2019 or 2020 RS5 Sportback?

[npham]

I'm looking to lease a new car soon and was looking for some opinions on what I should do. There are quite a few incentives to move the remaining 2019 RS5 Sportbacks in Canada so the non refreshed model has caught my eye.

Should I take the discounts(~10,000 CAD), rate reductions for loyalty, Audi Care, etc. and pick up a 2019, or wait for the B9.5? Since the residual is so low on a 4 year lease on the 2019 (36%), the lease payment should be close to the 2020 without those incentives I think. Styling (for me) is slightly better in the B9.5 and the infotainment is 100 percent better than the outgoing one. We have a B9 Allroad already, so part of me feels like getting another car with a similar interior seems like such a waste. However, if the lease payment isn't close, then I probably wouldn't do the 2020 based on cost and settle with the 2019.

What would you guys do?

[303 Spartan]

Unless I'm mistaken, there is no 2020 RS5. So if you don't act now, while there are still 2019's to be had, you'll have a long wait until the 2021 models arrive.

[npham]

I thought the refreshed model would be out sometime in 2020, hence why they are clearing them out with big corporate incentives.

[303 Spartan]

Jesus, it didn't occur to me that it's already August...

I suppose it is entirely possible that we could see the refreshed 2021 models within the next few months. But I don't follow Audi's new model release schedule well enough to say for certain.

However, for what it's worth, Audi has been offering those big incentives to get the 2019 RS5s off dealer lots since back in November/December.



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[npham]

That's good to know about the incentives. I really wasn't in the market for a new car but the Velar I'm driving right now is boring as hell - I need something more fun.

I'll confirm on Monday when they expect the refreshed model in. There doesn't seem to be any 2020 RS5's available in Canada. Only 2019's for some reason. Not sure what happened, but I'll call the sales manager I'm working with on Monday.

[303 Spartan]

Sorry if my comment wasn't clear. Audi didn't make a 2020 RS5. So it's either a 2019 or wait for the 2021 models to arrive.

Personally, I'd check with the dealer to see if they have an ETA on 2021 models. Though, I'm sure they'll say whatever they have to to convince you to take the 2019 off their hands.

Assuming the 2021 comes out within the next 4-5 months, I'd probably wait it out. The refresh looks great, in my opinion. But that's going to depend on your tastes.

In the end, it really boils down to whether or not the refresh looks good enough for you to wait and pay more, or get the current model now and save a good chunk of cash.

[JohnEnglish]

Well, there's a 2020 RS5 in Europe, just not in North America. Audi said the updated RS5 would arrive in North America "later on in 2020".

[wwhan]

The new 2021 MY RS5 in North America will get The MMI touch screen, which is one of the reasons I bought a 2019 and did not wait.

[activeseven]

The new 2021 MY RS5 in North America will get The MMI touch screen, which is one of the reasons I bought a 2019 and did not wait.

This. I did the same thing. Ran out and purchased a 2019 once I saw the incoming changes to the next model year.

[theroidee]

I have an S5. I was between a 2019 and 2020. The deals on the ‘19 and financing terms were too good to pass up. I do like the grille of the 2020 better but if ever want to change it, I’ll still have a lot left over from the savings.

As for the MMI, I came from two Cadillac CTS VSports with piano black finish and touch screen CUE. The fingerprints were maddening so it was time for a change. I actually find the bigger screen of the ‘20 too big and more distracting.


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[npham]

I guess comes down to a numbers game, and figure out what makes sense. But I know I need the dealership to move quite a bit more before the 2019 to make sense. I guess since it's a lease, I don't care as much for resale, but then the residual is completely shit.

[theroidee]

I guess comes down to a numbers game, and figure out what makes sense. But I know I need the dealership to move quite a bit more before the 2019 to make sense. I guess since it's a lease, I don't care as much for resale, but then the residual is completely shit.

I usually lease but the purchase option made much more financial sense. Maybe you should considering financing?


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[303 Spartan]

I usually lease but the purchase option made much more financial sense. Maybe you should considering financing?


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I usually finance but went into the RS5 planning to lease, since I've been on a recent trend of only keeping my cars for 3 years and trading them in, anyway.

However, like you said, I quickly discovered that leasing this car made little sense. It ended up being just $50/month more to finance it with the same down payment. Even the finance rep I was working with admitted that leasing the car made no logical sense.

In the end I'm happy I went finance, especially because I got hit by that pesky mod bug.

Granted, the OP may be getting a better lease option than what I was offered.

[npham]

I'm not opposed to financing the car either, I would likely mod if I 0leased or owned the car as well. I might only do a JB4, exhaust, etc. on a lease though.

But what other cars did you guys cross shop? The new GLC63S (non coupe) looks great, and with a lowering module, makes it look like wagon rather than an SUV.

[303 Spartan]

When I was shopping early this year my options were extremely limited because I was reluctantly looking for something to replace my F80 M3 that would..

1) have AWD
2) have a little more storage room for the new baby.
3) be as aggressive in styling and power as the M3 (subjectively, of course)

For me the RS5 was the clear stand out, above everything else.

That GLC 63S looks good but being an SUV, it wouldn't even be a consideration for me. My wife already has the SUV and I saw no need for two.

[npham]

I'm in a similar boat as you then. I need AWD for the winter, 4 doors for the dog and baby (8 months), and something more fun to drive than the Velar.

The GLC 63 is more of a wagon than SUV imo. They call it an SUV to get the general population to buy them, but it drives incredibly well and sits lower than the GLC's. Check out these photos, I think it looks awesome...plus V8 TT AMG goodness

GLC 63S with lowering module

[penguiNET]

The new 2021 MY RS5 in North America will get The MMI touch screen, which is one of the reasons I bought a 2019 and did not wait.

^^^^^^^^^^ This right here!

[sjuhawks19]

^^^^^^^^^^ This right here!

Another agree on this point. Once I saw the new one would have a touchscreen, I moved quickly on a 2019 while there was still decent stock out there and found the one I wanted. The new ones look really good, although I don't know that they look better except for maybe the headlights and taillights. But the touchscreen was a no-go for me, the scroll wheel is much less distracting.

[303 Spartan]

Check out these photos, I think it looks awesome...plus V8 TT AMG goodness

GLC 63S with lowering module

Definitely personal opinion.... But to me, something about the overall shape just looks odd. Specifically the rear end. It just kind of abruptly 'stops'. Like the last 1-2 feet were just hacked off.

[Uncle Buck]

I just picked up a '19 Nardo Gray coupe and one of the reasons was the '21 touch screen. The other was the fantastic deals on the '19's.

[nefkntym]

Another agree on this point. Once I saw the new one would have a touchscreen, I moved quickly on a 2019 while there was still decent stock out there and found the one I wanted. The new ones look really good, although I don't know that they look better except for maybe the headlights and taillights. But the touchscreen was a no-go for me, the scroll wheel is much less distracting.

I was a little reserved about the touch screen, but I had a 2020 A5 Sportback loaner a week ago while Audi was doing tint on my RS5. The touch screen isn't that bad, I actually started to get used to it.

What was a really reservation for me on the RS5 refresh is the hockey stick dash, the 4K soft rev limiter, and any extra detuning, emissions and exhaust quieting for compliance (back to soft rev limiter) that Audi might have snuck in. The weird looking rear diffuser hasn't grown on my either.