Used 2022 Audi A7

The 2022 Audi A7 Sportback is a luxury midsize hatchback. It’s based on the A6 sedan, but has its own character. For example, its entry level version comes with a more powerful engine than the one in the equivalent A6. The level of standard equipment is higher. And the A7 offers a plug-in hybrid variant.

It’s probably the Sportback aspect, however, that might sway buyers toward a new A7. Simultaneously practical and arguably attractive, it’s also a departure from the traditional trunk.

Now in its second generation, the current A7 debuted in 2019. So there are plenty of driver assistance features on offer, and infotainment technology like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration is standard across the range.

Anything more powerful than the 335-horsepower V6 in the regular 2022 A7 is an extravagance. This turbocharged engine and a smartly calibrated suspension combine to create smooth driving and sensations that don’t force themselves on the driver, but are there in the background. All it takes is a shift in perception to tune into such sensations.

The sleek styling of the A7 isn’t just for show. It produces a wind-cheating 0.28 drag coefficient and barely any noise makes it as far as the cabin. The standard intelligent all-wheel-drive system performs a constant balancing act, delivering power to whichever wheels can make the most of it, while also working to keep fuel economy optimal.

On the subject of fuel economy, the plug-in hybrid version can travel solely on battery power for up to 24 miles. And the regular V6 model even has a mild hybrid setup to make engine restarts (after stopping at idle) as seamless as possible.

For those whose tastes run to the faster things in life, the S7’s 444 horsepower and sport suspension bring plenty of thrills that are still just about accessible on public roads. Or the RS 7 accelerates from standstill to 60 mph in a mere 3.5 seconds.

It can’t have been easy, making the 2022 A7 look ultra-modern, uncluttered and tech-rich, yet still exuding an air of indulgent luxury and creating a space where potential owners will want to be. But Audi has achieved it, in a seemingly effortless way. Which is a sure sign that the interior design team put in a lot of time and attention to detail.

Despite a more dramatic roof line than the A6 sedan, rear headroom doesn’t suffer that much. The A7 loses just an inch, along with nearly half an inch of rear legroom. There is still sufficient accommodation back there for adults of average size.

Anyone who’s good at those Spot the Difference cartoons might be able to tell the difference between the front of the A7 Sportback and its sister machine, the A6 sedan. Hint: it’s the extra creases on the hood. Around the sides and the back, of course, the sloping roof line and liftgate make far greater distinctions. Actually, the A7 and A6 share no body panels or glass areas.

Extra aerodynamic additions and a quad exhaust system differentiate the S7, which also rides a touch lower than the regular A7. The RS 7 has even larger air intakes. Both performance variants can come with red-painted brake calipers. Every model in the new A7 range is eligible for a Black Optic package.

VIRTUAL COCKPIT
Sometimes, what may have been a cool innovation a few years ago might seem run-of-the-mill by now. Not Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, the configurable digital driver information display taking the place of conventional dials. It also shows navigation information and high-definition images from Google Maps. Another plus is that learning how to use it is easy and quick.

HATCHBACK PRACTICALITY
Behind the rear seats of the regular A7 is 24.9 cubic feet of luggage space. Compare that with the 13.7 cubic feet of the A6’s trunk. Those seats will split and fold in 40/20/40 fashion, allowing plenty of versatility for carrying people and things. The aperture is also nice and wide.

This is a luxury car quite a way up the premium ladder, so standard equipment even in the most affordable 2022 A7 is plentiful. For example, it comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, leather upholstery, power-adjustable steering column, navigation, Wi-Fi, and a powered liftgate.

Extra features added this year are the latest version of the Virtual Cockpit 12.3-inch driver information display, a larger upper screen (of the dual-screen infotainment system) going from 8.8 to 10.1 inches, rear side airbags, and direct tire pressure monitoring (where each wheel has its own sensor).

We would have preferred to see more driver assistance features as standard. To acquire adaptive cruise control means going for Premium Plus trim.

A Convenience package for the Premium model adds wireless charging, phone signal boosting, heated steering wheel, top-view/360-degree camera system, and blind-spot monitoring. All these items are standard in the Premium Plus, which also adds adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist and Turn Assist, HD matrix-design LED headlights, and a 16-speaker/705-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system.

This trim offers an Executive package with quad-zone automatic climate control, heated/ventilated/12-way power-adjustable front seats, heated rear seats, and ambient LED cabin lighting.

The Prestige trim has all this as standard. It also comes with dual-pane glass, Intersection Assist, head-up display, and soft-closing doors. Prestige is offered with a Luxury package, bringing higher-quality leather and massaging front seats.

The S7 comes with slightly different inventories in its Premium Plus and Prestige trims. Such as a sport-tuned adaptive air suspension and 21-inch alloy wheels as standard, with blind-spot monitoring coming in the top trim. Among the options are rear-wheel steering and a sport rear differential.

The RS 7 is a one-trim model with most of the extras mentioned here, plus rear-wheel steering. However, most driver assistance features are in an optional bundle. This car is also eligible for night vision with large animal/pedestrian detection, massaging front seats, ceramic brake discs, and a raised top speed of 190 mph.

Just to make things not at all confusing, there are two drivetrains called 55 TFSI. Although, in fairness, one does have a lower-case “e” as a suffix. Let’s start with the straight-ahead 55 TSFI setup in the 2022 A7.

It has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 developing 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The next step is a 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission and — like every A7, S7 and RS 7 — all-wheel drive (known as quattro along the corridors of Audi) is standard.

The all-important “e” of the 55 TFSI e arrangement means a plug-in hybrid. Here, a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is joined by an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery to generate 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Again, the 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission is installed.

The 55 TSFI e has a maximum range of 24 miles in electric vehicle (EV) mode. Calculations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) give miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) figures. When those 24 miles are factored in, combined city/highway fuel economy is 68 MPGe. When the car operates as a regular hybrid, it’s 29 MPGe.

The S7 enjoys 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6. And the RS 7’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter develops a fearsome 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. These two cars have an 8-speed automatic transmission. Premium gasoline is recommended for every engine.

3.0-liter turbocharged V6 (55 TFSI)
335 horsepower @ 5,000 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,370-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/30 mpg

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4/electric motor (55 TFSI e)
362 total horsepower
369 lb-ft total torque
EPA combined fuel economy: 70 MPGe (gas & electric), 27 MPGe (gas)

2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (S7)
444 horsepower @ 5,900 rpm
443 lb-ft of torque @ 2,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/28 mpg

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (RS 7)
591 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm
590 lb-ft of torque @ 2,050 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22 mpg