LIKES
- Elegant body
- Pace-setting powertrain
- Supple ride and willing handling
- High-tech underpinnings
- Practical hatchback
DISLIKES
- All those screens can feel sterile
- 48-volt hybrid tech underutilized
- Limited rear-seat head room
- Wickedly expensive
BUYING TIP
- The 2020 A7 is a big car that drives like a smaller one with the optional Dynamic All-Wheel Steering package.
The 2020 Audi A7 is a desirable low-guilt luxury car with an added dose of practicality.
The 2020 Audi A7 strikes an enviable balance between luxury, performance, practicality, and style. Moreover, with its 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrain, the A7 is even somewhat frugal. It is the automotive equivalent of a German chocolate cake that’s made out of vegetables, albeit one procured from a pricey artisan bakery and not Safeway.
We score the 2020 A7 at a high 6.8 out of 10. Nobody said that the best is cheap, though.
The A7 pops into 2020, this design’s sophomore year, in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. The S7 is available in only the latter two trims.
Beneath its shapely body, which evolves its groundbreaking predecessor’s lines with sharper creases and brighter LED detailing, the A7 makes use of a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6. With 335 horsepower shuttled to all four wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the A7 provides brisk performance. Its air suspension includes adaptive dampers that smother road imperfections exceptionally well. Handling is confident, if not especially spirited. Opting for the available rear-wheel steering and active rear differential make the car sharper, though not more engaging.
The S7 subs in a more potent 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 that makes 444 hp. That power is sent through an 8-speed automatic to all four wheels and propels the car up to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. It's entertaining and engaging, and downright expensive: prices start at more than $84,000 and can reach six figures.
Inside, the A7 is loaded with screens in most configurations. Even the base Premium car has two screens on the center stack that absorb most climate, audio, and infotainment functions. The system requires considerable acclimation, though it’s relatively intuitive given the sheer volume of functions handled. A larger screen comes on Premium Plus models as well as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that can double as a glitzy display for the infotainment system.
Active safety features include standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection. Options include adaptive cruise control, active lane control, and advanced features that warn drivers and automatically brake the car if they detect cross traffic.
The A7 is a relatively low-guilt luxury car when it comes to fuel consumption, too. With an EPA combined rating of 24 mpg, the A7 is something of a fuel-sipper given its prodigious power.
Styling
The latest Audi A7 is gorgeous inside and out, but it’s easily mistaken for its predecessor.
Audi reworked its A7 last year, but it’ll take a keen eye to notice. We rate the latest version of the 2020 Audi A7 at 7 out of 10, with points granted above average for its interior and exterior.
The original A7’s profile mimicked the coupe-like Mercedes CLS with an added twist: a useful hatchback that increased storage space considerably. The latest car keeps that look intact, with new detailing and additional creases that don’t come off quite as elegant as those on the original A7.
The 2020 A7 is slightly longer than its predecessor, and it rides on a wheelbase stretched by half an inch. The car wears its extra mass well thanks in part to sharper lines and more pronounced creases. Larger air ducts in the front bumper aid in cooling and airflow around the vehicle, while the sharp character line helps define the side profile better.
The interior is less evocative, though its array is orderly given the amount of information conveyed by even the most basic A7’s myriad features. Two screens take over the center stack and console, and a third takes the place of conventional gauges. It’s overwhelming at first, and can seem cool even with the warm interior hues and various wood and metal interior trim options.
Performance
A potent V-6 and standard all-wheel drive ensure that the 2020 Audi A7 handles and accelerates exceptionally well.
The 2020 Audi A7 comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 underhood that doles 335 hp to all four wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for brisk acceleration. Paired with sticky tires and well-weighted steering, the car is a confident, capable handler, even if it’s short on sports car fun.
We rate the 2020 A7 at 7 out of 10 for its performance, with extra points for handling and acceleration. If rated separately, the hotter S7 would score higher.
The turbocharged V-6 in the A7 emits quite a rumble underhood as it vaults the car forward. The 7-speed gearbox’s paddle shifters fire off rapid gear changes, even if some rivals offer more cogs. A thick-rimmed steering wheel feels great in the driver’s hands, though actual steering feel is limited at best.
