The Audi A7 was built on the back of the A6 sedan, sharing the same platform, interior design, and technology in a sportier, coupe-like package. Originally created to compete directly with the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class four-door coupe, it also competed with the BMW 6 Series and Porsche Panamera towards the end of its life.
Within the Audi model lineup, it was intended to be the “just right” vehicle for those who wanted a more emotional design with sporty styling and performance but also needed something a little more practical than a two-door coupe.
In its short lifetime, it had a variety of powertrain options, including a diesel and a plug-in hybrid, as well as performance models with biturbo V6 and V8 engines. Ultimately, the turbo V6 was the predominant and persevering powertrain.
The Audi A7 is a great option as a used vehicle because it has all the luxury accoutrements with a more affordable price tag. If you opt for a 2017 or newer vehicle, you’ll also get most of the modern tech and safety amenities we see in new cars—the likes of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, touchscreen infotainment systems, digital gauge clusters, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.
Relatively few used models are available across the A7’s two generations, but it’s possible to find a good example if you’re willing to travel.
Audi A7: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Audi A7 Pros and Cons
- Audi A7 Generations
- Audi A7 Second Generation (2019–2025)
- Audi A7 First Generation (2012–2018)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Audi A7 years are the best?
Looking at the first-generation Audi A7, post-facelift models have fewer complaints and recalls according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, so focus your search on model years 2016 to 2018. For the second generation, 2023 to 2025 model years had zero complaints and zero recalls at the time of writing, so while they may be pricier because they are newer, they may be a good bet in terms of reliability—plus they have the latest tech features.
What are the worst Audi A7 years?
We typically advise buyers to steer clear of the first model years of a generation, and that old adage is true with the Audi A7. CarComplaints.com names 2012 the worst model year due to engine problems, and 2019 gets the most recorded complaints due to numerous faulty sensor readings and infotainment issues.
Is a used Audi A7 a good deal?
We think the Audi A7 is a very good deal for used car buyers because, like a lot of luxury vehicles, it depreciates quickly. If you look at later first-gen models, you have a good chance of finding one for less than $20,000, which is a fraction of the original MSRP. Even prices for 2022 model year cars are nearly 50% less than the original MSRP.
Audi A7 Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Standard all-wheel drive
- Attractive fastback design
- Excellent performance
Cons:
- Cramped second row
- Pricier than the A6
- Expensive to maintain
Audi A7 Generations
Audi A7 Second Generation (2019–2025)
In addition to an all-new design, the second-generation Audi A7 Sportback ushered in the mild hybrid electric vehicle powertrain. The new Audi retained its five-door, liftback styling and was still closely related to the Audi A6. It also still had standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in the form of Audi’s quattro system.
The only powertrain available at launch was a new 335-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The battery is stored under the rear cargo floor, and powers a belt-alternator starter for the automatic stop/start system. The dual-clutch S tronic seven-speed automatic transmission was also new.
Standard spec at launch included a power liftgate, LED headlights, Audi’s Multi Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, and Audi’s Pre Sense 360 safety suite. Available features included larger infotainment screens, Audi’s virtual cockpit digital gauge cluster, a head-up display, four-zone climate control, ambient lighting, a sport suspension, and a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system.
The 2019 A7 lineup included the Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims—all of which were 55 TFSI quattro models. In 2020, the S7 returned to the lineup with a 2.9-liter biturbo V6 that delivered 444 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. In 2021, the RS 7 returned to the lineup, and the A7 added a short-lived plug-in hybrid powertrain with 24 miles of all-electric range, which lasted until 2023. Outside of powertrain changes, between 2019 and 2023, the A7 received some minor package option changes and additional standard equipment.
The A7 was refreshed in 2024 with a new honeycomb grille, infotainment improvements, and more standard equipment, while RS 7 performance was improved at this time courtesy of more horsepower. Closing out this generation and the A7 lineup, 2025 brought upgraded technology and more standard equipment for each trim.
We saw around 200 options for sale nationwide during a search, which means you may have to travel to bag a second-generation A7. At the time of writing, prices ranged from about $19,000 to $76,000, but it’s possible to find cars in good condition with less than 90,000 miles for less than $35,000.
Audi A7 First Generation (2012–2018)
Though the first-generation Audi A7 launched in Europe in 2010, this fastback four-door coupe didn’t appear in the United States until the 2012 model year. Based on the same Volkswagen MLB platform as the Audi A6, the A7 shared the same drivetrain, chassis, dashboard, and interior as the sedan. Though similar to the A6, the A7 had a sloping rear roofline, creating a smaller rear seating area, and instead of a traditional trunk, it had a hatchback, which opened the cargo area through to the cabin. Competitors included the expensive Mercedes-Benz CLS and the significantly less expensive Volkswagen CC.
The A7 was launched with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system as standard and had just one engine—3.0-liter supercharged V6 that delivered 310 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It was available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims.
At launch, the A7 included standard features such as leather seats, power heated front seats, push-button start, three-zone automatic climate control, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, Bluetooth phone pairing, 18-inch wheels, and a power sunroof. Premium Plus models added navigation with Google Earth, Audi’s MMI infotainment system with an eight-inch touchscreen, 19-inch wheels, and front and rear parking sensors. The Prestige trim added a premium Bose audio system, four-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats. Available features early in this generation included adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor, LED headlights, head-up display, a night vision system, and a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system.
The performance-oriented Audi S7 was introduced for 2013, equipped with a 420-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, while the high-performance Audi RS 7 with a 560-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and a 240-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 TDI model were added in 2014. At this time, the Premium trim and bucket rear seats were deleted. The A7 received a mid-cycle refresh in the U.S. in 2016, with a wider grille, revised front and rear fascia, updated LED lighting, a newer MMI system with a faster processor, and 4G LTE in-cabin internet connectivity. The TDI model disappeared in 2017, which was when some versions were initially fitted with Apple CarPlay and Android. The 2018 Audi A7, as the last model of the first generation, received some new tech features and package options.
We found nearly 400 first-gen Audi A7s for sale, with prices ranging from about $6,000 to $30,000. If you’re looking for an A7 with less than 100,000 miles and no history of accidents or damage, you’ll find several examples for less than $20,000.
