Audi S1 vs Audi RS7
What's the difference?

Audi S1

—

2015 price

View pricing & specs

Audi RS7

—

2020 price

View pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2015 Audi S1

2020 Audi RS7

By Peter Anderson

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Twin Turbo V8, 4.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

7.1L/100km (combined)

11.6L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Sensational engine
Quattro drivetrain
Great chassis

A V8 with 800Nm? Yes please
Hatchback practicality
Standard air suspension

Dislikes

Price
The interior is a bit dull
Stiff ride

Limited rear headroom
Rear legroom could be better
Cabin storage isn't great

2015 Audi S1 Summary

Spoilt. That's what we are. If you're in the market for a hot hatch, you can have your pick of German-built and French ones from as little as $27,000. There isn't a dud among them now that the VW Polo GTI has had a bit of an update and you can pick and choose your style. Audi's S1 is aiming to be king of the kids with its stiffly-priced S1.

Set the finances aside and consider for a moment what's on offer. As it turns out, a lot.

View full pricing & specs

2020 Audi RS7 Summary

If you’re looking for a sedan version of the RS 6 Avant, then you’ve come to the right place – sort of. See there is no RS 6 Sedan, but the RS 7 Sportback is the next best thing – you may even find it an even better thing because not only does it share RS 6 Avant’s outrageous engine and high-performance hardware, it’s also a sedan …but with a hatchback.

And if that kind of thing makes you happy, sit down – because the new generation RS 7 Sportback has just landed.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2015 Audi S1 2020 Audi RS7

Verdict

Cars this small shouldn't be this fast and useable at the same time, but the Audi S1 is. It isn't without its problems - the ride is harder even than the Fiesta ST which might weary some prospective buyers.

It's also a bit difficult to justify the price - in its basic form it's missing a few creature comforts that you'd expect in a $50,000 car - reversing camera, high-res screen, that sort of thing.

However, in the hot hatch world, those things don't matter. It has the bragging rights, the tech and the outright blinding speed to take on the bonkers Focus ST and equally zany Megane RS. And even the Audi S3.

Verdict

The new-generation RS 7 Sportback heralds the further evolution of this large majestic beast, with more features, a beautifully finished cabin and with more grunt with the looks to match. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better combination of power, dynamics and comfort in the Audi range – apart from in the RS 6 Avant of course.

Audi S1 vs Audi RS7 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi S1 vs Audi RS7
What's the difference?