Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro SE
Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro SE 245PS S Tronic company car review
What is it?
A COUPE-styled executive hatchback, the new A7 takes Audi into new niche somewhere above the A6 saloon but below the luxury A8 saloon.
The Audi A7 offers an alternative large executive car experience laced with more style (the coupe shape) and more practicality (the hatchback boot).
There are two Audi A7 diesel models available, the 204PS front-wheel drive 3.0-litre TDI and the model tested here, the 245PS 3.0-litre TDI with quattro four-wheel drive, costing £48,000 for the SE.
What’s hot?
- Graceful coupe styling suits understated Audi brand well
- Deluxe motorway cruiser…
- …you could drive to the south of France (and beyond) with ease
- Hushed on the motorway too
- Compliant ride quality is the best yet in an Audi…
- …supple suspension soaks up bumps imperceptibly
- 158g/km CO2 emissions keeps car under key 160g/km tax break
- And there’s 47.1mpg fuel economy
- Multi Media Interface (MMI) function for sat-nav and audio intuitive to use
- High level of spec includes alloys, leather, fuel-saving stop-start…
- …not forgetting xenon headlamps, DAB digital radio and sat-nav
- 3D Google maps view sat-nav is stunning (but you’ll need to pay extra)
- Load bay provides up to 1390 litres with rear seats folded down
What’s not?
- Styling not successful from all angles
- Interior dashboard is too fussy
- Tall passengers will find rear headroom restricted
- On twistier roads diesel model loses its composure…
- …and steering feels strangely inert and uncommunicative
- Options list is extensive but expensive
Business Car Manager test verdict
Exclusive and different, the new Audi A7 is absolutely on the button for SME owners and directors who want executive car class but with additional practicality delivered in style.
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However, the two-wheel drive diesel version would be the more suitable business choice for company car tax purposes thanks to its lower CO2 emissions.
