The Audi A7 is a 4-door coupe based on the A6 chassis and made to compete with the likes of the Mercedes CLS and the BMW 6-Series Grand Coupe. The A7 is designed for people who want a comfortable and practical sedan but also want something a bit more interesting and eye-catching. So, is Audi A7 a good car?
The Audi A7 is indeed a really good car because it offers quite a few benefits and little to no drawbacks. For starters, the A7 engine palette is great, the car looks great, it drives really well, it is relatively reliable and practical, and older A7 models now represent quite a good value on the 2nd hand market. It may be a bit too large for some people and performance enthusiasts might deem it a bit boring.
However, the purpose of the A7 was never to be compact or sporty because Audi offers many models that fit this gap, particularly the Audi A5 Sportback which is also a 4-door coupe, but a much smaller one. The A7 is primarily designed for long-distance cruising and it’s hard to argue that the A7 does not do that without any issues.
As such, the A7 is a good car because it combines all the benefits you get from an A6 sedan with a more stylish coupe exterior. It may not have as much headspace in the back seats, but it does make up for it with a larger and more practical hatchback trunk.
Audi A7 – The powertrain
The A7 is available with a few gasoline and quite a few diesel options. The most common A7 gasoline engines are the 3.0 TFSI V6 engines with around 300hp-350hp, but Audi also offers the A7 with a smaller 4-cylinder 2.0L TFSI engine that offers up to 250hp. The S7 comes with a 3.0L V6 with 444hp while the range-topping RS7 gets a 4.0L turbocharged V8 with 603hp.
Diesel engines kick off with the well-known 3.0L TDI 6-cylinder engine that pushes out between 204hp and 355hp in the S7 diesel model. Audi also incorporates mild-hybrid technology in most of their A7 engines these days in order to improve the car’s efficiency. The A7 comes with either an S-Tronic DSG gearbox or an 8-speed Tiptronic for high torque models.
Entry-level A7 models are front-wheel-drive while higher-end models come with Audi’s iconic Quattro AWD system which is available as an option on all A7 variants. Diesel A7 models are by far the most efficient ones boasting up to 55MPG while gasoline engines can do 35MPG.
Audi A7 – Design and chassis
When it comes to design, the A7 is highly regarded as one of, if not the best-looking Audi sedan there is. The A7 is based on the A6 platform but is a lot sleeker thanks to a wider stance, and a sloping coupe roofline. The car also gets frameless doors which is a necessity for any coupe these days. The interior of the A7 is virtually the same as in the A6 which means that it is a really pleasant place to be.
The suspension and chassis tuning of the A7 is tailored almost exclusively towards comfort, except for the RS7 which does feel a lot more dynamic. Either way, all A7 models are soft, cushiony, and really comfortable.
Audi A7 – Reliability and common issues
The A7 is more or less as reliable as the A6 is which means that it can be reliable and dependable, but only if you maintain it well enough. These cars are complex and come with all sorts of features to both keep you safe and keep you entertained.
The most common Audi A7 issues are related to the engine, the transmission, oil leaks/consumption, the differential, and potentially non-engine electronics.
Audi A7 – Value and practicality
The A7 costs quite a bit more money than the A6, but it does come with certain features that you can only get as optional equipment on the A6. If you love the way the A7 looks and you think that the A6 can’t match the A7 when it comes to styling, then it makes sense to consider an A7 over the A6.
Practicality-wise, the A7 lacks a bit of headspace in the back seats when compared to the A6 due to its sloping roofline, but it does make up for it with a hatchback trunk which increases the overall trunk space and accessibility quite a bit.
FAQ Section
Does it make sense to upgrade to the Audi A7 from the Audi A6?
It depends on what you value the most. The reality is that you really aren’t getting anything else besides the styling if you go for the A7 over the A6. Sure, the A7 gets a more practical trunk, but that does not make a whole lot of difference because the A6’s trunk is already large enough and you are rarely going to lack space.
Where the A7 could potentially be a dealbreaker is due to its sloping roofline and the available headroom in the back seats. That is why the A7 is not a common chauffeur car while the A6 is. All in all, if you really love the styling and you don’t mind the back seat compromise, it makes sense to upgrade to the A7.
Is the Audi A7 expensive to maintain?
The Audi A7 is indeed an expensive car to maintain, but all cars from this segment are. It comes with the territory as you can’t buy an advanced piece of technology without being constantly remembered about all the potential costs that come with it.
Even though the A7 does cost quite a bit to maintain, the differences between the Mercedes CLS and the BMW 6-Series are insignificant. Some sources state that the A7 could cost you around $8,000-$10,000 in maintenance costs over the first 10 years.
How long can an Audi A7 last?
The Audi A7 should be able to last at least 200,000-miles without needing major overhauls. However, these numbers only make sense if you maintain the car well enough. It is really difficult to predict how long a car can last, but if you do your best and keep the A7 in good condition, 200,000 miles or 10-15 years of use should be more or less guaranteed if the car is built well enough.
