2018 Audi S7 Review

Name: 2018 Audi S7 Review
Brand: Audi

2018 Audi S7 Prestige quattro Sedan Exterior Shown

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Audi S7 model years

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byJames Riswick^{Edmunds Contributor
James Riswick is an automotive journalist at Edmunds.}

Pros

Blistering acceleration from V8 engine
Hatchback design's expanded cargo space

Cons

Less headroom than a typical sedan
Doesn't offer some of Audi's latest technology features

What’s new

The 2018 Audi S7 is essentially unchanged.

Vehicle overview

If you scan our "cons" list of Audi's A7, you'll note that "needs more power" is not among them. Far from it, in fact, as the car's strong V6 engine allows it to accelerate to 60 mph in a rapid 4.8 seconds. And yet no one ever complained about adding a twin-turbo V8 with 450 horsepower to a car, and that's exactly what the 2018 Audi S7 gives you. Quite simply, it makes this gorgeous yet practical hatchback-style sedan even more lustworthy.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 Audi S7 Premium Plus quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$275/mo

$213/mo

Avg. Large Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Besides performance, practicality and beauty, the S7 provides the usual Audi virtue of a stylish and impeccably crafted cabin. It also comes loaded with features. And although Audi's latest tech isn't available, the previous-generation MMI interface is still plenty user-friendly and you still get standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The S7 does suffer from reduced rear headroom due to its sleek roofline, and the back has only two seats. If that's a problem, you could always consider the nearly mechanically identical Audi S6 that also costs considerably less. However, then you'd be giving up the quintessential S7 style.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

8.2 / 10

The 2018 Audi S7 has the same sleek shape and practical design of the A7. But a turbocharged V8 engine and other performance enhancements further combine to create one of the most desirable cars on the market.

Trim tested

There are typically multiple versions of each vehicle, although many aspects are shared. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Audi S7 (turbo 4.0L V8 | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic | AWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current S7 has received only minor changes. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's S7.

Scorecard

Overall	8.2 / 10
Driving	8.5
Interior	8.0
Utility	9.0

Driving

8.5

The A7 isn't lacking for speed, but the S7's turbo V8 pumps out 450 hp and makes a pleasing muted growl while doing it. It also handles curves far better than something this large should.

Acceleration

9.0

Sneaky fast. The 450-hp 4.0-liter V8 builds power so easily you barely notice the law-breaking speed you've built up, with 60 mph arriving in just 4.2 seconds. The seven-speed automatic is ultra-quick, smart and smooth-shifting.

Braking

7.0

Pedal travel was longer than expected during testing and normal driving, which made the brakes feel less powerful than they are. Stopped from 60 mph in 110 feet with zero fade — decent but not class-leading. Easy to modulate around town.

Steering

8.0

Feedback could be better in all steering modes. We appreciated the extra heft and exceedingly quick turn-in of Dynamic mode, but some may feel it's too much.

Handling

8.5

Despite its length and weight, the S7 is a fantastic handler. Its size made it difficult to place precisely during our slalom test and on super tight back roads, but it's controllable, fun and the all-wheel drive puts the power down sublimely.

Drivability

8.5

Even with so much power and speed on tap, the S7 can be driven like an everyday car. The gas pedal is supple, the transmission doesn't hunt at low speeds, and the suspension doesn't beat you up.

Interior

8.0

The S7's interior is a nice, impeccably crafted place. It's just that there's less of it than in traditionally designed sedans. Like the Mercedes CLS and BMW Gran Coupe, the S7 has compromised rear headroom due to its coupelike styling.

Utility

9.0

While the S7 might not be as friendly for people as the Audi S6 and other regular sedans, it betters them when carrying stuff. The deep, highly accessible cargo area is more spacious and versatile than what others offer.

Small-item storage

8.0

Bins in the doors, forward of the shifter and under the center armrest provide decent space for phones and other objects. Cupholders are on the small side.

Cargo space

9.0

The hatchback trunk (24.5 cubic feet) is very accessible and super deep, which is the key differentiator between the S7 and other luxury sedans. It is a tad narrow, though, and don't count on that hatchback allowing for bigger, bulkier items.

Technology

The S7 does not yet offer Audi's latest MMI interface, including the Virtual Cockpit all-digital gauge display. That's OK, though, for as impressive as that system is, the older version in the A7 is still feature-rich and easy to use.

