2012 Audi A7 - Review

Altogether, we give the new A7 a 9 out of 10 at MotorAuthority, because of its handsome good looks, superb seats, and class-leading tech features; driving enthusiasts might only wish for more steering feel.

The sole powertrain in the 2012 A7 is a supercharged V-6, dubbed TFSI 3.0, with an eight-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. The engine makes 310 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, but even more important is its torque curve. You don't need to wait for revs to climb to feel its kick. Ease in with your right foot and the A7 simply wafts up to speed, much like a diesel or a V-8.

Those who enjoy to drive rapidly will find that the A7 is a car for the high-speed sweepers, not necessarily for a tight, snaking forest road. You do feel its weight in low-speed transitions (it's just a couple hundred pounds shy of the A8's curb weight), and its steering doesn't manage to purvey much road feel, but it all comes together in a confident, hard-to-fluster feel at higher speeds. Sport-sedan enthusiasts will probably wish for a little more edginess (it's on the way this next year in the upcoming, V-8-powered 2013 Audi S7), but overall the A7 feels responsive enough for most drivers without harshness.

The distinct hatchback design has its pros and cons here. There's enough of a backseat to make two adults happy, even on longer trips, but legroom and headroom are tight. And while the continuous cargo floor, when you fold the seatbacks down, is hard to beat, the cargo space is limited due to the low hatch glass.

The A7 is something of a tech powerhouse, even when compared to other luxury rivals. On offer are a night-vision display, blind-spot assist, 3D Google Earth maps, and a MMI Touch system that lets you scratch out letters with your finger. We've found that feature, once you get used to MMI's menu logic, to be far easier than touch-screen or pointed-based systems.

For more, see the full review of the 2012 Audi A7 over at The Car Connection.