Audi RS7 vs Aston Martin Vantage
Compare the Audi RS7 vs Aston Martin Vantage. The Audi RS7 is £15,900 cheaper. The Aston Martin Vantage is 0.0s quicker to 60mph. The Aston Martin Vantage is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
The Audi RS7 is priced from £105,000, powered by a 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8, producing 591 hp, with 800 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5s, a top speed of 190 mph, sent to the road via all-wheel drive. The Aston Martin Vantage is priced from £120,900, powered by a 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8, producing 503 hp, with 685 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5s, a top speed of 195 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive.
The Audi RS7 offers a 535-litre boot, folding rear seats, runs on petrol, returns around 24 mpg, is covered by a 3yr / unlimited mi warranty. The Aston Martin Vantage offers a 350-litre boot, runs on petrol, returns around 25mpg, is covered by a 3yr / unlimited mi warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Audi RS7 is £15,900 cheaper than its rival, the Aston Martin Vantage costs less in annual maintenance (£1,200 versus £900), the Aston Martin Vantage is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £90 for the Audi RS7 and £110 for the Aston Martin Vantage.
Driving Character: Audi RS7 vs Aston Martin Vantage
The RS7 occupies a unique space, marrying the brutal acceleration of a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 with the visual drama of a low-slung, sweeping Sportback. With 591 hp and the advanced Quattro system, it delivers devastating straight-line performance that feels relentless and almost telepathic. All-wheel steering is standard, giving this imposing car an agility that defies its substantial weight in the corners. It is a machine designed for covering vast distances at high speed with effortless ease, providing a level of poise that turns even the most demanding road into a manageable ribbon of asphalt.
The Vantage utilizes a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 to deliver a punchy 503 hp that defines its boisterous character. Its short wheelbase and wide track create a nimble, almost twitchy handling profile that demands constant input from the driver. The steering is direct, and the rear-wheel-drive architecture allows for significant adjustability through corners, though the traction control often intervenes aggressively in wet conditions to manage the 685 Nm of torque. It is a sports car that rewards experienced hands, trading absolute refinement for an engaging, visceral experience that feels decidedly more muscular than many of its rivals.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Aston Martin Vantage takes our 0-100 driving character grading, 75 against 84. Characteristic of the Audi RS7: Effortless, quattro-assured pace in a genuinely luxurious package. For the Aston Martin Vantage: Sharp, engaging chassis with a thunderous AMG-sourced V8. In outright terms it is 591 hp against 503 — a 88 hp gap — and the Aston Martin Vantage reaches 60 mph 0.0s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Audi RS7 vs Aston Martin Vantage
The interior is a high-luxury environment, mirroring the technical sophistication of the RS6 but packaged within a more dramatic, coupe-like frame. The Virtual Cockpit Plus provides clear, customisable readouts, while the cabin's materials—ranging from carbon fibre to Valcona leather—exude a premium, tactile quality. Because of the raked roofline, the rear cabin feels more intimate than in the Avant version, sacrificing headroom for a more sporting aesthetic. It is undeniably a driver’s cabin, where every control feels weighted, precise, and purposefully placed to enhance the feeling of being in something truly exclusive.
The interior is a focused, driver-centric environment, though the reliance on older-generation Mercedes-Benz switchgear is increasingly apparent against modern standards. The cabin is trimmed in high-quality Alcantara and leather, conveying a sense of purpose rather than pure opulence. The rotary infotainment controller is functional but lacks the slickness of current touchscreen interfaces. While the driving position is low and perfectly suited for spirited work, some materials in the lower dashboard areas lack the premium feel one might expect given the brand’s positioning. Practicality is limited, yet the space feels appropriate for a focused sports machine.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Audi RS7 takes our 0-100 interior & cabin grading, 88 against 80. Characteristic of the Audi RS7: Spacious, premium cabin with excellent tech and comfort. For the Aston Martin Vantage: Significantly improved cabin quality and tech over the outgoing car.
Daily Usability: Audi RS7 vs Aston Martin Vantage
While the RS7 is undoubtedly a performance vehicle, its Sportback design offers a practical twist. The 535L boot is more than sufficient for typical weekend trips, and the lift-back opening makes loading gear straightforward. Urban use requires awareness; its significant width and low stance mean care is needed in narrow parking structures, though the array of sensors and cameras makes it doable. In Comfort mode, the air suspension does a commendable job of masking road surface harshness, ensuring that urban traffic or motorway cruising is conducted with a sense of refined, whisper-quiet calm.
Daily usability is a mixed bag, with the Vantage excelling on open roads while requiring caution in urban settings. The front trunk provides a modest 325L of storage, which is surprisingly practical for short trips, provided one watches the low front splitter on kerbs and speed bumps. The ride is notably firm, especially in Sport mode, which can be fatiguing over longer distances on poor road surfaces. However, for a high-performance sports car, its compact dimensions make it relatively easy to place in traffic, provided the driver is mindful of the wide bodywork during parking.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Audi RS7 takes our 0-100 daily usability grading, 82 against 62. Characteristic of the Audi RS7: A genuine luxury daily driver with supercar-embarrassing pace. For the Aston Martin Vantage: More usable day-to-day than previous Vantage generations. that means 535 litres of boot space against 350, and everyday running costs that favour the Aston Martin Vantage at the pumps.
Ownership: Audi RS7 vs Aston Martin Vantage
As a flagship performance model, the RS7 commands a premium in terms of running costs. Fuel consumption is consistent with a high-output V8, and the long-term maintenance requires a dedicated budget for tyres, brakes, and scheduled service checks. Audi’s dealer network ensures that this level of care is easily accessible, and the car's desirable styling keeps residual values firm amongst performance-oriented buyers. It is a car that demands a commitment to its upkeep, but in exchange, it offers an ownership experience defined by style, speed, and the confidence that comes with a top-tier automotive engineering product.
The ownership proposition of the Vantage has improved significantly, with an expanding dealer network that makes servicing more accessible than in previous years. Maintenance costs are relatively modest at £900 annually, though turbo-related upkeep can add up as the car ages. The Vantage badge retains considerable brand cachet, which keeps residual values strong in the competitive sports car market. It remains a popular choice for those who want a blend of heritage, performance, and day-to-day usability without the extreme costs associated with the ultra-luxury, low-volume models in the Aston Martin stable.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Audi RS7 takes our 0-100 ownership grading, 75 against 58. Characteristic of the Audi RS7: Strong owner-reported reliability (4.7/5 per KBB after 50k miles). For the Aston Martin Vantage: Entry-level Aston with a strong enthusiast following. On the wallet the two diverge at £105,000 versus £120,900 — a £15,900 difference, with annual maintenance of £1,200 against £900.