What is it?
When I was growing up in the 1970s, the station wagon was the family transport of choice in America. With the introduction of the minivan and then the crossover SUV, station wagons practically disappeared from U.S. showrooms. However, there is still the Audi RS6 Avant, but it’s unlike any wagon we had during my childhood – this one looks and drives like an exotic sports car.

What I Drove
Audi provided me with a 2025 Audi RS6 Avant, painted in Nardo Gray. The options listed for this vehicle were extensive, including the driver assistance package, matte carbon package, executive package, night vision, RS sport exhaust, RS design package, and ceramic brakes. With all the added options, the total manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) was $163,495, including the $1,295 destination charge.

Aggressive Looks
One look at the Audi RS6 Avant and you know it’s a performance machine. The wagon sits low and wide with an aggressive stance. The large signature grille is flanked by large air intakes and sleek, stylish LED headlights with unique LED running lights. The sculpted hood hints at the power beneath.

Sleek Shape
The RS6 Avant has a slippery shape with a steeply raked windshield that flows into the roofline and back to the spoiler at the top of the rear hatch. The low-profile roof rails add utility without taking away from the Audi’s aero-maximized shape. Large fenders add to the bold look, nicely framing the 22-inch carbon-fiber wheels on my test vehicle.

Rear View
Stylish LED taillights that flow around the corners and larger integrated rear exhaust outlets contribute to the Audi’s sporty looks.

Under the Hood
The Audi RS6 Avant doesn’t just look like a powerful machine – it has the power to match. Under the hood is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine putting out 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. Power is delivered to the quattro all-wheel drive system via an 8-speed automatic transmission. According to Audi, the RS6 Avant will reach 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds with a top speed limited to 155 mph.

Performance Bits
In addition to the powerful V8 under the hood, the RS6 gets a range of performance upgrades to enhance handling as well as daily drivability. Features include RS-tuned adaptive air suspension, mechanical self-locking center differential, four-wheel steering, quattro sport rear differential, available ceramic brakes, and lightweight wheels shod with high-performance tires. (My test vehicle had high-performance winter tires, but performance seemed unaffected). Audi has also reduced the sound insulation so that those in the cabin can clearly hear the sound from the sport exhaust.

Inner Space
The RS6 Avant features a luxurious cabin, trimmed in the highest quality materials. Carbon fiber twill with inlaid blue accents lines the dashboard, accented by brushed metal and piano black surfaces. The RS Sport steering wheel has a nice grip with Alcantara trim, while the center armrest, door panels, and sides of the footwells feature Dinamica microfiber.

Multiple Screens
There’s a healthy dose of advanced technology in the RS6’s cabin with a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit digital driver display as well as the integrated infotainment display and digital climate controls below. The infotainment system features large icons for easy navigation, although its haptic operation, which requires pushing icons like a button, takes some getting used to.

Front Seats
Not only do they look good trimmed in Valcona leather with honeycomb contrast stitching and the embossed RS logo, but the front seats in the RS6 provide excellent support and comfort. Firm bolsters keep you from sliding during spirited driving, while the multiple adjustments and good padding make them comfortable for long stints behind the wheel.

Rear Seats
Rear seats have a style similar to those up front, and passengers will find plenty of legroom and headroom. Outboard seats have optional heating, and dual-zone rear climate control is adjustable from the center screen between the front seats. Not surprisingly, the middle seat is not very comfortable, with stiff padding in the seat and limited legroom due to the center console and hump in the floor.

Cargo Space
It may have the performance figures of an exotic sports car, but the RS6 Avant continues to impress with its high levels of utility. In addition to offering up a roomy, luxurious cabin, the Audi can handle up to 30 cubic feet of gear in its sizeable cargo area. That’s almost as much space as the Audi Q8 SUV, and with a low lift-over height, the RS6 is easy to load. An integrated cargo cover keeps items out of sight.

On the Road
It may look like a wagon, but it only takes a few moments behind the wheel to realize that the RS6 is a sports car hiding in a wagon’s body. Acceleration from a stop is exhilarating – with excellent grip and all-wheel drive, the big wagon takes off like a shot, reaching 60 mph in just a tick over three seconds. The accompanying V8 roar just adds to the smile-inducing experience.

Excellent Handling
Taking the RS6 Avant on my favorite twisting back roads in Southeast Michigan, the not-so-small Audi delivers excellent handling. Steering is ultra precise with instant response, strong brakes are predictable, and the suspension keeps the RS6 flat and stable, even when pushed through tight corners on the rough Michigan roads. All the while, the ride remains comfortable and confident, seeming to goad me into driving faster.

Grand Touring
The Audi RS6 Avant is equally adept at operating as a Grand Tourer, perfectly content to comfortably cruise down the freeway. Built for the high-speed German autobahns, the RS6 barely breaks a sweat at 70 mph, and the acceleration, even from that speed, was surprising every time I put my right foot down.

Rating: 9.5
They say you shouldn’t meet your heroes, or in this case, drive your dream car, as they often don’t live up to the expectations. I had been looking forward to driving the RS6 from the moment it was introduced, and after spending several days behind the wheel, the high-performance Audi exceeded all my expectations. Not only does its standout style turn heads wherever it goes, but its combination of luxury, utility, advanced technology, and outrageous performance makes the RS6 Avant a vehicle I would happily drive every day.