2016 Audi A7

Ask Yourself: What Matters to Me?

2016 Audi A7 (Courtesy of Audi)

The 2016 Audi A7 has a completely overhauled exterior design. The tornado mid-body and dynamic lower lines support the graceful sloping roof lines, which defines the spirited profile, and together bring sense to the shape and light of the A7 in motion.

Although the inside is dazzling, I want to share a bit more about the elegant outside. Trapezoidal exhaust outlet and tastefully redesigned LED daytime running lights and taillights complement the rear and front bumper changes. Audi calls it, “A new language that everyone will be obsessed with learning.”

The sloping roof gives the A7 a coupe like impression, and the adaptive rear spoiler adds to the eye appeal. The full LED headlights are standard, helping ensure longevity and near perfect emulation of real daylight. All these outside good looks rest on 19-inch 7-twin-spoke Galvano Silver wheels wrapped in all-season tires.

Inside, the dashboard has a wrap-around curve that allows optimal functionality without lessening its aesthetic appeal.

That wraparound dashboard had a driver-centric layout, placing the driver front and center to command such innovations as the ultra-thin 8-inch MMI display, which rises from the top of the aluminum-optic air vent bezel. Less time is spent looking for controls, leaving more time to focus on the road.

Four-zone automatic climate control, available individual contour front seats with 18-way power control, and power rear tailgate with hands-free release and adjustable opening height continue the great menu of features.

My test Audi had the S line Sport and Individual Contour Seating packages. I actually would have preferred the standard ventilated seats, than the smaller, tightly fitted seats on this Audi package.

Inside, there is 24.5 cu ft of cargo capacity with seat backs upright, allowing for an abundance of hauling capacity.

You have a choice between a diesel and gasoline engine. My test engine was a 3.0 L TFSI V6 gasoline engine featuring FSI direct injection, belt-driven supercharger, and magnet clutch. This engine produces 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, and has an EPA mileage of 20 mpg city and 30 highway. I averaged 28 highway and 22 city.

The 8-speed Tiptronic transmission carried out its shifting duty with ease and smoothness through the gears. Audi A7 powers up quickly and quietly. It runs smoothly from the engine start to shut down, and passing other vehicles with crisp response and little effort.

Audi A7 is an expensive car starting at $68,300 for the Premium Plus, and there is no shortage of ways to move up. There is always the Prestige model to move up to, then there are several optional packages like Driver Assist package, S line Sport package, 20-inch Wheel package, and Cold Weather package. Ticking the options checkboxes can quickly bump the price up by $10,000.

The best package and the only one I would personally want was the Driver Assist package ($2,450). This package includes a Corner View camera system which gives nearly a 360-degree view around the vehicle. This helped greatly in parking by combining camera images from the front and rear of the vehicle.

The stand-alone Night Vision assist option ($2,500) is only available to the A7 Prestige, and it uses thermal imaging technology to help identify obstacles ahead, such as pedestrians or large animals. It can detect objects over 900 feet ahead. All is shown on the 7-inch color driver information system.

The engineers at Audi developed an aluminum hybrid construction for the A7. It is lightweight yet resilient, resulting in weight reduction without compromising structural strength.

There are eight standard and two optional airbags to provide excellent frontal and side impact protection for all occupants in the event of a collision. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) works together with ABS to maintain stability by applying brake pressure to individual wheels and reduce throttle as needed to help counter oversteering or understeering.

You have 11 exterior colors to choose from for the A7. Everything from Brilliant Black to Tornado Gray metallic. There are numerous interior colors and seat selections as well. My Audi had an Ibis White exterior and Nougat Brown interior.

This car was an absolute delight to drive. Only if the technology could be made a little simpler and less abundant, but most amenities were easy to locate and relatively easy to understand and operate.

Quite honestly, I enjoyed the look of folks and the smiles when they first saw the A7 and how impressed they were when they looked inside. They absolutely marveled at the quality and good looks of this automobile.

Warranty/Maintenance
4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty
1-year/5,000-mile First Scheduled Maintenance Service free of charge
12-year Limited Warranty against corrosion perforation
4-year Roadside Assistance

Durhl Caussey writes an automobile column read around the world. He may be reached at this paper or [email protected]