At first glance, the new 2026 Audi RS5 checks the right boxes. It’s longer than the old RS4 Avant, and it’s wider, too. And for the first time in this segment, it embraces plug-in hybrid tech, which sounds like real progress in the works.

Surprises don’t stop here with the new RS5. Audi Sport’s fast wagon now promises up to 54 miles (87 kilometers) of electric range, which is undeniably impressive for an RS model. Yet the practical side of the equation doesn’t follow the same upward curve.

Complete Powertrain Information

Coming as both the sedan and wagon station variants, the new 2026 Audi RS5 doesn’t compromise in terms of performance. In fact, this is the car`s main attribute. It features a 25.9 kWh battery pack that the company installed underneath the floor. The usable capacity is set at 22 kWh, which is slightly higher than the standard A5 plug-in hybrid model, with a capacity of 20.7 kWh.

2026 Audi RS5 Avant

Other Specifications

The car`s Quattro all-wheel-drive system comes with a new center differential, which reduces understeer, while at the rear end, the company`s new Dynamic Torque Control system shuffles torque between the rear wheels in just milliseconds. An RS Torque Rear mode is included, and a boost button provides maximum shove for 10 seconds.

Standard steel brake discs measure 420 mm at the front and 400 mm at the rear, while optional carbon ceramic brakes increase those figures to 440 mm and 410 mm respectively and are said to save 30 kg (66 lbs).

2026 Audi RS5 Sedan

Weight is where the discussion shifts. With the driver in, the sedan tips the scale at 2,355 kg, while the Avant adds another 15 kg, bringing the total to 2,370 kg. That makes the new sedan 190 kg heavier than the V8 RS6.

Audi has kept the V6 engine rather than downsizing further, and for many enthusiasts, that decision will matter. As for the United States, availability remains undecided. Audi hasn’t confirmed anything, with a clearer answer expected closer to the North American launch next year.

Conclusion

The RS5 Avant grows in size, adds electrification, and extends its electric reach. At the same time, its luggage space shrinks. Whether that trade-off feels acceptable will depend on what buyers expect from a performance wagon in 2026.

2026 Audi RS5 Sedan & Avant – Photo Gallery