2018 Audi S7 models

The 2018 Audi S7 is a midsize high-performance four-door with a hatchback body style Audi dubs a "Sportback." Unlike the A7, which comes in a five-passenger configuration, the S7 can only be had with a pair of individual rear sport seats. There are two trim levels, Premium Plus and Prestige, both of which come with a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 good for 450 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard.

The Premium Plus trim comes standard with 19-inch wheels, full LED exterior lighting, an adaptive air suspension, a sunroof, a power liftgate, parking sensors, a rearview camera, a blind-spot monitoring system, heated auto-dimming mirrors, automatic wipers, and keyless ignition and entry.

Inside, you get standard four-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating, driver-seat memory settings, diamond-stitched leather upholstery, a power-adjustable steering wheel, a head-up display and Audi's MMI electronics interface (8-inch display, knob controller, touchpad). Also on the list: a navigation system, voice controls, Bluetooth, Audi Connect, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with a CD player, satellite radio, HD radio and a media player interface.

The Prestige gains 20-inch wheels, high-performance summer tires, LED cabin lighting and soft-closing doors.

On either trim, an available Driver Assistance package adds adaptive cruise control, a forward collision warning and automatic braking system (Pre Sense Plus), lane departure warning and intervention, and automatic high beams. The S Sport package adds upgraded steering, a sport rear differential and sport exhaust. The Comfort Seating package supplants the standard diamond-stitched sport seats for ventilated front seats with massage and memory settings for both seats. The Cold Weather package adds heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel. The 20-inch Black Optic package gets you 20-inch dark-colored wheels and high-gloss black exterior trim. Rear side airbags are a stand-alone option.

Optional for the Prestige only are 21-inch wheels, a night-vision assist system and a Bang & Olufsen sound system upgrade.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2/5Below Average

#46 out of 48 among Luxury Fullsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi S7 from 2008-2022.}

$1,192/yr

vs. $729/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

2.09x/yr

vs. 1.74x/yr
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

28.7%

vs. 14.7%
for Average Luxury Fullsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Audi S7.

5 (84%)

4 (16%)

3 (0%)

2 (0%)

1 (0%)

4.8

19 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Luxury Sport Sedan

rxs7, 06/30/2013

2013 Audi S7 Prestige quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)

As a driving/car enthusiast the S7 is the best of both worlds. Refined and luxurious interior, powerful turbine like engine. Automated manual tranmission can be driven as smoothly as an automatic, or as aggressively as any high performance manual trans would allow. Test drove Porche Panamera 4S. Same performance with better fuel economy and less costly maintenance and sticker price. …

73000 miles trading it in.

Stephen, 11/11/2015

2014 Audi S7 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)

This was a great car. For a car with incredible performance and phenomenal technology, it is very easy to live with as an everyday driver and like 4 of my last 5 Audi’s, it has been mechanically sound. I’ve reviewed this car at different stages of its life, and I’ll try not to repeat myself. It has been consistently great, dependable, ergonomic, and beautiful. I still enjoy driving it …

S7 Engine Malfunction Fault

s7george, 12/28/2013

2014 Audi S7 quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)

Engine Malfunction Light came on after 60km. 4 months later and 8350km and 3 more times of the fault light coming on Audi can only say that it is a set of circumstances in the fuel system that causes low pressure and the engine malfunction light to come on. Audi has changed the pressure switch and the fuel pump numerous times now but with NO success. Has anyone else had this …

Fun S7

don jacobs, 02/16/2018

2018 Audi S7 Prestige quattro 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM)

Great all around car....sporty but very flexible....can haul...people or lots of stuff . I have a 2016 A7 and just wanted to try the S7. My biggest complaint is on all cars now ....the auto turn off when you are stopped...You can cancel this feature but the car defaults to it every time you shut the car off.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Audi S7, so we've included reviews for other years of the S7 since its last redesign.

See all 19 reviews of the Audi S7

Write a vehicle review

2018 S7 Highlights

Trim:

Premium Plus quattro

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$81,200
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$275/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	24.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the S7 models:

Audi Pre Sense Basic: Warns the driver, tensions seat belts and closes the windows if a potential collision is detected.
Audi Pre Sense Plus: Warns the driver of an imminent front collision and can automatically brake as well.
Rear-Seat Side Airbags: Provides additional protection for outboard rear occupants in case of a side-impact collision.

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