Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The best five-cylinder cars depend on what you value: the Audi Quattro is the landmark for combining a turbocharged five-cylinder with permanent all-wheel drive, the Sport quattro is the rare homologation-era extreme, and the RS2 Avant brought 315 PS to a practical estate. For alternatives to Audi, consider the Volvo 850 T-5R, Fiat Coupe Turbo Plus, and Ford Focus RS/RS500; their appeal ranges from packaging and practicality to distinctive character.
There is no objective universal ranking. The comparison below weighs historical and motorsport impact, road-car performance, drivetrain and packaging, usability, and enthusiast appeal. Specifications can vary by model year and market, and road-car figures should not be confused with competition-car figures.
Best five-cylinder cars at a glance
| Car | Why it stands out | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Audi Quattro | Made the turbocharged five-cylinder and permanent all-wheel drive a defining road-and-rally combination. | Separate original road-car specifications from later rally versions. |
| Audi Sport quattro | A shorter, wider road car with a four-valve five-cylinder and a major competition lineage. | The 306 PS road model and 450 PS Group B competition car are different vehicles. |
| Audi RS2 Avant | A 315 PS five-cylinder in a practical estate, an early high-performance-wagon landmark. | Audi’s claim that it was the most powerful production station wagon at the time is a historical manufacturer claim. |
| Volvo 850 T-5R | A memorable performance-wagon identity built around Volvo’s transverse five-cylinder packaging. | Exact output and production-count claims need model-specific verification. |
| Fiat Coupe Turbo Plus | An Italian-designed front-wheel-drive coupe with a turbocharged five-cylinder. | Specifications vary by version and market. |
| Ford Focus RS/RS500 | Adapted Volvo-derived five-cylinder hardware to a front-wheel-drive hot hatch. | RS and RS500 specifications and availability differ by market. |
Why Audi’s five-cylinder history matters
Audi says its first five-cylinder appeared in the second-generation Audi 100 in 1976. The company had considered six-cylinder engines but judged that space constraints and weight distribution made that layout less suitable. The five-cylinder was derived from the Volkswagen Group EA 827 four-cylinder concept. In the Audi 100 5E, it displaced 2,144 cc and produced 100 kW (136 PS); deliveries began in March 1977, according to Audi’s historical account (Audi history and exhibition releases).
Audi’s timeline records a naturally aspirated five-cylinder diesel in 1978, followed by the turbocharged gasoline Audi 200 5T in 1979. The 1980 Audi Quattro brought together a turbocharged and intercooled five-cylinder with permanent all-wheel drive, producing 147 kW (200 PS) at launch. That combination—not the engine layout alone—is central to the Quattro’s historical importance.
#1 Best Overall
- Audi toy car for kids – LEGO Speed Champions Audi S1 e-tron quattro Race Car model for boys and girls aged 9+ to collect, build, display and play with
- 1 minifigure – The LEGO car includes a removable roof and a driver minifigure with a helmet, wig and a wrench for kids to place behind the wheel and play out action
- Authentic Audi design details – The Audi S1 e-tron quattro Race Car replica features a towering rear wing, deep rear diffuser, front splitter and interior details including an e-brake
- LEGO Audi display model – After kids have taken the Audi car toy for a drive, they can proudly display it on a shelf or bedside table
- Red toy car gift idea – Buildable car kit provides a fun build-and-play experience and is a car gift for kids aged 9+ or adult car-model collectors
Audi Quattro: the landmark road-and-rally car
The original Audi Quattro is the strongest pick for historical influence. Its turbocharged five-cylinder and permanent all-wheel drive offered a distinctive road-car package, while Audi’s rally program helped make the configuration famous. The car’s legacy rests on this combination and its competition impact, rather than on a claim that every later Audi performance car directly copies its engineering.
When comparing figures, use the original road-car output of 147 kW (200 PS) as the launch specification reported by Audi. Rally cars were competition machines with different specifications; their figures should not be presented as if they described the production coupe.
Audi Sport quattro: the rare homologation-era extreme
The 1983 roadgoing Sport quattro was shorter and wider than the regular Quattro and used a four-valve light-alloy five-cylinder. Audi gives its output as 225 kW (306 PS). Its competition counterpart is a separate story: Audi reports 450 PS for the Group B Sport quattro competition car at its introduction. Those road and race figures are not interchangeable.
For enthusiasts interested in rarity and the engineering extremes of the rally era, the Sport quattro is a compelling choice. It is not representative of an ordinary, practical ownership proposition, and its competition reputation should not obscure the distinction between the road car and its rally derivatives.
Audi RS2 Avant: five-cylinder performance with estate practicality
The 1994 RS2 Avant paired a 2.2-liter five-cylinder with an estate body and produced 232 kW (315 PS), according to Audi. It is a standout for buyers who value the combination of everyday practicality and unusually high performance for its period. Audi describes it as the most powerful production station wagon at the time; that is a historical manufacturer claim, not a current independent comparison.
The RS2 also helped establish Audi’s RS high-performance tradition. Its significance is not just its output: it demonstrated how a five-cylinder performance car could serve as a usable estate rather than a dedicated sports coupe.
Rank #2
- RC kit – The high-quality TAMIYA kit of the Audi 90 quattro Racing in scale 1:10 ensures many hours of building and driving fun thanks to its faithful body.
