2026 Audi RS5 PHEV Review: Electrified V6 Performance

Here’s a sentence I never thought I’d say without spitting my pint: a plug-in hybrid Audi RS might actually be the enthusiast’s choice. The 2026 Audi RS5 PHEV doesn’t just survive electrification, it weaponizes it, delivering torque like a sledgehammer while keeping the V6 soundtrack alive and kicking. If you’re worried this is another soulless compliance car, relax—this one still wants to set its rear tires on fire.

Why does this matter right now? Because the performance sedan is on life support, strangled by SUVs and crossovers, and Audi just shoved a defibrillator into its chest. The 2026 Audi RS5 PHEV lands at a moment when BMW’s M division is flirting with electrification, Mercedes-AMG is downsizing engines like it’s on a diet, and Lexus is still pretending hybrids are only for calm people. This car is Audi shouting, “We can go green without going beige.”

I’ve driven dozens of fast sedans—from the BMW M3 Competition to the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio—and most hybrids suck the joy out of the experience. This one doesn’t, and that’s why the 2026 Audi RS5 PHEV deserves your attention if you still care about steering feel, throttle response, and engines with actual character.

Design & First Impressions

Audi didn’t reinvent the RS5’s look, and frankly, thank goodness. The wide haunches, frameless doors, and those signature RS oval exhaust tips remain, because messing with that would be automotive vandalism. The only real tells are subtle PHEV badges and aero tweaks that look like they actually went through a wind tunnel instead of a focus group.

Park it next to a BMW M4, Mercedes-AMG C63, or Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and the Audi still looks like the grown-up in the room. Hot take: the RS5’s restrained aggression will age better than BMW’s buck-tooth grille, and I’ll die on that hill. It’s the kind of design that doesn’t scream for attention but absolutely knows it’s faster than you.

Interior & Tech

Inside, it’s classic Audi: impeccable materials, logical layout, and zero gimmicky nonsense. The RS sports seats hug harder than your overly emotional gym buddy, and the flat-bottom steering wheel still feels like it belongs in a DTM car. Unlike some rivals, Audi hasn’t replaced every physical button with a touchscreen tantrum.

The digital gauge cluster now integrates hybrid data without turning into a PowerPoint presentation. You can see battery usage, regen levels, and power flow, but it never distracts from driving, which is more than I can say for some Mercedes systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and yes, the Bang & Olufsen system still slaps.

Driving Experience: V6 Soul, Electric Punch

This is where the 2026 Audi RS5 PHEV earns its badge. The electric motor fills turbo lag so completely that throttle response feels sharper than a YouTuber’s hot take. Around town, it’ll waft silently in EV mode, but bury your right foot and the V6 lights up with a snarl that reminds you this is still an RS car.

Quattro all-wheel drive means 590-ish horsepower actually reaches the ground instead of turning into tire smoke and regret. 0–60 mph in about 3.2 seconds puts it right in BMW M3 Competition xDrive territory and embarrasses the old gas-only RS5. Chris Harris would appreciate how neutral it feels on turn-in, and Doug DeMuro would lose his mind over how seamlessly the hybrid system works.

Ride, Handling, and the Weight Question

Yes, it’s heavier than the outgoing RS5, and no, that doesn’t ruin it. Audi’s adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering (optional) mask the extra mass better than most drivers will ever notice. On a twisty road, it feels planted and confidence-inspiring, not numb or floaty.

Here’s the controversial bit: I think this hybrid RS5 is more usable and enjoyable on real roads than a track-focused Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. There, I said it. Unless you live at a racetrack, the Audi’s balance of grip, comfort, and instant torque makes it the better daily weapon.

Fuel Economy & Running Costs

Plug it in regularly and you could do your weekday commute without burning a drop of fuel. Audi claims around 35 miles of electric range, which means most owners will see triple-digit MPGe numbers if they’re diligent. For official efficiency data, keep an eye on FuelEconomy.gov once EPA ratings are finalized.

Running costs won’t be cheap—this is still an RS car with expensive tires and premium servicing—but it’s undeniably thriftier than a pure ICE rival. Compared to a BMW M3 or Lexus IS 500, you’ll spend less on fuel if you actually use the plug. Ignore the charging port and you’re just carrying around a very expensive battery backpack.

Practicality: Still a Proper Sedan

Four doors, usable rear seats, and a decent trunk make this a real-world performance car. The battery does eat into cargo space slightly, but it’s still more practical than a Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe or any two-door sports car. Child seats fit, golf clubs fit, and your chiropractor won’t get rich from your daily commute.

Audi’s driver assistance tech is excellent, with adaptive cruise and lane assist that don’t feel like they’re trying to kill you. For safety credibility, check the latest ratings on NHTSA.gov once testing is complete.

Value vs Competitors

Starting around $92,000, the 2026 Audi RS5 PHEV isn’t cheap, but context matters. A BMW M3 Competition xDrive starts in the mid-$80Ks before options, the Mercedes-AMG C63 hybrid is flirting with six figures, and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is aging like unrefrigerated milk. Suddenly, the Audi looks like a smart buy.

If you want a taste of luxury hybrid done right, look at our 2026 Bentley Continental GT S Hybrid Review to see how Audi’s tech scales up the food chain. And if you’re wondering why brands are doing this now, our breakdown on why EVs are outselling gas in Europe explains the bigger picture.

Living With the 2026 Audi RS5 PHEV

This is the rare performance car that won’t punish you for daily use. Cold starts are quieter, traffic is less annoying, and when the road opens up, it still feels like a proper RS. It’s proof that hybrids don’t have to be dull, just like the Mercedes CLE Extreme shows electrification can still be dramatic.

Hot take to end this section: if you’re still whining that “hybrids kill driving,” you haven’t driven one like this. The 2026 Audi RS5 PHEV doesn’t replace the fun—it amplifies it, then lets you sneak home late at night in EV silence.

The 2026 Audi RS5 PHEV is the rare hybrid that doesn’t apologize for existing. It’s fast, clever, and still emotionally engaging, proving Audi can electrify performance without neutering it. If this is the future of the RS badge, I’ll happily plug in—and order another round.