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| 2012 Audi A7 |
The A7's refined styling conceals a huge, practical cargo space. Its go-fast looks are complemented by a powerful and fuel-efficient engine and transmission. The interior of the car I tested combined the old-style appeal of leather and wood with bleeding-edge technology like a nav system with Google Earth satellite photos, a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and the best voice-control system I've experienced in any European luxury car.
The A7 is essentially the flagship of the model line for Audi's new A6 midsize sport sedan, which goes on sale this summer. The A7 competes with all-wheel drive sport sedans like the BMW 535i xDrive, Cadillac CTS4, Lexus GS 350 AWD and Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic. Despite a couple of minor ergonomic flaws, it ranks with BMW at the top of the class.
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| 2012 Audi A7 |
The A7 should singlehandedly eliminate the widespread prejudice against hatchbacks.
Its classy looks and accommodating interior make it one of the most attractive and practical sporty luxury cars on the road.
Prices for the 2012 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI Quattro start at $59,250. The car comes standard with all-wheel drive, a 310-horsepower 3.0-liter direct-injection supercharged V6, eight-speed automatic transmission and much more. It's effectively the sportiest, best-equipped model of the lovely new A6 sedan that goes on sale shortly.
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| 2012 Audi A7 |
The A7's price compares well with other leading all-wheel drive sport sedans like the 535i, CTS, GS 350 and E350 thanks to a range of useful features the other cars don't offer.
The A7 seats four comfortably. Both rows of seats provide excellent head and shoulder room.
The hatchback holds a mega-sized 24.5 cubic feet, bigger than any of the competitive models and more than twice as big as the GS' trunk.
A parcel shelf keeps road noise from echoing in the big cargo space. The wide, low opening makes it easy to load big objects. The A7's interior is quiet, with little road or wind noise.
The interior of the car I tested featured soft black perforated leather seats and a lovely dark wood with a finish that let you feel the material's grain.
The front-seat cupholders were too close to the armrest; it was hard to use them with cups the size of a large Starbucks coffee.
The gauges were large and clear. Most of the controls were simple, though I didn't see much value in the small touchpad Audi added to the MMI system that controls audio, navigation, phone and many other systems.
The ventilated seats are not particularly effective on hot days.
The voice-control system is excellent. Dictating addresses to the nav system and making phone calls to people in my directory were simple and quick.
Audi still requires you to use its proprietary wire to connect iPod-type music players, rather than using a conventional -- and less expensive -- USB plug. My iPod dropped out of shuffle mode whenever I switched to it from a CD.
The optional Audi Connect Internet connection allows the nav system to access Google Earth satellite photos in a display that lays your driving directions over photos of the roads you travel.
Audi Connect also provides real-time Sirius radio traffic updates and information about restaurants, hotels and other points of interest. It can also turn the car into a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices.
When you unplug from the Internet, the A7 reminds you it's also a fast and responsive car. The supercharged V6 provides plenty of torque for acceleration. The steering is direct and responsive.
The optional Audi Drive Select system allows you to adjust the seat belt tensioning, steering, engine and transmission for more comfort or sportier driving. The system works well, but I'd like to be able to adjust the suspension, too.
The A7's setup tended to lean in hard cornering; a stiffer setting would complement the steering and drivetrain settings.
The sticky optional 19-inch tires kept the A7 firmly planted through fast curves on country roads.
The A7's exterior boasts a wide stance, low profile, crisp body lines and a flowing fastback look.
Fuel economy is good, though not quite a match for the BMW 535i xDrive, which added its own eight-speed transmission this year.
The 2012 Audi A7 TFSI Quattro's performance, looks and practicality make the luxury hatchback ideal for drivers who want more than just another sport sedan.
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