Ultimate Family Hauler: Audi RS 6 Avant performance vs RS Q8
Comfort, Ergonomics, & Storage Capacity
RS Q8 front seats
Inside, both the RS Q8 and RS 6 Avant are similar. Dual touchscreens for HVAC and infotainment controls. Digital gauge cluster. Available heated, ventilated, and massaging front bucket seats. Optional Alcantara touch surfaces. Custom interior lightning. Killer sound systems with pop-up speakers. Everything you could imagine. The only thing fancier, from Audi at least, is the S8.
But how is it all laid out? How comfortable are they? And how much family and/or stuff can you haul? Let’s take a look at how each breaks down in terms of interior packaging —
2024 RS 6 Avant performance quattro
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Head room, front (in): 38.3
- Head room, rear (in): 39.5
- Leg room, front (in): 41.3
- Leg room, rear (in): 37.4
- Shoulder room, front (in): 57.8
- Shoulder room, rear (in): 56.5
- Cargo storage (seats up): 30 cubic feet
- Cargo storage (seats down): 59.3 cubic feet
2023 RS Q8 quattro
- Seating Capacity: 5
- Head room, front (in): 37.1
- Head room, rear (in): 38.1
- Leg room, front (in): 41.6
- Leg room, rear (in): 40.6
- Shoulder room, front (in): 59.5
- Shoulder room, rear (in): 58.5
- Cargo storage (seats up): 30.5 cubic feet
- Cargo storage (seats down): 60.7 cubic feet
On paper, the RS 6 Avant and RS Q8 are pretty close. The station wagon offers more headroom (perhaps due to the lower seating position?). And the SUV takes the win in every other category, including leg room, shoulder room, and overall volumetric storage. Simply put, the SUV has a slightly larger cabin which gives the passengers and cargo a little more flexibility and room. Plus, SUVs tend to offer better driver visibility (in a world where everyone is also driving tall SUVs and trucks) along with more room for tall objects like bicycles. And the RS Q8’s rear sound system speakers are really well placed creating a lovely concert hall or surround sound sensation.
RS 6 Avant front seats (2022 model year)
Overall, while I personally prefer the seating position in the wagon, and neither Audi offers as much room as a full-sized American SUV, the RS Q8 takes the win here. Especially for customers who need every cubic inch of extra volume.
RS Q8: 7 out of 10
RS 6 Avant: 6 out of 10
Intro
Performance
Driving Dynamics
Style
Comfort & Ergonomics
And the winner is…
