Test Audi A7 Sportback 50 TDI 286 CV Tiptronic

In a market clearly dominated by SUVs, someone at the Volkswagen Group had the brilliant idea, in 2010, to consider luxury sports sedans. This is where the car we had the opportunity to test comes in: the Audi A7 Sportback, a vehicle that, despite its distinctly sporty character, is actually a disguised Gran Turismo.

The purpose of the Audi A7, and therefore also the Panamera, although the latter has an even sportier character, is to rack up miles. This is something inherent in its DNA due to its dimensions and, for now, the engines it uses. After this brief introduction, let's get down to business.

Outside… stately and sporty

The second generation of Audi's luxury sports sedan has undergone significant changes compared to the model introduced in 2010. Now, the Audi A7 boasts much more modern, sporty, and aggressive lines—a logical evolution that follows the design language found in other models, such as the Audi A8 and A5.

Starting with the front , the grille takes center stage, and as with all models from the German automaker, it's the most prominent feature, the element that identifies them and sets them apart from other manufacturers. Within this grille, we find the Quattro logo, the all-wheel-drive system incorporated in the German sedan, as well as two sensors that will provide excellent driving assistance, but we'll discuss that later.

I would say that the headlights are the most striking element of the front end. They are mesmerizing and convey an aura of modernity and elegance , precisely what Audi wanted to project to both its customers and the general public. Three options are available: LED, LED with laser technology (€3.410), or the LED-Matrix (€2.065) fitted to our test vehicle. These offer excellent illumination and, thanks to light sensors, dim the area around oncoming traffic to avoid dazzling other drivers.

The side profile might give the impression that it's the least changed part of the vehicle , but in this second generation, like the rest of the car, it now features more pronounced lines, both along the lower section, with a crease running the length of both doors, and along the character line that originates at the headlights and extends to the taillights. With this, Audi aims for a sportier and more aggressive look, and it has succeeded.

The rear, on the other hand, sits much lower than the previous generation , although it still incorporates the retractable spoiler. The taillights are connected by a strip of LEDs which, as I've already mentioned, enhance the A7's aggressive and sporty appearance. Furthermore, these lights create an animation in their Laser LED and Matrix LED options, reminiscent of " Knight Rider ." Unlike the first generation, the Audi A7 joins the trend of hidden exhausts, opting for chrome-plated faux outlets.

In conclusion, the Audi A7 has gained a much more modern, sporty, aggressive, and luxurious look . The work done by the German brand's designers is excellent, and this is evident every time the Ingolstadt sedan hits the road, becoming a real head-turner.

Inside… am I riding in an Audi A8?

The Audi A8 is considered the A7's big brother, and for good reason . The luxury sedan boasts larger dimensions, but if there's one area where their kinship is clear, besides the engines and platform used, it's in the interior design, as both models have minimal differences.

The interior of the Audi A7 combines the modern and minimalist design shown on the exterior , full of touch screens and enough buttons to configure everything necessary, as well as bright and metallic surfaces along with top-level qualities.

Starting with the digital instrument cluster , called the Virtual Cockpit , it displays everything you need for the journey, organizing the information into four sections: range and all trip-related data, multimedia, phone contacts, and navigation. Thanks to the latter, the complete map is displayed in the perfect position so you don't have to take your eyes off the road. Without a doubt, I consider the Virtual Cockpit an essential addition to this type of vehicle.

Moving on to the steering wheel, the one included in our test vehicle is the standard model. It features four spokes, paddle shifters for the Tiptronic transmission , and all the necessary buttons to control the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment system. Leather-wrapped and electrically adjustable, Audi's innovative design enhances the interior's modern look. Optional sportier steering wheels are available, with prices ranging from €140 to €375.

Right at the driver's eye level, we find the Head-Up Display system , which shows relevant journey information such as navigation, speed limits, whether certain driver assistance systems are active, and, of course, the current speed. While I did miss the engine speed display, which would be very useful in sport mode, it's quite convenient and an optional feature I recommend.

The dashboard is divided into two sections . The lower section is finished in leather with white stitching and houses the air vents on either side of the cabin. The lower section is made of high-quality plastics that, in our test vehicle, had a feel similar to polished aluminum. The build quality is excellent, and we didn't hear any unusual creaks or rattles.

The center console displays something that, while not entirely new to the Ingolstadt-based firm, as the new Audi A8 also incorporates it, is nonetheless surprising at first glance. It features two fully touch-sensitive screens for controlling various aspects of the infotainment and climate control systems . The upper panel, which displays information in five sections—home menu, radio, multimedia, phone, and navigation—allows you to adjust everything related to the MMI Navigation system. The lower panel, in addition to serving as a keyboard in some cases—for example, to enter an address—also lets you select the temperature in both zones, choose your desired massage function, configure various parameters such as seat width and length, seat ventilation and heating, or even deploy the retractable spoiler—this last action is addictive and will make you feel like Batman himself driving his Batmobile.

