2023 Audi A7 Sportback

The 'Sportback' designation has become synonymous with sleek, suave looks, but in the case of the Audi A7, it also comes with cargo space versatility, to boot. So, while the Audi A7 Sportback is somewhere between sedan and coupe styling, we think the recipe works well enough to see it near the top of a class that's filled with impressive names. Competitors to the Audi A7 include the evergreen Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but there's also the Genesis G80 to consider; the latter came in swinging with eye-catching style, superb quality, loads of cutting-edge tech, and impressive performance. But the Audi A7 has been around long enough to have polished what it presents, which includes a robust V6 engine with 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, a serene drive, a refined cabin, and build quality that is above reproach. Add to that the flexibility of a trunk that can accommodate just under 25 cubic feet of cargo, and it becomes clear that very few competitors in the segment tick as many boxes. Despite its large size, the A7 Sportback is also an adept handler and will please in the city and on the open road. When it comes to luxury executive cars, the A7 is one of the best.

The Audi A7's price is very similar to the CLS 450 in its base form, but its MSRP in any given spec is far lower than the Panamera's. The entry-level Audi A7's MSRP is $70,200, and the Premium Plus bumps the asking price up to $75,350. For Prestige models, the price of an Audi A7 Sportback starts at $79,350. The MSRPs exclude a $1,095 delivery fee.

The 2023 Audi A7 Sportback is not a small car, and all the luxury features, tech, and leather add significant weight, but Audi has managed to mask most of it. The A7 Sportback won't see a track and will spend most of its life cruising the city streets and highways of the USA in regal fashion, but if you're after a lick of speed and excitement, the A7 Sportback will deliver - to a point. The chassis is well balanced and features impressively responsive steering. Turn in sharply, and the nose of the car will duly follow, but sudden changes in direction will reveal the A7 Sportback's weight. The sport suspension option of the S Line Black Optic Package does tighten things up, but this car is really more about comfortable cruising at high speed. Combine that with a superbly smooth engine and isolated cabin, and you're left with a driving experience more akin to a private jet than a sports car.

The A7 Sportback is neither sedan, coupe, nor hatchback, but it certainly is luxurious. Straddling the line between all these body styles means you get a bit of everything; this car looks sleek but offers a decent amount of practicality, and once seated inside the cabin, you're wrapped up in stunning luxury and refinement. The chassis and engine might not be performance-focused, but there's a definite element of sportiness that can't be denied. The engine provides more than enough oomph to support this, and if you want more, there is the S7 to consider. In terms of technology, the A7 Sportback offers a ton as standard, with Audi's virtual cockpit, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, three-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen fitted to the entry-level model. Opting for any of the higher trims adds even more value. Historically, the IIHS's safety review of the Audi A7 has also resulted in consecutive Top Safety Pick+ awards. The four-ringed Sportback is a well-rounded executive cruising machine that blurs traditional design plans in the best possible way.

The base model in the Audi A7 quattro range is not badly equipped, but it misses out on a few crucial features. While the top-level trim does get the benefit of traffic-sign recognition, a head-up display, and the ultimate in opulence, it has mostly the same driver assists and infotainment elements as the mid-level model, so we'd recommend the Premium Plus - sadly, the hybrid powertrain is no longer available for the fuel savings benefits. So, we'd throw in the Executive Package for added comforts and nice shade of Tango Red, and we'd be happy with the total of $78,790, inclusive of delivery, which still undercuts the top trim's sticker price.