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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 4.0L 8-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 15 / 22 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,800 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 507 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $113,659–$142,478 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Audi RS 7 is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 9.4/10, while Value at 5.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.1/10 for reliability, this sedan trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 9.4/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sedans to actually drive. On technology it rates 9.1/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $113,659–$142,478, 16 MPG, seating 5, the Audi RS 7 sits in the luxury tier of the sedan market. The value score of 5.5/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2021 Audi RS 7 will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on reliability and value if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Audi RS 7 ranks #585 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 55% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $113,659 starting price is about 311% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the RS 7 model years we've scored, the 2021 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $128,647 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $128,647 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.6/10 | $124,900 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.5/10 | $121,153 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $117,406 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $113,659 | |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $109,912 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / instrument cluster/panel 31/03/2025 · 25V201000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 SQ8, A6 SEDAN, A7, A8, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S6 SEDAN, S7, S8, A6 Allroad, and SQ7 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. |
|---|---|
| Back over prevention / sensing system / camera 19/12/2025 · 25V900000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2021 Audi RS 7's reliability 6.1/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #585 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 55% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 Audi RS 7 starts at $113,659 and ranges up to $142,478 across trims (MSRP when new). At 16 MPG, expect roughly $3,281/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.