Continuing along the center console, we find the gear selector, which maintains the same design found in most Audi models, at least the higher-end ones. In true fighter jet style, we can select reverse, neutral, and drive by pressing a button located on the left side, while there's a dedicated button for parking. Very convenient. Just to the right of the selector, we find a small compartment with two cupholders and the perfect space to store the key to our A7.

Finally, regarding the interior, the front seat armrest is length-adjustable , and inside it hides slots for a SIM card, an SD card, and two USB ports, as well as a tray that will serve to wirelessly charge our phone.

It's better to be sitting in front than behind

Habitability is probably not one of the essential elements that a potential user of the new Audi A7 will think about, and while the front seats have more than enough space, things are very different in the rear seats.

A Gran Turismo, by definition, is a four-seater vehicle with an imposing engine in the front and a long wheelbase . The Audi A7 meets all these specifications; its wheelbase is almost 3 meters (2.93 meters), and this, combined with its 4,96-meter length, makes legroom more than sufficient in both the front and rear seats. The same cannot be said for headroom.

The front seats , as in all vehicles, offer more legroom and every possible comfort compared to the rear seats. These seats are electrically adjustable not only for height and reach, but also for length and width of the seat cushion. Furthermore, they feature a massage function that can be controlled directly from the lower touchscreen. This allows you to adjust the seat to your proportions, providing excellent support on winding roads without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. Driving long distances with these amenities is a delight, believe me.

The rear seats , as I mentioned, don't offer the same level of luxury, but they do provide ample legroom. However, the same can't be said for headroom, as my head touched the roof fabric. Even worse is the middle seat, which is higher and firmer than the side seats, and also has the transmission tunnel for the Quattro all-wheel drive system. It's only suitable for very occasional use or for children.

Finally, regarding the trunk , the Audi A7, like the Volkswagen Arteon , impresses with its generous capacity, despite its sporty lines. The Ingolstadt sedan offers 535 liters of cargo space, less than the Arteon or the BMW 6 Series GT, but more than enough for four people to comfortably carry their personal luggage on any journey.

Engines and finishes

Currently, the Audi A7 is only available with one engine option , the 50 TDI, which is the one we were able to test. This engine is a 3-liter V6 diesel, known as the 3.0 TDI within the Volkswagen Group. It offers a maximum power of 286 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque, available from 3.000 to 4.000 rpm.

It transmits all its power through the renowned Quattro all-wheel drive system . It's coupled to an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission, with a clear focus on comfort over sportiness.

Motor	Configuration	Fuel Efficiency:	Power
Motor	Configuration	Fuel Efficiency:	Power
50 TDI	V6	Diesel	286 CV

All the power needed for day to day

The unit we tested featured the 3-liter V6 TDI diesel engine, which produces a maximum power of 286 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque . The Audi A7 is a vehicle focused on comfort with subtle sporty touches, and this engine is probably the best suited for this purpose, offering very good fuel economy for its displacement and power output, and good acceleration, thanks in part to its all-wheel drive.

However, one unexpected feature of this turbocharged engine was a 1-2 second delay when accelerating fully from a standstill or while moving —typical situations like pulling away from a stoplight or overtaking—which somewhat detracts from the engine's performance. Audi aimed for a smooth, seamless engine, and in these specific situations, this delay is a drawback.

If we focus on driving comfort, the 8-speed tiptronic gearbox performs superbly , making gear changes virtually nonexistent when driving in cruise control mode, and adding a sporty touch if we opt for this type of driving.

In general, the 50 TDI offers good performance for covering long distances, with very low fuel consumption for the segment to which the Audi A7 belongs, and bringing out all its horsepower when we decide on sporty driving, despite the strange behavior I mentioned earlier, which we can solve by manually reducing a speed if necessary.

Consumption

I was able to test the Audi A7 50 TDI for over 600 kilometers on all types of roads, and the average fuel consumption was 7,7 liters/100km . For a vehicle that weighs nearly 2 tons and has a V6 engine with almost 300 horsepower, this is a very reasonable figure, but it's even more surprising when, driving on highways, the consumption can drop to around 5 liters/100km. This is where we realize that the Audi A7 is designed for people who will be covering a large number of kilometers and, in addition, want to have all the comforts possible.

