2021 Audi A7

Overview

The 2021 Audi A7 blurs a beautiful line between sedan and hatchback with its sleek profile and refined nature. Its turbocharged V-6 powertrain and standard all-wheel drive provide quick acceleration and four-season traction. The Audi also treats passengers to a quiet cabin space that boasts cutting-edge technology and countless luxuries. While most of this content is found on the A6 sedan too, the A7's fastback profile and extra cargo space make it both more visually distinct and more practical. Like the A6, the fastback A7 offers sophisticated road manners and is capable of delighting drivers when the road ahead starts to spiral. The 2021 A7 has an unintuitive infotainment system and costs more than the A6, but otherwise, it’s a handsome machine that promotes Audi's high-class image and earns a spot on our Editors' Choice list.

What's New for 2021?

The big news for the 2021 A7 is the addition of a plug-in hybrid model. The hybrid powertrain consists of a turbocharged four-cylinder and an electric motor that together combine for 362 horsepower. Thanks to its 14.4-kWh battery pack, the A7 PHEV will be capable of electric-only motoring, but Audi hasn't yet released details on the car's range. Besides the new PHEV model, Audi has made the smallest of changes to the 2021 A7 lineup. A set of 20-inch wheels with all-season tires are now standard on the base model. Likewise, its optional Convenience package adds more content such as a top-view camera system. The mid-level Premium Plus now comes standard with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The top Prestige model gets a newly optional Sport package that includes 21-inch wheels on summer tires and the adaptive steel suspension.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The A7's standard powertrain is a turbocharged V-6 that makes 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. That power is delivered to Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive through a seven-speed automatic transmission. The A7's standard V-6 powertrain also uses a 48-volt hybrid-assist system that minimizes turbo lag and aids stop/start operation. During everyday driving, we appreciated the Audi's effortless quickness. Its sophisticated all-wheel-drive system provided excellent traction in wet and dry conditions. The automatic transmission intelligently reacted to both relaxed and energetic throttle inputs. If you're looking for something with electric-only driving capability, you'll need to upgrade to the new plug-in hybrid model, which makes 362 horsepower from its combination of a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and onboard electric motor. We haven't had the chance to test this model yet, but we've spent plenty of time with the standard V-6. Audi expertly blends luxury and agility on the A7. Its enthusiastic responses and ethereal ride quality immediately stood out while we were behind the wheel. Despite our test car's optional 21-inch wheels, the expected thuds from harsh impacts went virtually unnoticed. Its supple suspension was equally successful at limiting body motions and maximizing smoothness. The steering response was linear, with adjustable heft available in different drive modes, but it never communicated what the front wheels were doing. The two A7 models we tested had impressive stopping power, with emergency braking distances of 157 feet and 163 feet.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates the 2021 A7 with the six-cylinder engine will earn 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. These numbers closely align with rivals such as the BMW 540i xDrive (21 mpg city and 29 highway) and the Mercedes-Benz CLS450 4Matic (23 city and 30 highway). The plug-in-hybrid A7 has a combined rating of 29 mpg (5 mpg higher than the nonhybrid's combined estimate), and it has an electric-only range of 24 miles. The V-6-powered Audi we tested greatly exceeded its highway rating, earning an impressive 36 mpg on our 75-mph fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen. The CLS also returned 36 mpg during our highway test, but the Bimmer only achieved 31 mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The A7's interior has impeccable fit and finish and is highlighted by attractive materials and sturdy switchgear. Every cabin has ambient interior lighting, heated front seats, leather seating surfaces, a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, and more. However, they're controlled solely through the touchscreens, which is annoying. The A7 also provides a satisfying driving position that is complemented by excellent outward visibility. Rear-seat passengers receive climate controls, power points for charging devices, and even heated seats, which are all optional. While the back seat comfortably accommodates two adults, three full-size frames would be cramped. Underneath the A7's useful power-operated liftback, we fit seven carry-on bags behind its split-folding rear seat. The car also held 20 bags of luggage with the seats folded flat. Likewise, we managed to fit a golf bag and stroller in the cargo area. Unfortunately, the A7 has mediocre interior cubby space. The front door pockets are narrow, and the center console has a small bin.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

Every A7 features a dazzling infotainment system with dual touchscreens that seamlessly integrate into the dashboard and center console. The large icons are easy to locate and the haptic feedback is satisfying, but the setup is undeniably distracting because they often require the driver to take their eyes off the road. Standard content includes Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto integration and a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. Desirable options are two powerful Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems and wireless smartphone charging.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The A7 offers advanced driver-assistance equipment that includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology and night vision. For more information about the A7's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Audi provides warranty coverage that aligns with plans from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

More Features and Specs