2019 Audi A7 Sedan

Fashion sometimes comes at a price. Not just monetarily, but sometimes at the expense of comfort. Ask anyone sporting stiletto heels, too-tight jeans or an oversize handbag. Such is the case with the redesigned 2019 Audi A7. It's based on the A6 sedan that has also received a full redesign this year. The A7 sets itself apart from the more conventional A6 with greater style and panache.

Opting for the A7's more graceful silhouette will set you back an additional $9,100 compared to the A6. Both sedans have nearly identical driving characteristics and interior designs. But what you're paying for are some added features and that stylish look that comes with both advantages and drawbacks.

Specific A7 Changes

Pricing for the 2019 Audi A7 starts at $68,995, including destination. Just like the A6, it comes standard with a 335-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that is paired with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels via Audi's upgraded Quattro system. This new "Quattro with Ultra Technology" can decouple the driveshaft that sends power to the rear wheels, thereby increasing fuel economy slightly when traction demands are low.

Standard feature highlights include leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, frontal collision warning and mitigation, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. These are essentially identical to the A6 sedan's list, but the A7 also adds the Quattro Ultra system, keyless entry, a power-opening rear hatchback, contrasting upholstery stitching and satellite radio.

Optional add-ons include several comfort and luxury features, as well as a virtual instrument panel, a larger infotainment screen, two Bang & Olufsen premium audio system upgrades, a charging pad with signal booster, additional advanced safety and automated driving features, a head-up display and dual-pane acoustic glass. Our almost fully loaded test vehicle was priced at $83,240.

It Drives Like an A6 Hatchback

Compared to the previous-generation A7, this new 2019 model produces 5 horsepower less but makes up for it with 369 pound-feet of torque. That's 44 lb-ft more than before. The 48-volt mild hybrid system assists with the engine's automatic stop-start ignition and takes over for the gasoline engine for short periods when cruising on the highway. As a result, the A7 sees a 2 mpg improvement compared to last year, which is now an EPA-estimated 25 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

The transmission doesn't exhibit some of the awkward lurches that other automated dual-clutch units do. From the driver's point of view, it behaves much like a traditional automatic, with smooth and quick gear changes. The auto stop-start feature is noticeable, but its engagement is quick enough that you don't have to wait a beat before applying pressure on the gas pedal. Driven conservatively, the A7 gracefully builds speed. Put your foot in it, and the A7 gets up to highway speeds with ease. Unfortunately, the sound from the V6 isn't particularly inspiring or refined.

On a winding road, the A7 proves itself more than capable of carving around curves quicker than most drivers dare. There's an abundance of traction from the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and the steering is appropriately responsive. Likewise, the brakes are reassuringly powerful. As athletic as the A7 is, it's still biased more toward comfort than performance and doesn't encourage spirited drivers to explore its limits. For the few who desire sportier fun, we'd suggest holding out for a possible S7 or RS 7 variant.

Stylish Inside and Out

The new A7 adopts Audi's latest exterior design cues that include a larger and more angular grille, sharper creases and deeper body panel sculpting. The overall shape and personality of the first-generation A7 remain, but a slightly elevated trunk lip gives this new model a stronger-looking rear end. There are also more subtle surface treatments that serve to reduce some of the visual weight of the body. Overall, the 2019 Audi A7 exterior design is a pleasant evolution.

The A7's interior, however, represents a significant shift in design. The cabin picked up cues from the A8 flagship sedan and is sleeker and more modern than before. The MMI infotainment screen has been moved down to blend into the predominantly horizontal dash, and below that is a secondary touchscreen. The addition of Audi's praiseworthy Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster display also gives the interior a futuristic slant.

There's also a lot to like about the feel of the cabin. The materials quality is excellent throughout, and the seats provide comfortable support for hours at a time. Adding to overall comfort is the whisper-quiet highway ride that hushes road and wind noise to barely detectable levels. Rear passengers will enjoy a surplus of legroom, but the A7's tapering roofline does cut into headroom by an inch compared to the A6 sedan. That means an average-size adult may be brushing his or her head up against the headliner.

That roofline does pay dividends in regard to cargo space, though. The A6's 13.7-cubic-foot capacity is decent, but the A7 dwarfs it with 24.9 cubic feet. The large and wide hatch will accommodate bulkier items and is much easier to access. Audi assures us that standard golf bags will fit horizontally across the trunk floor. If you've been thinking about buying an SUV because of luggage space, the A7 may be big enough to keep you in the sedan class.

A Mixed Bag of Tech

If there's one area where this new 2019 Audi A7 differs from its first generation, it's technology. There are many more features and advancements. Unfortunately, operating them isn't as effortless as we'd hoped for. Aesthetics seem to have been the priority over functionality. You operate the new MMI infotainment system via touchscreens rather than a dial, and those screens are mounted lower on the dash and further out of the driver's sight lines. As a result, it requires much more of your attention to operate the A7's systems.

According to Audi, the move to dual touchscreens allowed for the removal of some 43 physical buttons, giving the dash that sleek, uncluttered appearance. Alas, simple operations like adjusting the temperature can't be done without looking down low on the center stack. There are a few shortcut buttons for drive modes, traction control and defrosters below the climate touchscreen, but they lack a tactile reference and require just as much attention to operate.

Some driver distraction can be mitigated by adding the optional head-up display, which will project basic driving and navigation information onto the windshield. There are also some voice commands that can be used to bypass the touchscreen. As good as the system looks, we still consider this new MMI a step in the wrong direction.

Judging Past the Cover

The 2019 Audi A7 gets high marks for the way it drives and looks and for the added cargo space compared to the A6 sedan. The slight loss of rear headroom is forgivable. But the tech interface, which is shared with the A6, may be a deal-breaker. We recommend spending an extended amount of time to see if the new MMI system works for you.

Technology aside, the new A7 is a strong choice in a mixed class of vehicles. It can be cross-shopped with sedans such as the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The E-Class wagon can also be an alternative, along with the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, the Jaguar XF wagon and the Volvo V90.