Used 2018 Audi S7

Those who proclaim Americans won’t buy hatchbacks have clearly never driven (or even seen) the stunning Audi A7 and Audi S7 for 2018. Practical side notwithstanding, the 2018 Audi A7– and its performance stablemates the S7 and RS 7 (reviewed separately) — deliver impressive levels of performance, styling, technology and desirability. The lineup is designed to thrill at different levels, meaning the “base” A7 offers copious luxury features with ample performance, while the S7 includes much of the A7’s technology while placing an emphasis on blistering speed and razor-sharp handling. Audi’s well-established quattro all-wheel drive is along for the ride, as is a brilliant suspension every bit the equal of cars like the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, Mercedes-Benz CLS and Porsche Panamera.

With its 340-horsepower supercharged V6 engine, even the least expensive 2018 Audi A7 delivers a stellar performance, darting from zero to 60 mph in just over five seconds. It’s one of our favorite drivetrains, generating ample power at nearly any speed and operating so smoothly we sometimes glanced at the tachometer to be certain the engine was still running. Moving up to the more aggressive S7 sacrifices some ride comfort and cabin quietness, but the trade-off is more than worth it. Audi’s 2018 S7 derives its power from a 450-horsepower V8, which can seem like overkill on paper, but never from behind the wheel. The S7 is a delightful performer, agile, quick and confident. Yet, behind all the power and performance figures for both the A7 and S7 is a truly remarkable luxury story, one wrapped in an elegant design, premium wood and leather, and supremely comfortable seating both front and rear.

There’s so much to like inside the Audi A7 it’s hard to know where to start. There are high-quality materials, like standard leather seating, with an upgrade to diamond-stitched higher-quality hides in S7 models. The A7 seats five, but the S7 seats four because of a pair of contoured rear seats instead of a 3-person bench. Thanks to the standard 8-way-power/4-way-lumbar adjustment and power-operated steering-wheel adjustment, it’s easy for drivers of various shapes and sizes to be comfortable. And, in a nod to practicality, the A7 is a hatchback, with plenty of cargo space.

Ever since its debut in 2012, the A7’s fastback shape has been a defining element. Sure, beauty is subjective, but most agree this is a fine-looking car from virtually any angle. Audi calls it a "sedan," but a rear power-operated hatch makes it a hatchback. It offers easy access to the cargo area with its 24.5 cubic feet of space. Models are visually distinguished through exterior styling, with the higher-performing S7 boasting its own front and rear bumper design, and the almighty RS 7 featuring a carbon-fiber splitter and diffusor. All models include a sunroof and electric rear spoiler.

INTERIOR REFINEMENT
One look inside the 2018 Audi A7 reveals fine leathers, sculpted dash and door panels, and an 8-inch display that electronically rises from the dash. Spend more time and you’ll discover obsessive minor details, such as the knurled dials for audio and climate controls.

GOOGLE NAVIGATION
Beyond the standard navigation found in the most basic cars these days, the A7 offers Google Earth and traffic, putting it on par with some of the best smartphone navigation apps. The system can even utilize Google Street View, providing life-like street and building details.

With a base price of about $70,000 and an Audi badge on the nose, you’d expect even the base A7 to come nicely equipped. With standard features like a supercharged V6 engine, 4-zone climate control, an interior awash in leather and wood, and heated 8-way-power front seats, you’d be right. Also standard on the 2018 A7 is navigation, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring (Audi calls it "side assist”), and a 10-speaker AM/FM/CD player with satellite and HD Radio with two USB ports. Also standard is Audi connect and Audi smartphone interface, both of which enhance your smartphone ownership experience.

There’s a long list of options for the Audi A7 lineup, not the least of which is choosing between the A7 and S7. Beyond that there are massaging front seats with ventilation, and an available fighter-jet-style head-up display that projects pertinent driver information onto the windshield. The Driver Assistance package adds active lane assist, adaptive cruise control, corner-view cameras and a host of other technology, including Audi pre sense plus, which applies the brakes to avoid or lessen the impact of a frontal collision. A new A7 Competition package adds more performance features for better handling.

Last year’s A7 Competition 3.0T supercharged V6 is now the standard powertrain in all A7 models, while the S7 continues to offer a potent 450-horsepower 4.0-liter V8. The 2018 Audi A7 comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and quattro all-wheel drive is also standard; the S7 comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. But don’t worry, none of these cars is a slouch, with even the "base" A7 scooting to 60 mph from a standstill in just over five seconds.

3.0-liter supercharged V6 (A7)
340 horsepower @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
325 lb-ft of torque @ 2,900-5,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/29 mpg

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (S7)
450 horsepower @ 5,500-6,400 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-5,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/27 mpg