Motor Trend's review of the Audi RS6 Avant praises the return of Audi's high-performance wagon to America. The RS6 Avant packs a 591-horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, enabling a claimed 3.5-second 0-60 mph sprint. Motor Trend highlights the RS6's dual personality: it can waft along in near-silent comfort as a practical family wagon, then transform into a fierce supercar hunter. The air suspension provides a compliant ride in comfort mode while maintaining impressive body control. The cargo area offers 30 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. Critics note the RS6's weight, which exceeds 4,800 pounds, is felt in aggressive driving, and the steering lacks the feedback of competitors like the BMW M5. However, the RS6's combination of performance, practicality, and understated presence makes it one of the most compelling vehicles in Audi's lineup.

MotorTrend's test of the RS 6 Avant is largely enthusiastic, calling it "the ultimate dad wagon" for its unique blend of station-wagon practicality and supercar performance. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produces 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, enabling a claimed 3.5-second 0–60 mph sprint. Editors lauded the standard air suspension and dynamic ride control, which allow the driver to switch between comfort and sport modes, and the rear-wheel steering that aids low-speed maneuverability. The cargo area—a feature no rival (BMW M5, Mercedes E63) offers—is highlighted as a genuine differentiator for families. Criticism centers on the brake-by-wire system, which MotorTrend found inconsistent in pedal feel, and the price, which at over $115,000 approaches supercar territory. The interior, with RS-specific sport seats and Alcantara trim, is praised for build quality. Fuel economy is poor (14 mpg observed), and the faint tire-noise under heavy throttle is noted. The final word: for those needing four doors, V8 power, and cargo space, the RS 6 Avant has no direct competitor and is a compelling, if expensive, purchase.