The Audi A7 is a stylish 4-door coupe based on the Audi A6 platform. The A7 differs from the A6 because it gets a sloping roofline, a set of frameless doors, and a sleeker design language overall. The insides of the A7 are the same as in the A6 which means that it is almost impossible to differentiate these two from the inside.
This means that they share most of their parts including the engine, the transmission, the entire drivetrain, and more or less all mechanical components underneath. The best Audi A7 model year is the 2017 model because it is the best-looking one, it offers the best value, it has high customer satisfaction rates, and is really reliable.
The current 2022 Audi A7 is the most advanced, most desirable, and most luxurious A7 money can buy. It may be the most expensive one as well, but it seems to be more reliable than the 2020 A7 that introduced the 2nd gen A7 in general.
Lastly, the 2012 Audi A7 is the one that more or less started it all. The car may have been revealed in 2011, but the 2011 model had quite a few issues that were resolved for the 2012 model. The 2012 model is also really reliable, but the reason why it is on this list is that it offers the best value out of all A7 models out there.
1. 2017 Audi A7
The 2017 Audi A7 is a post-facelift 1st generation of the A7 which means that it is the one many people deem to be the best-looking A7 of all time. I do tend to agree with that because I believe that the 1st gen post-facelift A7 is somehow cleaner-looking and more streamlined than the 2nd generation A7 which is a bit too over-styled.
As such, the 2017 model equipped with Matrix headlights, a nice set of wheels, and the exterior S-Line package is in my opinion the best-looking Audi sedan ever. It also helps that the 2017 model gets an incredibly high-quality interior that isn’t packed with a bunch of screens and is still reliant on good old clicky buttons.
Reliability also seems to be a strong suit of the 2017 model because this platform has been around since 2011 and Audi solved most of the issues before the 2017 model came out. Finally, the values of these 2017 models are really strong and it makes sense to buy them.
2. 2022 Audi A7
If you want the newest, the most exciting, and the most luxurious Audi A7 money can buy, the 2022 model is the one to go for. The 2022 model also seems to be a more reliable car when compared to the 2020/2019 model which introduced the new Audi A7 lineup.
The 2022 Audi A7 is the very top end of Audi’s mid-size sedan offering which means that these are typically well equipped straight from the factory. The new A7 is not a bad-looking car by any means, but many people deem it to be a downgrade compared to the 2017 model and I tend to agree with that.
However, a well-equipped 2022 A7 looks like a true spaceship inside and out, and the technology and features these come with are a far cry from those in the 2017 model. Performance is top-notch, engines are sophisticated, efficient, and really seamless.
3. 2012 Audi A7
The 2012 Audi A7 is the second year of the A7 which means that this is one of the earliest A7 models out there. The 2011 was not particularly loved by many owners due to various reliability concerns, but the 2012 seems to be considerably better. Moreover, the pre-facelift 1st gen A7 does not differ too much from the post-facelift A7 and many people aren’t going to be able to tell the difference.
Especially on the inside where these two are more or less identical. This means that you can get a 2012 Audi A7 that comes with more or less an identical interior to a 2018 model, but the price difference between these two is significant.
We equipped, lower mileage cars with Matrix LEDs, S-Line packages, and other high-end options are still nowhere near the price of a decently equipped 2017 model, let alone the 2022 model. As such, the 2012 Audi A7 is the value pick of the bunch because you are getting the most for your hard-earned money.
FAQ Section
Should I buy an Audi A7?
If you are interested in mid-size luxury sedans, you should most definitely consider buying the Audi A7 as it is one of the most interesting cars in that segment. It offers lots of space for up to four adults, a huge hatchback trunk, a great-looking exterior, and an interior that both looks amazing and offers all the functionality you’d expect from a premium sedan.
On the other hand, the A7 is a relatively large car and it may not have the best all-around visibility which could prove troublesome for many people, especially those living in tight city centers. Furthermore, these cars do cost quite a bit more money to maintain than most cars out there which is certainly something to keep in mind.
Which Audi A7 model is the best?
If you want a diesel A7, you should check out the 3.0L TDI Competition model with upwards of 300hp, but with impressive fuel efficiency. This car is perfect for long-distance cruising. If you want a seamless engine that can also do cruising really well, the S7 is the one to consider.
Lastly, if you want to go all out, the RS7 Sportback is the wildest and most exciting A7 out there. It gets a 4.0L V8 with between 500hp-600hp, Audi’s iconic Quattro AWD, launch control, and a bunch of performance goodies.
Is the Audi A7 better than the Mercedes CLS?
The Mercedes CLS was the car that invented this market niche as they were the first ones to offer four-door coupes with sloping rooflines. The newest CLS is an amazing car, and choosing between the A7 and the CLS is mostly down to brand preference.
However, we need to mention that the CLS does not come with a V8 engine because a V8 is strictly reserved for the more upscale GT 4-Door 63 AMG model.