2017 Audi A7 Pros vs Cons
Ten Reasons You May Like the 2017 Audi A7 – The Pros
1. All the Bells and Whistles Create Elite Infotainment
The new A7 takes everything you loved about Audi infotainment and expands on it. The 14-speaker Bose surround sound system is now standard. The car also includes all of the usual features like mobile Wi-Fi, smartphone integration and a touch screen control center.
2. The Beautiful Crafted Interior Literally Drops Jaws
The inside of the A7 looks great. Leather upholstery is accented with wooden paneling. Four separate climate zones combine with a heated, eight-way power seats to maximize comfort, and the vehicle has impressive space for a sedan. Having a few more inches of leg and shoulder room may not sound like much, but it makes the vehicle feel much more spacious than the competition..
3. A Ridiculous Amount of Engine Power Caters to Car Lovers
There are a number of engines available on the new A7. The standard is a 3.0L 330 horsepower supercharged V6. It scored 29 mpg on the highway from EPA testing. For those not easily impressed, a few upgrades are available. A 4.0L engine rocks eight cylinders and comes with power ranging from 450 to a whopping 605 horses. The larger engines sacrifice a little economy, but they still bring in just over 25 mpg on the highway.
4. Perfect Safety Scores Highlight Pristine Engineering
The A7 scored a perfect five stars on its collision safety testing. It has a sporty cage that is suited for safety despite the high speeds the car can achieve. It also responds admirably, successfully testing a 60 mph full stop in only 106 feet. This blows away the competition.
5. Enough Acceleration to Compete on the Track
Sure, the A7 has a big engine, but that’s nothing without the rest of a performance package. Geared towards enthusiasts, the A7 has a sweet suspension that handles smoothly when the vehicle's limits are tested. The acceleration is the big draw, with the standard engine managing a crispy 0 to 60 in just 3.9 seconds.
6. The Cool Exterior Has Been Tuned to Perfection
The A7 was not completely redesigned in 2017. Instead, it has been subtly tweaked to improve aerodynamics, efficiency and the aesthetic. It even better captures the sleek, sporty look that the series encapsulates. The little performance boosts take it over the top.
7. Sporty Performance Doesn’t Include Tiny Cargo Space
This is one of the major selling points of the A7. Plenty of sedans in its class can come close in performance and luxury, but every single one of them lacks in storage space. The A7’s hatchback trunk is the biggest among its competition, and having the convenience of useful storage in such a fun vehicle is almost too good to be true.
8. A Customized Trim for Every Need
Every car has its trims, but the A7 strikes an excellent balance. You can choose the Cold Weather Package to add heated rear seats, the sports package for an improved suspension and specialty 19-inch tires or the brand new Competition Prestige that includes upgraded engine options. Out of all the upgrades, the 19-inch tires scored the best in driving reviews, taking the smooth ride and control to a higher level.
9. The Driver Assistance Package Forages Ever Closer to Full Self Driving
The A7 scores great on safety tests without driver assistance. This just takes safety to greater heights. Corner view cameras extend vision farther than ever. Pre Sense offers automatic braking and prepares for imminent collisions by tightening seat belts and rolling up windows when danger is detected. Convenience is also part of the deal with adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams.
10. Drive Select Makes an Incredibly fun Car Even Better
Like its competitors, the A7 has adjustable drive settings that optimize performance in different settings or simply cater to driver preferences. Audi’s version has four modes: comfort, auto, dynamic and individual. Among the diverse options, most drivers are sure to find a style that fits their preference, be it fun, comfort or other.
Reasons You May Not Like the 2017 Audi A7 – The Cons
1. No Diesel Engine
Fans of the A7 will be sad to see that the diesel was discontinued. It was an excellent engine in the past, providing ample power with impressive economy. If you loved it or are a fan of diesel sedans, you have no choice but to look elsewhere. It may even be part of the reason the 2017 model saw such minimal changes.
2. Small Backseat
While legroom is competitive, the headroom in the back seat leaves something to be desired. This is tied to the hatchback design, and it slopes down too quickly, making it a poor choice for anyone who might frequent tall passengers. It’s particularly frustrating when the less expensive A6 has more headroom available, much less competitors.
3. Curb Weight
This really holds an otherwise near-perfect car back. The heavier design hurts efficiency, performance and handling. Despite the adjustable controls, you’ll feel the weight add a subtle sluggishness to the steering when you drive, and it very well could be a deal breaker for those who value driving experience over all else.
How it Stacks Up to the Competition
The top competitors for the A7 would be the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. The Mercedes-Benz and BMW are both worthy competitors, matching the A7 in luxury and style, but the A7 wins on a few important points. First, it costs a few thousand dollars less. For cars that aren’t offering any substantial upgrades, that’s a big deal. The A7 also edges out the competition in terms of engine power and acceleration. In fact, you have to look at hefty sports cars to find anything faster. Lastly, and it’s already been mentioned, the cargo space in the A7 is a step above the competition.
Conclusion
Overall, the A7 is a great car that lives up to expectations. The majority of changes are light and positive, with a few detractors like the rear seat headroom. Ultimately, fans of Audi will not be disappointed.