Standard all-wheel drive includes a rear-biased 40/60 torque split, though 80 percent of the power can go forward in slippery situations. Drivers in cold climates will want to consider winter tires, especially with the summer tires that can be included with option packages.
Underneath, the A7 makes use of an air suspension with adaptive dampers that gobble up rutted terrain while providing stable, flat handling. Even the optional 21-inch wheels with their low-profile tires don’t disturb the cabin over sharp bumps.
An optional all-wheel-steering system turns the rear wheels as much as 2.5 degrees and varies the steering ratio up front to slice as much as 3.6 feet off of the car’s turning radius. At higher speeds, the rear wheels can steer as much as 5 degrees opposite the fronts to deliver more confidence-inspiring handling.
The S7 goes further with a 444-hp 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 that sends power to all four wheels via an excellent 8-speed automatic. Audi says the S7 vaults to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and we believe them.
The car’s brakes deliver excellent stopping power with no noticeable fade on our winding road drives.
Comfort & Quality
The 2020 Audi A7 is a technological masterpiece inside, and it’s spacious as well.
With its hatchback shape, the 2020 Audi A7 is more useful than similar sedans, even if rear-seat head room suffers slightly. We rate the big five-door at 8 out of 10, granting it points for front-seat comfort as well as cargo utility and the luxurious fittings.
The power-adjustable front seats offer good support and a wide range of adjustment, and both heating and cooling functions are available. Rear-seat leg room is good, and the cushions are supportive, but the low roofline forces taller passengers to duck their heads.
Where the A7 really stands out is in its cargo utility. It won’t match a wagon, but the 18.9 cubic-foot trunk expands to more than 49 cubic feet with the rear seats folded forward. Forget the crossover or SUV.
Safety
The 2020 Audi A7 has done well in crash tests and can be had with plenty of advanced tech.
Though the NHTSA hasn’t tested the 2020 Audi A7 yet, early evaluations have been positive. It aced crash-testing performed by the IIHS, which gave it a Top Safety Pick award when equipped with headlights in the Premium trim levels. Until the feds weigh in, we give it a 7 for the TSP nod and for standard automatic emergency braking.
Every A7 leaves the factory fitted with automatic emergency braking that can stop for cyclists or pedestrians in urban areas as well as parking sensors, a crisp rearview camera, and a slew of airbags. Rear side-impact airbags are optional.
Optional are two dozen sensors that handle everything from self-parking to long-range radar to a surround-view camera system.
The IIHS calls the A7 a Top Safety Pick, but notes that even its best headlights—the automatic high-beam LEDs available on the Premium Plus trim—are just “Acceptable.” The optional HD Matrix lights with their advanced laser functions fitted to the range-topping Prestige provided “Poor” coverage in the insurance industry-funded agency’s evaluations.
Features
The 2020 Audi A7 delivers a luxurious driving experience, as it should for upward of $70,000.
The 2020 Audi A7 is an expensive mid-size luxury car, but generous equipment helps justify its hefty price of entry.
We score the car at 8 out of 10 for its good standard fare, its massive touchscreens, and its wide array of options.
The 2020 A7 is offered in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. Base cars, which cost $69,995, come with a pair of 8.6-inch touchscreens loaded with Audi’s infotainment software as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Advanced safety features, LED headlights, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a trio of USB inputs round out its standard features.
Topping the lineup is the Prestige, which costs around $77,500 and upsizes the alloy wheels to 20 inches and includes a head-up display, four-zone climate control, HD Matrix lights, and more.
The S7 is offered in Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels that cost at least $85,000. They're similarly equipped to the A7 (aside from performance hardware that we cover above) and the most expensive is just over six figures.
Audi’s warranty covers the A7 for four years or 50,000 miles, and includes the first maintenance trip and four years of roadside service.
Fuel Economy
The 2020 Audi A7 makes limited use of the mild-hybrid tech under its skin to aid fuel economy.
A high-tech 48-volt electrical system in the 2020 Audi A7 can run the car’s multiple screens and features with the gas engine turned off at stop lights, but it does little to aid fuel economy or performance while underway.
Still, the 2020 A7 is reasonably frugal given its impressive performance. The EPA rates the car at 22 mpg city, 29 highway, 24 combined, which is enough for a 4 out of 10 on our scale.
The S7 doesn't extract much of a penalty for its performance. The EPA rates it at 18/28/22 mpg.
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