What's New
Modest tweaks to Audi’s 2022-model A7 include larger wheels and an improved specification on entry-level Premium models, which now have fully digital instrumentation and a bigger upper touchscreen. Otherwise, it’s business as usual for a range including plug-in hybrid and separate performance versions.
Choosing Your Audi A7
The A7 range has multiple strands, with the high-performance RS7 standing apart from the standard and hybrid models in their A7 and S7 guises. These start at $70,245 for the A7 55TFSI (all prices including destination), with the plug-in hybrid a $1,550 upgrade on Premium Plus but $2,900 more on flagship Prestige.
Similarly, upgrading to S7 in either Premium Plus or Prestige trim will cost you varying sums; S7 models start from $85,645 and $91,545 respectively. The RS7 will set you back a cool $119,545.
Engine Choices
There are several powerplants across the A7 range, but the standard engine is a three-liter six-cylinder gas unit generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This is supplied to all four wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission, returning an EPA-estimated 21 miles per gallon city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 combined. The plug-in hybrid matches this torque figure but increases its horsepower to 362 and its economy to 70 MPGe combined.
The S7 has a smaller 2.9-liter engine, tuned to produce 444 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque via an eight-speed transmission. Fuel economy drops to 18/28/22 mpg city/highway/combined, though this still beats the 15/22/17 mpg of the RS7, whose four-liter eight-cylinder engine generates 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. This is also the only engine in the A7 range which isn’t either a full or mild hybrid.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined) |
3.0 six-cylinder | 335 hp | 369 lb-ft | 21/30/24 mpg |
3.0 Plug-in Hybrid | 362 hp | 369 lb-ft | 70 MPGe combined |
2.9 six-cylinder | 444 hp | 443 lb-ft | 18/28/22 mpg |
4.0 eight-cylinder | 591 hp | 590 lb-ft | 15/22/17 mpg |
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
Cargo capacity for the five-seater A7 stands at 24.9 cu ft with the rear seats in place.
Safety Features
Every A7 features an array of airbags including knee bags and rear-passenger side airbags, alongside cruise control, though Premium Plus and above get adaptive cruise which can propel the car along in traffic jams. LED lights are standard across the range alongside high beam assist, parking assistance, collision mitigation technology, and lane-departure warnings.
Disappointingly, you’ll need Prestige trim to get traffic sign recognition, and a Prestige S7 to benefit from rear cross-traffic assist with vehicle exit warning systems.
Connectivity
As you’d expect on a premium sedan, every A7 receives navigation, controlled through a 10.1-inch infotainment system display. There’s a smartphone interface with a trial subscription to online services, and Audi’s virtual cockpit displays key information behind the steering wheel. Premium Plus models benefit from a top-view camera system and wireless charging, but only Prestige gets a head-up display.
A7 Premium – MSRP From $70,245
Available exclusively with the three-liter mild hybrid engine, Premium models ride on 20-inch wheels with a retractable rear spoiler. Occupants benefit from heat-insulating side and rear windows, a power tailgate, and a powered panoramic sunroof. Three-zone climate cools a cabin with leather and ambient LED lighting, natural wood inlays, and heated front seats.
The only package available is the $1,500 Convenience Pack, which adds a heated steering wheel with shift paddles, a top-view camera system, side assist with pre-sense radar, and wireless phone charging alongside signal boosting.
A7 Premium Plus – MSRP From $75,395
Premium Plus’s main points of difference lie in the cabin. Full leather comes as standard along with shift paddles on the steering wheel and a Bang & Olufsen stereo. A top-view camera system makes parking maneuvers much easier, while S7 models upgrade to 21-inch S-design wheels ahead of adaptive air suspension. They also receive a four-zone climate, carbon inlays, and Valcona leather seats with contrast diamond stitching.
The $1,750 Executive Package on A7 models is a curious amalgam of four-zone climate, ventilated and power-lumbar front seats, ambient cabin lighting, and heated rear seats. This pack costs $1,000 more on plug-in hybrid models, despite only adding active lane assistance.
S7 buyers have a completely different set of options, including the $2,400 Executive Package which includes adaptive cruise with traffic jam assistance and the use of leather across the dash, armrests, and center console. The $4,000 S Sport pack combines red brake calipers and a sport rear diff with a black-tipped quad exhaust and all-wheel steering.
A7 Prestige – MSRP From $79,395
The first A7 fitted with double-glazed side windows and heated rear seats as standard, Prestige further distinguishes itself with a four-zone climate, multicolor ambient cabin lighting, ventilated front seats, and heated rear outboard seats. A head-up display with traffic sign recognition is standard, while S7 models further benefit from laser-light headlights, 21-inch wheels, adaptive air suspension, and the same Valcona seats as S7 Premium Plus.
For $2,750, the Luxury pack adds Valcona and Milano leather across the seats, dash, armrests, and center console, while the front seats gain massaging and the passenger seat receives memory settings. Hybrid buyers have to pay an extra $100 for the same package.
Again, S7 options are separate, with night vision priced at $2,500 and a 19-speaker 1,820-watt Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system costing an eye-watering $4,900.
Unlike lesser models with their 130 mph top speed limiter, the RS7 will pull all the way to 155 mph. Numerous styling differences include chrome-tipped exhausts, matte styling details, and door blades. The RS rides on adaptive air suspension with all-wheel steering, while the cabin receives illuminated aluminum RS door sills and Valcona perforated honeycomb leather with RS embossing.
There are 15 different packages available on the RS7, including various design packs and the Prestige packages listed above. The $2,500 Executive pack differs from the Premium Plus version, including heated rear seats and a head-up display, power soft-closing doors, and extended leather throughout the cabin. You can have individually contoured seats for $1,500, carbon exterior detailing for $6,650, and ceramic brakes starting at $8,500.
It’s deeply disappointing that only S7 Prestige models receive key safety features as rear cross-traffic assist, but it’s otherwise hard to see past the most affordable Prestige A7 as the pick of this range.