Select a year
- Highs Sleek stying, excellent driving dynamics, elegant interior.
- Lows Only room for four, compromised rear-seat headroom, considerably pricier than the S6 sedan.
- Verdict The S7 delivers a heady combination of performance, ride and handling, style, and a luxurious cabin—at a price.
Overview
The mid-size sedan segment has been disrupted by new, sexy-looking premium entries in the form of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-class and BMW 6 series. Not to be left behind, Audi in the 2012 model year brought its stylish A7 to the U.S. and followed up for 2013 with the S7 sports sedan. The S7 shares mechanicals with the S6 sedan, but with a sleeker, coupe-style four-door hatchback body and frameless door glass. The S7 is about 100 pounds heavier, and its front and rear tracks also are a bit wider, but underneath the sheetmetal, the S7 and S6 are virtually the same. The only choice to make is whether you want a more conservative, upright, roomy sedan in the S6, or the style-forward standout that is the S7.
What's New for 2017?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity have been added as standard equipment on the 2017 S7. Red front and rear brake calipers are now available, and a new audio system option is Bose Surround Sound.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- Premium Plus: $80,850
- Prestige: $83,850
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The S7’s sole engine is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 rated at 420 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, with fuel-efficient cylinder cut-off technology. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle-shifters distributes the engine’s power to all four wheels via Quattro all-wheel-drive. The S7 suffers some throttle lag, typical of dual-clutch transmissions, but we clocked an impressive 4.3-seconds 0-60 mph time and 152 mph top speed for the car. The Audi’s Drive Select system gives the driver control over steering effort, throttle response, transmission shift speed, and shock firmness, while the optional rear sport differential mitigates understeer and oversteer in the corners. The S7’s chassis achieves a nice balance of ride and all-weather handling, able to glide over road imperfections without feeling “floaty,” while maintaining a fun factor on curvy canyon roads.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The S7’s interior design is similar to the S6 model’s, with supple, tufted-leather sport seats, highly bolstered in front, that look like something out of fellow Volkswagen Group brand Bentley. While the S7 has the same 114.7-inch wheelbase as the S6, it is a four-seat model only, with a rear center console, while the sedan version seats five. The S7 also gives up a bit of headroom, legroom and shoulder-room front and back versus the S6, because of the four-door coupe’s rakish roofline. Most notably, the S7 loses 1.2-inches in rear seat headroom, 0.4 inches in rear legroom, and 0.4 inches in rear-seat shoulder space. Front-seat measurements are much closer. Because the S7 is a hatchback, cargo space is 24.5 cubic feet, 10.4 cubic feet greater than the sedan’s trunk.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The S7 features Audi’s updated MMI touchpad interface with an 8.0-inch retractable screen, and the latest MIB-2 modular infotainment platform. This offers fast performance and high resolution on a platform that allows owners to upgrade regularly. Standard features include navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi, two USB ports, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system with satellite radio. Options include a 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
For more information about the Audi S7’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every — CPO program.
