Overview & Reviews

Following a trend established by other German manufacturers, the Audi A7 represents one of the most successful entrants into the coupe-styled luxury sedan segment. It sports the typical Audi face up front, but the A7 is lower and wider and has a radically sloped roof line to give it the sportier look of a fastback coupe. The A7's styling is unusual for sure, but chances are it will grow on you once you see it in person.

As expected, stirring performance and exquisite interior refinement are featured prominently. But the sloping rear hatchback's added style and cargo flexibility do come at the cost of some rear-seat comfort. The A7 is also priced significantly higher than the A6 sedan on which it is based, and that could give buyers some pause.

Current Audi A7
The Audi A7 is a four-door hatchback sedan that is based on the A6 sedan. It essentially comes in two trim levels: Premium Plus and Prestige. Under the sleek, coupelike styling is either a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 (3.0T) with 310 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque or a turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel V6 (TDI) that makes 240 hp and 428 lb-ft. Either way, the transmission is an eight-speed automatic that sends power to all four wheels.

Standard feature highlights for the Premium Plus includes adjustable drive settings (Drive Select), a sunroof, parking sensors, keyless ignition and entry, tri-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated power seats, a rearview camera, a navigation system, built-in WiFi and a 10-speaker audio system with an iPod interface. The Prestige adds adaptive headlights, sportier exterior trim, a blind-spot warning system, a rear-end collision warning system, four-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable steering wheel and an upgraded 14-speaker Bose audio system. Optional highlights include a Sport package, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, LED headlights and a variety of electronic driving/safety aids.

As expected, the A7's large sloping rear hatch adds quite a bit of versatility in terms of cargo capacity, but it also reduces rear headroom. The interior itself lives up to Audi's reputation for first-class accommodations and excellent materials quality. The company's penchant for technological innovation is also present, with a slick interface that allows the driver to control and input information by tracing alpha-numeric characters on a touchpad.

Regardless of engine choice, acceleration is surprisingly quick for a car this size, but not at the expense of fuel economy. Audi's Drive Select allows drivers to choose among four distinct modes (Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual) to suit their particular tastes. Unlike the A8 sedan, the A7's suspension response is not altered by Drive Select. In our testing, we found the Audi A7's ride to be firm and a bit too lively with the available 20-inch tires, which offer minimal compliance from their narrow sidewalls. We'd suggest staying with the 18-inch tires if a comfortable ride quality is a priority for you.

Used Audi A7 Models
The Audi A7 debuted for the 2012 model year with the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 as the sole engine choice. As with the current A7, all-wheel drive was standard and an eight-speed automatic was the only available transmission. Although otherwise similar to today's A7, these older versions differed slightly in that they offered a base Premium trim, had a two-passenger rear compartment and lacked the availability of the TDI engine and built-in WiFi.

User Reviews:

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  excellent ride dissapointing reliability - 2015 Audi A7
  By Aurelian - February 9 - 2:31 am

  This is a spectacular looking car that feels great on the road however the leather seats started fading within few years only and MOST importantly as I just passed 100kmiles it started burning oil....of course any major repair is as much as paying for a monthly lease of a new car so I would not recommend you keeping it after the lease is up.....

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  Slick, Hot, Functionally Awesome - 2016 Audi A7
  By r levin - March 13 - 12:48 am

  love the car and edmonds blog tremendously helpful in negotiating the lease.

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  I never want to be without one! - 2016 Audi A7
  By Tom J - December 21 - 1:36 am

  This is my second A7, and the improvements in performance, reliability, style, and technology are significant. I chose this car above all German and Japanese equivalents, and it was no contest. Ease off the line and it rolls sedately forward. Crush the pedal and it pins you back in the seat, the engine giving a subtle growl that quickly becomes a roar. 70mph comes fast, as the steering, handling, and balance tighten. It is the best performing sedan Ive ever driven. Hit the gas out of the apex and it hunkers down and rockets out of the turn. The curve speed sign says 40mph? Try 70 and you will be fine. The interior is sumptuous, ergonomic, and classy without being fussy. The electronic systems are user-friendly but have layers and layers of functionality once you start exploring. In the snow, this car outperforms the most eager SUV. Speaking of SUVs, when you open the lift gate you have a storage cave that serves almost any cargo need. Every possible situation was contemplated with this car. This A7 feels like an extension of me--more so the longer I own it. And as with my 2012, the 2016 turns heads and solicits conversation wherever I go. I have the Mythos black with Nougat interior, and it couldnt be more compelling. The car exudes understated success and standing, and imbues the same upon its driver. My only fear is that one day Audi will stop making the A7. Its that good.