AudiA7

　　

2024 Audi A7 Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　With its sporty coupe profile, four doors and ample cargo space, the 2024 Audi A7 adds style and versatility to traditional sedan design. The A7 builds on the strengths of Audi's A6, one of our top-rated luxury sedans, with a sleek look and nearly double the cargo capacity. It comes with the same robust V6 engine, same lush cabin and tech features, and escalating luxuries, including heated rear seats and massaging front seats. The A7 sacrifices some headroom for its slick shape — about an inch less than the A6 — but it's a reasonable trade for the extra utility.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Audi A7 Premium 4dr Sedan AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$185/mo  for A7 Premium

　　A7 Premium

　　Premium 4dr Sedan AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $71,200 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr Sedan AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) - $75,950 MSRPPrestige 4dr Sedan AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 7AM) (Most Popular) - $79,750 MSRP

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Fashionable function

The A7 is based on the regular A6 sedan, along with wagon variants like the A6 Allroad and high-performance RS 6 Avant. The A7 combines a mix of the body styles, offering the practicality of four doors, the low-slung style of a sport sedan, and the cargo utility of a compact SUV. It's ideal for buyers who want more function without the look of a wagon or height of an SUV. Compared to the A6, the A7 is about an inch lower, wider and longer and offers an inch less headroom front and rear. But the open cabin and liftback design yields 24.9 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly as much as Audi's Q5 compact SUV.

　　

Competitors to consider

The A7 isn't the only coupe-style sedan, but the liftback design is rare. The Mercedes-Benz CLS was the first popular "coupe sedan" but its conventional trunk limited cargo space to 12 cubic feet, and Mercedes killed it for the 2024 model year. Another Benz, the pricier AMG GT, is a liftback but isn't much roomier. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is yet another coupe-style sedan and offers a 15.5-cubic-foot trunk. The Porsche Panamera liftback offers a roomy cargo area, but you pay dearly for it. Ironically, the recently discontinued Kia Stinger is an A7-inspired design, with similar power, style and utility for nearly half the price.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the A7 drive? Acceleration is strong. Our test A7 logged the 0-60 sprint in just 4.7 seconds. It also posted short emergency-stopping distances, though much of the credit went to our test car's optional summer performance tires. Fitted with the optional S Line sport package, the A7 handles surprisingly well. But there's quite a difference in steering feel across the driving modes — Comfort is almost too light, while Dynamic tends to feel needlessly heavy in some situations.

　　The power delivery when leaving a stop can be a little jerky, which is somewhat unrefined for a car of this class. Sport mode helps smooth out the delivery a bit and doesn't hang onto gears unnecessarily long. Upshifts are nearly imperceptible no matter which gear you're in or how much throttle you're giving it.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the A7? The A7 is a comfortable cruiser offering a smooth ride over a variety of surfaces. The base seats feel great but don't have as many adjustments as those in rivals. Massaging seats with more customization are available, but they are expensive. The climate control system works great.

　　While the engine is barely audible at highway speeds, there's more wind and road noise than we'd expect for this class. Ambient noises from outside the car seep in readily too. None of it is terribly distracting, however, and keeping the radio at even a low level will drown it all out. You'll always feel the aforementioned driveline shocks in first gear.

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