It’s the end of the line for that Audi A4 as we know it. In saying goodbye to the ‘B9’ generation A4 that launched in 2015, we welcome the Audi RS4 Competition Plus.
It is the most hardcore example of the breed yet, sitting lower to the floor with hard-edged gear changes, lightweight wheels and snuggly bucket seats. You can also get it in swoopy RS5 Sportback guise.
Audi is only bringing 75 units of each down under as a swan song for the B9 generation RS4 and RS5 before the even-numbered model moves into its all-electric future.
As we’ll go on to discover, these two special models see the A4 and A5 bow out in style.
Audi RS 4 2024: Avant 2.9 Tfsi Quattro
| Engine Type | Twin Turbo V6, 2.9L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | |
| Fuel Efficiency | 9.5L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $156,069 |
Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?
8 / 10
You’d expect the RS5 to be more popular given how uncool wagons are these days but Audi’s whole thing is wagons — or Avants, for the initiated — so it makes sense that the RS4 Avant outsells the RS5 Sportback about two-to-one.
For the RS4 Avant’s basic asking price of $165,015, before on-road costs, you get luxury features such as LED headlights, an RS design package, Nappa leather upholstery, power-adjust seats, a Bang & Olufsen 19-speaker sound system and metallic paint on top of the significant changes to the RS4’s chassis and zingy 331kW V6.
2025 Audi RS4 Avant Competition Plus
The RS5 is a little dearer, reflecting the addition of Matrix LED headlights that aren’t available on the wagon.
But we have the ‘Competition Plus Pack’, which is a $13,990 indulgence that swaps adaptive dampers for Audi’s ‘RS Sport Suspension’ coil over package with manual rebound and compression adjustment and height adjustment.
2025 Audi RS4 Avant Competition Plus
The cars sit 10mm lower than a normal RS4 but you can go to a dealer to move the ride height up or down from there.
That’s not it, though. You also get a louder exhaust system with matte black pipes, fixed-ratio steering system, a retuned eight-speed automatic with more aggressive shifts, different rear differential programming, black exterior badging, 2.0kg lighter 20-inch Audi Sport wheels (in silver or black), special LED entrance lights and your speed limiter raised to 290km/h.
2025 Audi RS4 Avant Competition Plus
The ‘Navarra Blue’ RS5 pictured is a ‘basic’ Competition Plus. You can go further, as done with the RS4 Avant with its manual-adjust bucket seats ($1300), ‘Interior Design Pack’ in red ($3400), matte carbon exterior pack ($6300) and carbon trim, bringing its total cost to $191,405, before on-road costs.
That makes the RS4 and RS5 the most affordable in their competitor set, below a BMW M3 Competition xDrive Touring ($183,500) and Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance hybrid, which is $187,900, before on-road costs.
Is there anything interesting about its design?
9 / 10
The RS4 Avant’s ‘Progressive Red’ metallic helps the black milled 20-inch alloy wheels pop. Its stance is hugely purposeful with wheels tucked right up in the blistered arches courtesy of the lowered ride height — it’s how the Avant would have looked in a design sketch.
The visual bulk of the long-roofed RS4 gives it the sort of proportions motoring journalists love to wax lyrical about, even if plenty of buyers still prefer coupes or lifted SUVs.
The RS5’s more flowing, elegant lines match well with the Navarra Blue paint work, silver-accented wheels and conventional leather-appointed seats within.
Both cars have effectively identical front cabins reflecting Audi’s classy and sleek design language. The integration of technology is pretty good and the RS4’s additional red styling pack really makes it feel sporty within.
How practical is its space and tech inside?
9 / 10
The RS4’s cabin is excellent, with a good mix of physical buttons and responsive touchscreens for control. There’s enough storage space for this kind of vehicle, with good door bins and well-sized cupholders in the centre as well as USB-C and -A charge points.
