2015 Audi A7 Quick Spin Review

The 2015 Audi A7 has been refined even further for the new selling season, with the “Premium Plus” trim now the starting point for the roster and Audi’s blind-spot and lane-change technologies joining a long list of standard features, along with four-zone automatic climate control. In the up-level “Prestige” models, the 2015 Audi A7 welcomes a standard equipment like a head-up display, full LED headlights and the “S line” appearance package.

The A7 provides a more streamlined, coupe-like silhouette than its A6 sibling, while still showcasing Audi hallmarks like the “Singleframe” grille and an extensive application of exterior LED lighting. And while the cabin is certainly luxurious, courtesy of premium leather and wood accents, the key advantage here is the A7’s lift-back body style, which, combined with fold-down rear seats, also provides a surprisingly spacious and versatile cargo area.

A pair of 3.0-liter V6 powerplants are available for the 2015 Audi A7 lineup, including a supercharged gas-powered engine with direct injection and outputs of 310 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque. With that unit mated to an eight-speed, paddle-shifting Tiptronic automatic transmission, drivers will enjoy 0-60 sprint time of just 5.4 seconds while still achieving EPA grades of 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway/21 mpg combined. It’s also worth pointing out that this unit is multi-time member of the Ward’s 10 Best Engines list.

The TDI turbodiesel is a significantly greener choice, boasting the kind of fuel-efficiency ratings more often found attached to a mainstream compact: 24 mpg city/38 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. On the other hand, by leveraging the engine’s massive 428 lb.-ft. of torque, and the same transmission, the A7 TDI is just a tick behind the traditionally powered A7 with a 0-60 mark of 5.5 seconds.

Although the 2015 Audi A7 has not been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, it does offer a number of the most popular driver-assistance measures. Among them: the lane-change and blind-spot systems mentioned above, as well as front and rear sonar-enabled parking assistance, a rearview camera, plenty of airbags, automatic headlights and a special feature that automatically unlocks the vehicle’s doors in the case of an airbag deployment.

The MSRP of the 2015 Audi A7 starts at $65,900, and that covers voice-controllable navigation, the “MMI touch” control interface, “Audi connect” with a mobile wi-fi hotspot, Bluetooth for hands-free audio streaming and calling, and a 630-watt Bose surround-sound audio system, complete with 14 speakers and AudioPilot noise compensation technology. Complementing that range of equipment are lux touches like leather seating surfaces with heated front seats and driver’s-side memory, while the exterior is distinguished by details like heated windshield-washer nozzles and power-folding and heated exterior mirrors.

Moving up to the Prestige trim pushes pricing up to $69,750, but that new MSRP is matched by upgrades to seating (with a heat and ventilated front row and perforated leather surfaces at all positions), MMI touch (which adds handwriting recognition) and looks, thanks to ambient LED cabin lighting and the S line bundle that delivers a noticeably more sporty appearance.

And regardless of pricing, it’s actually pretty easy to get into an A7, since all models are fitted with both a powered liftgate and remote keyless entry (with pushbutton start, of course).

(Note: Autobytel expects to offer separate buying guides for the high-performance Audi S7 and RS 7 models.)