2024 Audi A7

There’s nothing else like an A7. Yes, there’s the smaller A5 Sportback or the bigger and pricier Porsche Panamera, which also forgoes a trunk in favor of a more versatile hatchback arrangement. But the A7 occupies its own corner of the midsize executive car class. Which it does with great flair, a pleasurable driving experience, nice tech, prestige, and surprising practicality.

This generation of A7, including its more powerful S7 and RS 7 derivations, has been around since 2019, so Audi has chosen this year to make a few changes. Not that much needed updating. The A7 is a superb example of Audi’s engineering expertise and distinct design talents.

Cosmetic updates are joined by new tech features. Remote start is now part of the Audi Connect app. A 6-month subscription to Audi Connect Plus is now standard across the lineup, offering various apps. Dual-pane front side windows are now optional in the mid-level Premium Plus. The RS 7 gains 30 more horsepower and a bump in torque of 37 lb-ft, plus new lighter wheels.

The competition comes from conventional sedans like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class (both new for 2024; the BMW starts at $58K, the Benz is in a similar ballpark), Audi A6 (from $57.3K), and Genesis G80 (kicking off in the low 50s). Or perhaps the smaller Audi A5 Sportback might be big enough, starting in the mid-40s.

Before buying a new A7, S7, or RS 7 luxury midsize car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. The A7’s resale values are quite strong for the class.

The regular 2024 A7 employs a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is standard. If we’re being rational, this is ideal — sufficient thrust to sprint from standstill to 60 mph in a brisk 5.2 seconds. No one really needs more.

Then again, rationality and luxury cars don’t always go together. We’re also big fans of virtually every Audi S variant, with their great packages of equipment and engine power. The twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 in the S7 brings 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque to the mix, which is just on the sane side of awesome, doing the 60-mph sprint in 4.2 seconds.

Don’t blink, because the upgraded-for-2024 RS 7 waves goodbye to sanity as it streaks to 60 mph in a breathtaking 3.3 seconds. This is made possible by the 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque emanating from a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. Audi also removed 17 pounds of sound insulation and fitted new lightweight 22-inch alloy wheels.

The A7 has a flowing, smooth ride quality that’s at once luxurious yet still able to keep its cool on hot dashes down curving roads. Road trips, city traffic… it’s all in the A7’s wheelhouse. The S7 is a little tauter, ramping up the fun yet not annoying the passengers. The RS 7 is much firmer — take it to a track and it will impress.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating the current collection of midsize luxury cars, including the A7.

Fuel Economy

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the A7 achieves 24 combined mpg (21 city, 30 highway). The S7 returns 22 combined mpg (19 city, 26 highway) and the RS 7 manages 17 combined mpg (14 city, 21 highway). All three engines require premium gasoline.

We love the shape of the A7 Sportback, even though the sloping roof shaves off a little rear passenger space compared with the A6 sedan. There’s still plenty of space for four average-sized adults — or a group of five that includes some smaller folks — and we think the cabin’s overall ambiance remains one of the classiest in any luxury vehicle.

The quality of the materials is exemplary, likewise the build, and the ergonomics are well thought-out. Granted, the dual-screen infotainment system takes a little practice, but the Virtual Cockpit digital driver’s display remains one of our favorite tech features in the A7.

Optional luxury touches include ventilated front seats (heated front seats are standard), massaging front seats, heated rear seats, quad-zone climate control, upgraded leather upholstery, and beautiful Bang & Olufsen audio systems.

Because the A7 is a hatchback with 40/20/40 split/folding rear seats, it offers greater versatility for carrying people and/or cargo than its A6 counterpart. Behind the rear seats is a luggage area of 24.9 cubic feet, far more than any trunk in the midsize sedan class.

It’s easy to see why the A7 still turns heads, despite having so much in common with its more conservative A6 sedan sibling. Its tapering roofline gives the impression that the car is in motion even when its parked.

Changes this year include new honeycomb grilles for the A7 and S7, plus some fresh alloy wheel designs. Red, white, blue, and brown paint finishes are also updated.

The rear liftgate is wonderfully practical, opening wide to reveal an extremely roomy trunk. The LED taillights run the full width of the A7’s rear, adding an extra element of design panache. Wheel sizes range from 20 to 22 inches in diameter.

Beefier wheels with red brake calipers peeking between the spokes mark the S7 and RS 7 cars as extra special. Each one rides on a slightly lower sport suspension and comes with a special exhaust system, while aerodynamic additions (including larger front air intakes) give this performance duo extra degrees of sophisticated sportiness.

All-wheel drive
All-wheel drive enables great grip in the dry, allowing the A7 to get its power down quickly and effectively. In rough weather, it adds confidence. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system is standard in the A7, S7, and RS 7.

Virtual Cockpit
No longer new technology, but Audi’s Virtual Cockpit still impresses with its clarity and ease of use. This digital driver information display has incredibly sharp graphics and, despite a wealth of information available, doesn’t require hours of practice to master.

Adaptive Cruise Assist
This feature combines adaptive cruise control with active lane centering and Traffic Jam Assist, doing a lot of the work during long freeway stretches. The driver must keep hold of the steering wheel and remain focused on the road ahead, but it’s still good to have. It becomes standard at the A7’s Premium Plus level.

Head-up display
Like the Virtual Cockpit, not cutting-edge tech, but we like to see crucial information projected onto the windshield so we can keep our eyes more focused on the road ahead. This is standard in the Prestige trim, optional in Premium Plus trim.

Bang & Olufsen audio
This 16-speaker/710-watt surround-sound system is always a pleasure to experience. Again, standard in the Prestige, optional in the Premium Plus version.

RS 7
Yes, it’s a niche model, but wow. This 621-horsepower machine can go up against rockets like a BMW M5 or AMG E 63 S, both of which had more than 600 horses in their last iterations (we’ll have to wait and see what their new generations might look like). The revised-for-2024 RS 7 augments its extra muscle with little changes, like matte gray or matte carbon exterior elements and a new blue-tinted carbon fiber trim accent for blue-painted cars.

The regular A7 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 developing 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The S7’s twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 makes 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. This year, the updated RS 7 Performance boosts its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 to generate a mighty 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. These two models employ 8-speed automatic transmissions. All-wheel drive (known as quattro along the streets of Audi Town) is standard throughout.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Audi’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties are for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is common coverage among European luxury automakers. Audi also includes four years of roadside assistance.

Safety Ratings

This generation of A7 has been awarded the Top Safety Pick+ accolade from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).