Audi’s multimedia system is friendly though the large touch targets and dark background aren’t as crisp as those fitted to the latest rivals. The screen isn’t as big, either, measuring 10.1 inches for the multimedia item. The RS4 supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
That said, Audi’s 12.3-inch digital driver’s display with bright and poppy mapping software and generous customisation remains right at the head of the pack.
There is a panel of switches below the touchscreen for climate control, physical selection of the five-or-so drive modes and a collection of helpful buttons on the perfectly-shaped and sized leather-appointed steering wheel.
2025 Audi RS4 Avant Competition Plus
It lacks F1 or DTM wow-factor compared to the C63 and M3 with their easy-access driver mode buttons and toggles on the steering wheel but the RS4’s restrained looks will resonate with those that prefer a bit more elegance inside.
Neither the RS4 nor RS5’s back seats are designed for those over about 175cm. The RS4’s roof is a little higher so it is good enough for most adults but the RS5’s sloping profile compromises things. It has two individual buckets compared to the RS4’s three-wide bench.
2025 Audi RS4 Avant Competition Plus
Rear seat passengers get air vents, an individual climate zone, bottle holders in the doors, USB charge points and ISOFIX attachments for the outboard seats, with matching top tethers in the seat backs.
The Audi RS4’s boot is a generous 505L with under floor storage and a netted area on the driver’s side. Folding the 40/20/40 split-fold bench increases space to 1495L. That said, the RS5’s 465L is still very good, though it is not quite as practical in the real world.
Being fitted with roof rails makes for sleek integration of roof racks for the RS4 to slip roof pods, bike racks or whatever else you might choose to take on a trip away.
What are the key stats for its engine and transmission?
8 / 10
Audi’s 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 has seen plenty of use across performance products from Audi and Porsche, including the Macan S and Audi S6.
In the RS4 and RS5 Competition Plus, it develops the same 331kW (at 5700-6700rpm) and 600Nm (at 1900-5000rpm) as the regular car. This makes it an extremely flexible engine that delivers predictable punch anywhere in the power band.
That said, it lacks the explosive character of BMW’s twin-turbo inline six — the figures are only 15kW and 50Nm higher on paper yet the M3’s response is that much more ferocious.
Audi’s RS division has tried to capture a bit more emotion, retuning the eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission for crisper shifts. This also benefits the RS4’s 0-100km/h sprint time, which falls two tenths to 3.9 seconds in Competition Plus guise.
The V6 breathes a little easier, too, with a different exhaust. Audi says the extra sound is down to 8.0kg less sound deadening in the car.
There’s more resonance at idle that does feel tiring sitting in traffic idling but the trade-off is a brawny mid-range baritone that develops into a shrill bark approaching the redline.
What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range?
8 / 10
The Audi RS4 wagon is rated to use 9.5L/100km in ADR combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) consumption testing while the slipperier RS5 returns 9.4L/100km in the same test.
We weren’t able to run accurate or particularly relevant fuel figures on the event but the trip computers showed around 12L/100km in both RS4 and RS5.
2025 Audi RS4 Avant Competition Plus
While these numbers are high compared to your average passenger car, the Audi is more efficient than BMW’s rivals, and gets remarkably close to the hybrid C63 in the real world.
The fuel tank is quite small for this kind of vehicle at 58 litres. That limits the RS4’s theoretical driving range to 611km.
Unsurprisingly, the Audi RS4 and RS5 require 98 RON premium unleaded petrol.
What’s it like to drive?
9 / 10
The time allocated to driving the RS4 Avant Competition Plus was fairly limited and we were sadly unable to sample how the highly adjustable coil over suspension performed where it makes most sense — on the racetrack.
Still, winding country roads between Sydney and the Southern Highlands served up some challenges, demonstrating how the Competition Plus pack changes the character of the RS4 and RS5.
2025 Audi RS4 Avant Competition Plus
The only real negative is comfort, specifically over those horrible plastic speed bumps that litter shopping centre car parks. With adaptive dampers, carmakers can set programs for these kinds of obstacles to soften and stiffen the clever shocks at just the right time. Not so the Competition Plus pack cars, which ride these bumps harshly.
