Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi RS4 B9 review – MPG and running costs

MPG is rated in the high-20s range, which is totally doable, and relatively reasonable considering the punch

Evo rating
  • Deftly tuned suspension, linear steering, desirability
  • Powertrain lacks punch and character, rivals sharper, harder and faster

An advantage of the RS4’s relatively small body, engine and low (relative) power figure is that its quoted 30-ish MPG should be entirely achievable on a daily mix of driving, even with a few heavy throttle applications thrown in. 

The RS4’s footprint is rather chunky with 275-section tyres all-round, it’s got some aggressive geometry, and a pretty even spread of power delivery that will make tyre bills more substantial than with a normal A4. The all-wheel-drive systems also necessitate you’re disciplined with your tyre replacements, with imbalances famed for causing issues. It'd be interesting to observe how much easier B9 RS4s are on their tyres by comparison to the BMW M3 Touring and especially, the latest Mercedes-AMG C63, which are both much heavier than the aged Audi.

Advertisement - Article continues below

From all accounts, the RS4's Porsche-developed V6 engine is a resilient and somewhat understressed unit, meaning that general reliability is pretty good. The engine saw service and is still in use, across a lot of Porsche’s passenger car range, in many cases paired to a hybrid drive module.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Alpine A390 v Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – are these EV crossovers fun as well as fast?
Alpine A390 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Group tests

Alpine A390 v Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – are these EV crossovers fun as well as fast?

A world away from the A110, Alpine’s most ambitious gamble yet is a 464bhp electric ‘sport fastback’. Can it match Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N when it comes t…
8 Mar 2026
New Cupra Born arrives as a feistier Volkswagen ID.3, with bucket seats and up to 322bhp
2026 Cupra Born
News

New Cupra Born arrives as a feistier Volkswagen ID.3, with bucket seats and up to 322bhp

Cupra has given the ID.3-based Born a substantial refresh, comprising a new design, updated interior and physical steering wheel controls rather than …
5 Mar 2026
The Audi RS3 Competition is a £92k goodbye to Ingolstadt’s five-cylinder
Audi RS3 Competition
News

The Audi RS3 Competition is a £92k goodbye to Ingolstadt’s five-cylinder

Audi marks the end of the line for the RS3 and its five-cylinder engine with an ultra-limited special, and we don’t use that phrase lightly… 
10 Mar 2026