Version	urban consumption	Extra-urban consumption	Average consumption
Version	urban consumption	Extra-urban consumption	Average consumption
Audi A7 Sportback 50 TDI 286 HP Measured	9.5 l / 100 km	5.5 l / 100 km	7.7 l / 100 km
Audi A7 Sportback 50 TDI 286 CV Approved	6.2 l / 100 km	5.2 l / 100 km	5.6 l / 100 km

Riding modes: Versatility at the touch of a button

One of the things I like most about modern vehicles is their ability to adapt to any situation and be as efficient as possible in each one . The Volkswagen Group is one of the manufacturers that best utilizes this aspect with its driving modes, and Audi offers Drive Select, which allows you to adjust the powertrain, suspension, and steering to create a completely different driving experience. The available driving modes are:

Efficiency: Adjusts the Audi A7 automatically to reduce consumption as much as possible, offering behavior focused on fuel efficiency.
Comfort: The suspension and steering are softened, perfectly filtering out bumps in the ground.
Cars: It is the default mode. The vehicle adopts the most suitable setting for each occasion.
Dynamic: It is the sportiest mode. It sets the power delivery to deliver the most horsepower in the shortest amount of time, stiffens the suspension and steering, and also lowers ground clearance.
Individual: It will allow us to take full control of the vehicle and adjust the different parameters to our liking.

Although not included in the Audi drive select menu, there is also an off-road mode, which activates when the vehicle detects rough or unpaved terrain , increasing ground clearance to overcome obstacles. Obviously, this doesn't mean the Audi A7 is capable of serious off-roading, but it does make it easier to use when there's no better alternative.

Sporty…in its own way

We get behind the wheel of the Audi A7 and the first thing we notice is a feeling of comfort and tranquility on the highway, something we'd come to expect from a vehicle of this type. The German luxury coupe sedan is remarkably quiet at cruising speed , with noise only becoming noticeable above 3.500 rpm, which is typical for this kind of engine. Wind noise is also minimal, so it more than fulfills its intended purpose: devouring miles.

The test vehicle we drove featured air suspension with variable height and stiffness , which adjusts depending on the selected driving mode. In Comfort mode, the ride height is set to its default setting, usually in the middle, and the stiffness is reduced to effectively filter out road imperfections. Dynamic mode changes things considerably, lowering the ride height to its minimum and stiffening the suspension for a sportier feel, which is somewhat diminished by the engine's low-end torque. The Audi A7 follows the trend we've seen in other Volkswagen Group models: offering truly versatile vehicles, regardless of the environment.

The steering is direct, but also very light and doesn't provide the driver with complete feedback on road imperfections, even in the sportiest mode. Our test vehicle was equipped with Quattro all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering . This gives the German sedan improved stability, better grip in corners, and a tighter turning radius, resulting in agility typical of a compact car despite the Audi A7's nearly 5 meters in length. This makes driving in urban areas much easier.

I continue to discuss these types of situations, as navigating the streets of a large city in this kind of vehicle isn't usually something most drivers enjoy. Fortunately, visibility in the A7 is quite good, and the vehicle's length won't be an impediment , despite the lack of blind spot detection, something Audi could easily incorporate into this high-end model. Another feature our test vehicle lacked was automatic parking, an option that many people tend to become quite dependent on and that would help many perform the parking ritual without much trouble. Even so, the cameras, both front and rear, as well as the proximity sensors distributed throughout the vehicle, provide sufficient assistance for parking correctly.

Finishing up our discussion of the Audi A7's dynamic behavior, we arrive at the section with twisty curves, an environment not typically designed for this type of vehicle, but one that usually yields good results. Thanks to the power derived from the 3.0 TDI V6 and the finely tuned suspension and chassis, the A7 handles with astonishing agility on these roads, exhibiting only slight body roll, which is to be expected given its size . And it's here that we most appreciate the performance of the variable-ratio steering and rear-wheel steering, as the car turns in immediately, and the rear axle rounds the curve, making it child's play.

Conclusion

In general, the Audi A7 is a great car for racking up thousands of miles. But like everything, it's not perfect . As I've already mentioned, the rear seats leave something to be desired in terms of headroom, and in my opinion, although the lower touchscreen on the center console is fantastic and a great innovation, I think the rotary dials used in other Audi models to control the climate are easier for the driver to use. In terms of accessibility, a physical interface is much better than a touchscreen. And… that's it for the negative points.

The Audi A7 boasts one of the best designs, both exterior and interior, in its segment, offering the perfect blend of aggressiveness, modernity, luxury, and elegance— all in one car. Its lines are effortless, and the use of materials like polished aluminum in the interior underscores the futuristic feel of this sporty sedan.

Equipment

Currently there are no finishes as such, but a single version, the 50 TDI. This can be complemented with packages, both design and equipment, which will add more elements to the existing ones. Audi therefore offers the following packages: