isn’t just a number; it signifies the car’s enhanced high-speed stability and capability.
The Transformative Impact on the Driving Experience
It’s on a winding back road, however, that the full transformative impact of the Competition package truly reveals itself. From the very first turn of the wheel as you enter a tight bend, the difference is palpable. The coilover suspension, while decidedly firmer, exerts masterful control over the RS5’s nearly 4,000-pound mass. It enables instantaneous changes in direction, eradicating unwanted body roll and imbuing the car with a newfound nimbleness. This enhanced agility is significantly amplified by the Competition’s recalibrated steering. Though it might not deliver an abundance of granular road feel, its increased directness and precision are remarkable, allowing for more confident placement of the car.
The Audi RS5 Competition couples this revitalized chassis with grippy Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires and a finely tuned eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. This synergy maximizes the benefits of the suspension improvements, resulting in impressive mid-corner grip. Furthermore, it allows the car to deploy its substantial power with unwavering confidence as you accelerate out of apexes. While the standard RS5 is an undoubtedly capable machine, the Competition’s firmer chassis offers a far more communicative experience, enabling the driver to not only witness its immense pace but to actively feel it. This is where the essence of Audi RS5 driver engagement truly comes to the fore. The RS5 Competition price is justified by this heightened sensory experience.
Balancing the Scales: Usability and Refinement
Despite its firmer and 0.39-inch (10 mm) lower stance, the Audi RS5 Competition’s enhanced capabilities do not come at the expense of everyday comfort and practicality. This observation, however, speaks volumes about the standard RS5, which, for some, often felt overly plush and refined for what was ostensibly Audi’s most engaging A5 variant. The Competition-spec RS5, with its stiffer chassis, strikes an admirable equilibrium. It is a thoroughly capable sports car for spirited weekend excursions, yet it remains a comfortable and compliant commuter for the daily grind. This duality is a hallmark of modern performance vehicles, and the RS5 Competition achieves it with aplomb.
The Competition package also sees a reduction in the RS5’s sound-deadening materials, a decision that harmonizes beautifully with the inclusion of the assertive RS sport exhaust. While this diminished noise insulation leads to a more pronounced intrusion of road and tire noise into the cabin, a true performance machine shouldn’t be shrouded in an artificial silence. Where Audi’s previous efforts at refinement sometimes necessitated the artificial amplification of engine sounds through the speakers, the current RS5 delivers a genuinely guttural V6 soundtrack, punctuated by explosive upshifts. This auditory experience can be modulated, amplified, or subdued according to your selected drive mode, adding another layer of driver interaction. This focus on Audi RS5 exhaust note is a key differentiator.
Interior Refinements: A Focus on Performance and Luxury
As previously mentioned, the Competition package imbues the RS5’s cabin with a selection of performance-oriented enhancements. The seats, upholstered in Nappa leather and Dinamica, feature a striking hexagonal stitch pattern reminiscent of high-end Italian exotics, complemented by gloss-black trim and embroidered RS logos on the seatbacks. Their aggressively bolstered design provides excellent lateral support during spirited driving, while still offering ample comfort for longer journeys.
All Competition models feature an Alcantara-clad steering wheel, headliner, and a cabin trimmed with carbon fiber accents. However, unlike the often overtly glossy finishes found in some German rivals, Audi opts for a more understated matte finish for the Alcantara and carbon fiber, allowing these materials to blend seamlessly with the dark, sophisticated cabin ambiance. This tasteful application of performance materials contributes to the overall Audi RS5 interior design.
Exterior Styling: Subtle Yet Potent
From a purely visual standpoint, the changes to the Audi RS5 Competition are not overtly dramatic. It essentially bundles desirable options like the carbon-fiber front splitter and rear diffuser – available on the standard RS5 – with gloss-black badging and trim elements. The 20-inch Y-spoke wheels are elegantly proportioned and provide an unobstructed view of the substantial carbon-ceramic brakes. While these enhancements are welcome, one might have anticipated more pronounced visual differentiation to set this enhanced model apart, particularly considering the second-generation RS5’s extended production run.
On a more positive note, the second-generation Audi RS5 continues to age remarkably well. Launched in 2017, its inherently elegant design language ensures it retains a contemporary presence even years after its debut. While it may not possess the overt aggression or ostentatious flair of some of its BMW or Mercedes-AMG counterparts, it remains arguably the most aesthetically refined option within its segment. This timeless design is a significant asset for Audi RS5 coupe pricing and appeal.
The Timing Quandary: A Question of Lifecycle
The age of the second-generation Audi RS5 is, perhaps, the most complex element in this review. While the introduction of the Competition package is undeniably laudable for its significant enhancement of the driving experience, its arrival so late in the model’s lifecycle inevitably raises a pertinent question: Will this greatly improved dynamic prowess be sufficient to attract buyers to a car that, from the outside, appears largely unchanged since its 2017 introduction? This is a crucial consideration when evaluating the Audi RS5 performance sedan market.
The $16,100 Competition package, despite its considerable cost, undeniably injects a significant dose of value, particularly for those prioritizing driving engagement. A base 2023 Audi RS5 Coupe commenced at $78,995, inclusive of destination fees. My test vehicle, optioned with the aforementioned Competition package, the $3,000 RS driver assistance package, and the $1,500 navigation system, pushed the final tally to $100,565.
The Competitive Landscape and Pricing
While a six-figure Audi based on the A5 platform might initially seem a significant investment, its pricing aligns competitively with a fully equipped BMW M4. Although pricing for the upcoming Mercedes-AMG C63 in the United States has yet to be officially announced, it is reasonable to anticipate it will command a similar or even higher figure. Consequently, the Audi RS5, while asking a premium sum, finally possesses a driving engagement that fully justifies its elevated cost. This positioning within the performance coupe market is key.
Conclusion: A Driver’s Dream, Finally Realized
The 2023 Audi RS5 Competition represents the car I, and many enthusiasts, have wished the RS5 had been all along. It is a vehicle that is not merely fast, but agile and profoundly engaging, seamlessly blending the inherent speed of the base car with a level of driver immersion that was previously unattainable. Crucially, despite its firmer chassis, it sacrifices very little, if any, in terms of daily comfort or practicality. Furthermore, thanks to reduced sound deadening, the driver is treated to a more visceral and authentic auditory experience, no longer reliant on artificial sonic enhancements. This focus on best driver’s car Audi is a major achievement.
In isolation, the Competition package-equipped Audi RS5 stands as a compelling adversary to BMW’s highly regarded M4. However, the car’s age cannot be entirely disregarded. Despite its latest updates finally transforming the RS5 from merely a quick car into a genuinely engaging driver’s instrument, the lingering question remains: Will buyers respond to this late-blooming dynamism, or is it a case of “too little, too late”? For those seeking a blend of everyday usability, sophisticated design, and exhilarating driving dynamics, the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition offers a compelling and deeply satisfying proposition.
If you’re ready to experience the thrill of the 2023 Audi RS5 Competition and explore how this remarkable vehicle can elevate your driving passion, we invite you to schedule a test drive at your nearest Audi dealership or contact our sales team to discuss available options and financing solutions. Discover for yourself why this RS5 is finally at the pinnacle of its game.
