2021 Audi A7 Sportback

History/Overview

SUVs and crossovers may be all the rage – especially in upscale vehicle segments – but if you’re looking for a stylish alternative with just as much utility, Audi has the answer for you in the A7 Sportback.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

New for 2021 is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, which joins the mild-hybrid setup introduced at the A7’s last redesign in 2019. There’s also a new standard 8.8-inch infotainment display that can be upgraded to an also-new 10.6-inch display. Automatic high beams and lane departure warning are new standard features, too.

Available Trims

Audi offers the A7 Sportback 55 TFSI in Progressiv and Technik trims. Both start out with the car’s standard mild-hybrid powertrain, which matches a small battery and electric motor with a 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine. Technik can be optioned with the new 55 TFSI e PHEV setup, which gets a larger battery/motor combo and a 2.0L turbo four-cylinder engine. Either way, power goes through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to all-wheel drive.

Standard Features

Progressiv’s exterior and mechanical features include 19-inch wheels and all-weather tires, engine auto start/stop, rain-sensing wipers, passive keyless entry, power tailgate, power-folding/heated/auto-dimming side mirrors, and LED headlights and taillights.

Inside, Progressiv trim brings heated front and rear seating, leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, electric steering wheel adjustments, three-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, eight-way power front seats with driver four-way lumbar, a frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror, grey/brown ash wood inlays, and leatherette dash trim.

The list of high-tech features grows to include a new integrated toll module and an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen. Other standard items are navigation, touch-sensitive dash buttons, an integrated garage door remote, and a colour digital gauge display.

The A7 Sportback’s safety kit comprises automatic high beams and lane departure warning, both of which are new standard items for 2021; the rest of the list comprises front and rear parking sensors, city-speed collision detection with automatic braking, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, and exit assist.

Technik trim’s list of equipment adds a new 10.6-inch infotainment display, and the cabin also includes a Bang & Olufsen stereo, 360-degree camera views, upgraded ambient lighting, a head-up driver display, an upgraded digital gauge cluster, a rear window shade, four-way front passenger lumbar, four-zone A/C, ventilated front seats, and stitched leatherette armrests/knee bolsters.

Outside, Technik adds power door closers, lighted door sills, matrix LED headlights, exterior light animations, headlight washers, loose wheel detection, adaptive front wipers, rear collision detection and mitigation, and dynamic turn signals.

Key Options

Progressiv’s premium package adds a top-view camera, upgraded gauge cluster, the larger infotainment display, rear sun shades, and ventilated front seats. A matrix LED headlight pack also brings dynamic turn signals, headlight washers, and light animations. Techik offers a laser light headlight option.

A driver assistance package bundles traffic sign recognition, turn/congestion assists, and active lane/efficiency/active cruise assists.

If you add air suspension, you can also get a dynamic package with all-wheel steering.

An individual contour seat package gets 14-way front seats with massage and front passenger memory, full leather interior trim with a new Valcona/Milano leather combo, and a new air quality package.

Fuel Economy

Audi’s fuel consumption estimates for the A7 Sportback’s standard mild-hybrid powertrain are 10.9/8.2 L/100 km (city/highway). The PHEV 55 TFSI e is rated at 8.9/7.0 L/100 km when running as a gas-electric hybrid, and 3.5 Le/100 km in electric mode.

Competition

With the A7 Sportback, Audi keeps some desirable company, such as the Porsche Panamera and BMW’s 8 Series Gran Coupe. For less money, you can get similar style and practicality and decent luxury in the Volkswagen Arteon and the Kia Stinger.