2023 Audi S7
Overview
The 2023 Audi S7 is the sleek sister ship to the more conservative-looking S6 three-box sports sedan with which it shares its mechanicals. The S7 occupies the sweet spot between the standard-issue A7 and the extraordinary RS7. While all three models honor Audi’s luxury pedigree with handsomely appointed interiors and a plethora of high-tech features, the biggest difference between them is what’s under their respective hoods. Filling the gap between the A7’s 335-hp turbo V-6 and the RS7’s mondo 591-hp twin-turbo V-8 is the S7’s 444-hp twin-turbocharged and supercharged V-6. Like its siblings, the S7 comes standard with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. This setup helps the handsome four-door hatchback hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds but its six cylinders don’t sing as sweetly as its predecessor’s twin-turbo V-8. The current version is also slightly heavier and marginally less swift than the generation it replaced. The 2023 S7’s combination of sporty ride-and-handling and strong power delivery make it entertaining to drive but a host of competitors—from the Mercedes-AMG GT53 to the BMW 8-series Gran Coupe—are even more lively and engaging.
What’s New for 2023?
For 2023, the S7 lineup adds an entry-level Premium trim. A new $2500 Design Edition package provides a blacked-out appearance to the exterior trim bits as well as extra microsuede appointments inside. All models also benefit from the addition of an Audi Sport package that includes a black interior with red contrast stitching. The mid-level Premium Plus model adds new standard features such as heated rear seats, leather on the dash and on other cabin areas, and the full roster of driver assists. At the top of the lineup, the Prestige gets a remote-controlled parking feature that does what its name suggests.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Premium
$83,595
$87,795
Prestige
$91,595
The Prestige model has the most fancy equipment, but it also costs. We’d choose the Premium Plus trim instead, which comes standard with an adaptive air suspension, a powerful Bang & Olufsen sound system, four-zone climate control, front sport seats with 12-way power adjustments and heated cushions, automatic high-beams, leather upholstery, and a panoramic sunroof. To that we’d add the S Sport package, which includes a more audible exhaust, rear-wheel steering, and a torque-vectoring rear differential. Lastly, we’d consider the Executive package for its ambient lighting, extended leather, heated rear seats, and LED headlights.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Audi axed the S7’s 450-hp twin-turbo V-8 a few years ago, replacing it with a twin-turbo V-6 that makes 444 ponies. You won’t notice the small dip in power, though, as Audi ramped up the torque by 37 pound-feet, to 443. The V-6 routes that torque to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. A 48-volt motor-generator smooths auto stop-start operation while an electric supercharger rouses throttle response at lower rpms. Unfortunately, the electric components add weight. Tipping the scales at 4640 pounds, the new S7 is 132 pounds heavier than its predecessor. The eight-speed automatic shifts smartly but can’t snap off gear changes quite as quickly as the seven-speed dual-clutch it replaces. As a result, the S7 falls a few tenths of a second behind its predecessor to 60 mph and through the quarter-mile, managing a 4.1-second sprint to the former and a 12.5-second dash to the latter. Despite that, this luxury four-door remains eager to hustle and feels much smaller than it is. It has no problem stopping either. Massive front brake rotors clamped by six-piston calipers bring the S7 to a halt from 70 mph in a short 151 feet.
More on the S7 Hatchback
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
In fuel economy, the 2023 S7 should mirror the 2022 model, which achieves better mileage than its predecessor as well as a top rival, the BMW M850i Gran Coupe. The Mercedes-AMG CLS53 has the S7 beat in the city, though, scoring 21 mpg to the S7’s 18. During our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test, the Audi achieved 28 mpg, matching its EPA rating. In the same test, the BMW also earned 28 mpg, and the Merc returned an impressive 30 mpg. For more information about the S7’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the S7 features everything you’d expect from a luxury performance sedan: natural wood trim, quilted leather with contrast stitching, heating for the front seats and steering wheel, shift paddles, four-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and more. Plus, Audi offers luxury touches such as dual-pane acoustic glass and soft-close doors, and who doesn’t like those? The S7’s fastback shape is a boon for cargo volume. Under the hatch, you have 25 cubic feet of room to play with. That’s double what the CLS53 has to offer and 11 cubes more than what the S6 sedan can boast.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster sits in front of the driver. In the center console, Audi divides the infotainment functions between two haptic-feedback screens, a 10.1-incher on top and an 8.6-inch display down low. The screens are rendered with crisp graphics and, with a little familiarity, are easy to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces come standard, as do SiriusXM radio, Bluetooth audio, and a wireless charging pad. Audi provides a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system on both trims, and you can upgrade to a 19-speaker unit from B&O on Prestige models.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Audi provides S7 buyers with some driver-assistance technology. For more information about the S7’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
When it comes to warranty coverage, Audi matches what the other luxury German brands have to offer. Its four-year roadside assistance program isn’t novel either.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2020 Audi S7
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$101,340 (base price: $84,895)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged, supercharged, and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
177 in3, 2894 cm3
Power
444 hp @ 6700 rpm
Torque
443 lb-ft @ 1900 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 15.7-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4, 255/35R-21 98Y AO
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 115.3 in
Length: 196.0 in
Width: 75.1 in
Height: 55.8 in
Passenger volume: 95 ft3
Cargo volume: 25 ft3
Curb weight: 464 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
Rollout, 1 ft: 0.2 sec
60 mph: 4.1 sec
100 mph: 9.9 sec
130 mph: 17.6 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.8 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.8 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.5 sec
¼-mile: 12.5 sec @ 112 mph
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 151 ft
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 28 mpg
Highway range: 540 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 22/18/28 mpg
More Features and Specs