2025 Audi RS4 Avant Competition Plus
That about does it, though, and everything thing else is a net benefit. The steering system addresses some criticism of the earlier RS4s. Further than a retune, the Competition Plus gets a new rack, that is non-progressive with a fixed ratio of 15:1 (instead of 13.3:1) and 2.4 turns lock-to-lock. The reactions to each input feel a hint more faithful.
2025 Audi RS4 Avant Competition Plus
When above 40km/h the coil overs come into their own. Even though the RS4 rides firmly it doesn’t constantly jiggle over small bumps. Over sharp-edged hits, the suspension rounds the hits off so, while you feel them, there’s a sense of control and sophistication.
Having speed limits to contend with means it is essentially impossible to find the limits of grip of the 275/30R20 Continental SportContact 6 tyres on the road and there isn’t much body roll, either.
2025 Audi RS4 Avant Competition Plus
The RS4 is still rewarding, though, getting up on its toes just enough through a series of bends to feel engaging. It gives an impression of being quite light and at 1820kg it is now considered featherweight next to rivals.
The RS4’s Quattro all-wheel drive system favours the rear wheels when driving normally (60 per cent rear) and can send up to 85 per cent of the drive to the back axle.
The tweaked electronically-controlled rear limited-slip differential amplifies the throttle steer-ability of the RS4, giving you the confidence to squeeze the gas on exit.
2025 Audi RS4 Avant Competition Plus
It helps that the Competition Plus bucket seats are a little thinner and set closer to the floor giving you more feedback. This is the key differentiator between the RS4 and RS5 we drove — the buckets make the car feel alive.
Strong brakes are made up of 375mm front rotors clamped by six-piston calipers. Optional carbon ceramic brakes with larger 400mm front rotors help save 6.5kg and, if you plan to use the RS4 on track, are a smart buy along with a set of Pirelli P Zero Corsa semi slick tyres ($850).
Really, though, neither the RS4 nor RS5 are the perfect car for the track. They are plenty capable and fast on the road with just enough fun, reward and character thrown in to keep you coming back for more.
Warranty & Safety Rating
Basic Warranty
5 years/unlimited km warranty
ANCAP Safety Rating
– 
What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating?
8 / 10
The Audi A4 range was rated a maximum five stars in ANCAP safety testing in 2021, with the rating now considered expired. The stamp also only applied to four-cylinder models — so not the RS4 we drove.
It has lots of safety equipment, including eight airbags (dual frontal, side chest, front and rear side head curtains), autonomous emergency braking (AEB) functional up to 250km/h with pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, safe exist warning and tyre pressure monitoring.
Adaptive cruise control with lane-trace assist makes it an easy car to use on the motorway. The systems are well integrated and easy to switch on and off as you like.
What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs?
8 / 10
Audi covers the RS4 and RS5 with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty which is now the expected norm across the premium part of the market.
A five-year service plan can be pre-purchased, costing $3630 for both models with maintenance due annually or every 15,000km.
After the five-year warranty period, owners can choose to extend the service packaging and warranty for two extra years at a cost of $4260. This can be done twice, extending the warranty up to nine years.
Verdict
What a way to send off this generation of Audi RS4 and RS5. The extra focus courtesy of those trick coil overs and drama from the exhaust plus the sharper gear changes deliver the best Audi has done with these RS products.
There are some compromises, with the suspension favouring outright control over low-speed comfort. It’s also true that the current BMW’s M3 and M4 are more impressive, but when the products are nearly seven years fresher than Audi’s, what do you expect?
Plus, those looking for a more restrained and polite fast executive sedan (or wagon) will gel with the Audi’s sophistication. There aren’t many of these Competition Plus RS4 and RS5s coming to Australia and they are impressive visually and from behind the wheel. It’s a fitting way to send off the current generations.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
