2021 Audi A7

Audi isn’t shy about making new and more interesting variants of its cars, even as much of the auto industry seems to be focusing only on the next crossover model. The A7 is an excellent example of this practice. Similar to the brand’s A6 sedan but featuring a steeply-raked backlight that functions as a hatchback, it’s a spicy alternative to the sedan formula. There are few direct alternatives apart from Mercedes-Benz’s CLS and BMW’s 8 Series Gran Coupe, neither of which are fastbacks with lots of cargo space.

The most notable change for the car in 2021 is the addition of the Audi S7 TSFI e plug-in hybrid powertrain. Rated for 362 total horsepower from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor, it offers up to 24 miles of electric-only range. It’s available on the mid-tier Premium Plus and top-tier Prestige trims.

The A7 comes standard with a turbocharged V6 engine rated at 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. In addition, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system seamlessly integrates with the engine to help alleviate turbo lag and provide plenty of juice for the stop-start function. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive is standard and a seven-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting duties. 

The $70,245 Audi A7 Premium comes standard with 20-inch wheels, full LED headlights, a power panoramic sunroof, navigation, high beam assist, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability. The $73,395 Premium Plus ($75,945 for the hybrid) adds adaptive cruise control, upgraded headlights, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a digital gauge cluster. The $79,395 Prestige model ($81,295 for the hybrid)  includes four-zone climate controls, a head-up display, traffic sign recognition and LED taillights. All prices include a $1045 destination fee. 

The A7’s powertrain, while far from the most powerful or engaging on the market today, is plenty capable of delivering an effortless driving experience. The mild-hybrid system assists the engine when start/stop is activated, and features such as climate control and audio functions remain uninterrupted when the engine shuts off. In motion, the system helps reduce turbo lag and makes acceleration more linear and smoother. The car’s automatic transmission pairs well with the engine. 

Standard all-wheel drive provides impressive traction in wet and slippery weather conditions, but it also provides solid cornering in everyday driving scenarios. Despite being a rather large car with a claimed 4,451-pound curb weight, the A7’s traditional spring suspension keeps body roll and lean in check and provides an excellent ride at the same time. The car’s steering is not highly communicative, but response and performance are predictable—both good things in a vehicle of this size. 

The high-performance S7 gets an adaptive air suspension, though we wouldn’t be surprised if it eventually became available on the standard A7. Speaking of which, the S7, which starts at $85,445, uses a 444-horsepower twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 capable of delivering zero-to-60 sprints in the mid-4-second range. Of course, the S7 brings numerous additional features along for the ride–a sport rear differential and an eight-speed transmission to replace the A7’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, to name just a few.

The interior is top-notch, as it should be in a car of the A7’s price and stature. Material quality and construction are all of a high standard throughout. Nearly everything a person can see or touch in the A7’s cabin, controls, seats, screens and surfaces, feels expensive. The front seats provide various adjustments making finding the ideal position easy, and a myriad of controls and screens are all within easy reach.

Back-seat passengers will find ample legroom, but the car’s sloping roof limits taller passengers’ headroom. The upside to that roof shape is the car’s hatchback, which opens to allow up to 24.9 cubic feet of cargo space, over 11 cubes more than the A6 sedan’s  13.7 cubic-foot trunk and the most capacious in the large luxury sedan class. 

Audi’s infotainment and tech are consistently at the cutting edge of what’s available, but the dual-touchscreen setup in the 2021 A7 can be confusing and distracting to use at times. The system features large, clearly labeled icons and haptic feedback when touch inputs are recognized, but with so much screen real estate, it can be trying to zero in on the function you are seeking. The standard audio system and included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto are both excellent additions and help overcome some of the confusion with a standardized smartphone-driven interface. 

The 2021 Audi A7 earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from IIHS. That score includes Good ratings in all crashworthiness categories, Acceptable ratings for headlights and Superior ratings for both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian crash prevention systems. Standard safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning; available via the options list or found on higher trims are blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane departure warning, a head-up display, night vision and lane keeping assistance. 

The Audi A7 is a solid premium vehicle with handsome style and logical but warm and quality-rich interior furnishings. Still, its $70,245 base price is nearly $10k more dear than the $60,845 ask of an Audi A6 sedan with the same powertrain; that’s a steep charge, even for such a seductive silhouette.