- Robust chassis - The extremely robust and beginner-friendly TT-02 chassis from TAMIYA has a 4WD all-wheel drive and fits perfectly with the Audi with its compact dimensions. The many tuning parts available separately make the remote controlled model a sporty racing car.
- Stylish design - Equipped with dish rims (+4 mm offset) and 26 mm racing slick tyres, this set ensures optimal grip and an aggressive racing design. In addition, high-quality attachments are included, including side mirrors, air intake and an aerodynamic rear wing, which enhance the vehicle visually and functionally. The following accessories are required: remote control with receiver, steering servo, 7.2V NiMH battery pack and the matching charger (500500091).
- Box contents: the kit includes the high-quality polycarbonate body, the 540 electric motor, an electronic speed controller and the detailed illustrated instructions (English language not guaranteed).
- First in Quality Around the World - This is the promise of the Japanese market leader in electronics and model vehicles. Each model undergoes a meticulous quality inspection. Since 1946.
Volvo 850 T-5R: a performance wagon with a transverse five
The Volvo 850 T-5R represents a different approach from Audi’s longitudinal, all-wheel-drive performance cars. Volvo’s heritage material identifies the 850’s transverse five-cylinder engine as one of the model’s notable features, while the car’s wagon identity made it a memorable performance alternative. The exact T-5R output and production volume are not included here because the available model-specific primary source could not be verified in the research.
For a broader survey of the Volvo 850 T-5R and other five-cylinder applications, see Car and Driver’s five-cylinder survey. Treat its detailed specifications as secondary reporting and check the relevant year and market before relying on a particular figure.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFiat Coupe Turbo Plus: Italian character in a front-wheel-drive coupe
The Fiat Coupe Turbo Plus brings a turbocharged five-cylinder to a front-wheel-drive coupe with an unmistakably Italian design identity. It broadens a list otherwise dominated by Audi’s rally history and Volvo’s wagons. Its strongest case is distinctive character and a different drivetrain approach, rather than a claim to match the Quattro’s competition influence.
Output and equipment vary by version and market, so a single figure can mislead. Car and Driver’s historical survey discusses the Coupe Turbo Plus and other Fiat five-cylinder applications (Car and Driver survey).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Ford Focus RS and RS500: the five-cylinder hot hatch
Ford’s Focus RS and RS500 show how Volvo-derived five-cylinder hardware reached a front-wheel-drive hot hatch. They make the shortlist for drivers who want a compact performance car with an engine configuration uncommon in its class. The RS and RS500 are distinct versions, and equipment, output, and availability depend on market; do not treat one version’s specification as universal.
Car and Driver’s survey provides secondary context on these Ford applications. Its historical overview is useful for identifying the lineage, but market-specific details should be checked against the particular model being discussed (Car and Driver survey).
Rank #3
- Hot Wheels Audi 90 Quattro (JBB20) Peak Pursuit Series 2/10 Short Card Edition
- Detailed Audi 90 Quattro model with race number 25
- Metallic silver finish with authentic racing stickers
- Officially licensed product of Audi AG
- 1:64 Scale - Ideal collectible for motorsport enthusiasts and Audi
How to choose among them
- Choose for history: start with the Audi Quattro, whose road-car package and rally story made it a defining five-cylinder car.
- Choose for rarity and competition lineage: consider the roadgoing Audi Sport quattro, while keeping its specification separate from the Group B car.
- Choose for practicality: compare the Audi RS2 Avant and Volvo 850 T-5R, both associated with performance-wagon appeal.
- Choose for a different driving format: look at the front-wheel-drive Fiat Coupe Turbo Plus or Ford Focus RS/RS500.
- Verify the exact version: check model year, market, and road or competition status before comparing output or equipment.
FAQ
What was Audi’s first five-cylinder car?
Audi says its first five-cylinder was fitted to the second-generation Audi 100 in 1976. The Audi 100 5E version displaced 2,144 cc and produced 100 kW (136 PS), with deliveries beginning in March 1977.
Why is the Audi Quattro considered so important?
It combined a turbocharged, intercooled five-cylinder with permanent all-wheel drive, then reinforced that road-car formula with rally success. Its significance comes from the complete drivetrain and competition story, not just the cylinder count.
How much power did the roadgoing Audi Sport quattro make?
Audi lists the 1983 roadgoing Sport quattro at 225 kW (306 PS). Audi separately reports 450 PS for the Group B competition car at its introduction; that is not the road-car figure.
Which five-cylinder cars were wagons?
The Audi RS2 Avant is a notable high-performance estate, while the Volvo 850 T-5R is remembered for its performance-wagon identity. Their specifications and histories differ, so compare the exact model and year.
Recommended Free Tools
Did Ford use a five-cylinder in the Focus RS?
Yes. The Focus RS and RS500 used Volvo-derived five-cylinder hardware. Specifications and availability varied, so distinguish the RS from the RS500 and check the relevant market.
Sources: Audi’s historical and exhibition releases support the Audi chronology and specifications; Volvo’s heritage material supports the 850 transverse-engine point; Car and Driver’s historical survey provides secondary context for Volvo, Fiat, and Ford applications. The comparison and category choices are editorial judgments, not a published cross-manufacturer ranking.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
