After a full redesign in 2019 and the arrival of the S7 variant in 2020, Audi doubles down on the performance punch in 2021 with the arrival of the RS7, reviewed separately. Otherwise, there are only small changes in store for what might be the best large luxury car on the market. Clean styling, quality build and materials, and pleasing performance have propelled the A7 to the top of the rankings, and the arrival of this most-powerful variant only underscores the point. The A7 is definitely a car you should have on your radar.

For the standard A7, which is built on the same platform as Audi’s A6 sedan, power is delivered via a turbocharged V6 engine and pushed through a dual-clutch, seven-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels, which are now standard at 20 inches for 2021 and wrapped in all-season tires. And while all the news this year will be focusing on the RS7 and its astounding 3.6-second 0-60 time, that doesn’t mean you should ignore the regular old A7. It still manages to do the same trip in just 5.2, which is quick by any measure, especially when considering the A7’s curb weight of 4,300 pounds.

The main difference between the A6 and the A7 is the A7’s “Sportback” fastback/hatchback design, which increases the A6’s 13.7 cubic feet of trunk space by 11.2 cubic feet for a whopping 24.9 in the A7. That’s a whole compact car’s worth of extra storage space, and the reason the A7 can arguably be called a proper GT car. Beyond that roof angle adjustment, you’re not going to see any difference between the A6 and the A7. They both offer a wealth of high-end trim throughout a clean, elegant cabin design, with wood, brushed metal, and leather, and they both offer an abundance of space for front and rear occupants, although the A7’s Sportback does impede on rear headroom a bit when compared with the A6.

Further changes for 2021 revolve around standard features and options packages. The base Premium trim’s available Convenience package adds the upgraded navigation system and a surround-view camera, while the Premium Plus trim gains adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, and the top-tier Prestige trim gets an adaptive suspension and larger, 21-inch wheels. Given the generous list of features the A7 already boasts, these are nice little trimmings to an already attractive offering. Starting with the base Premium trim, you’ll get LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, parking sensors front and rear, keyless entry and ignition, three-zone automatic climate controls, leather upholstery, and power heated front seats.

Premium Plus trim adds Audi’s virtual instrument panel, the surround-view camera, contrast stitching, enhanced voice control, and an upgraded infotainment system with a larger 10.1-inch main touchscreen and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. The top-tier Prestige trim adds four-zone auto climate control, ventilation for the front seats, additional lumbar adjustment for the front passenger, and rear-window sunshades, all of which are available to be added to the Premium Plus trim via a Warm Weather Package. The Prestige additionally gets you laser headlights, a head-up display, ambient interior lighting, dual-pane acoustic glass, and soft-close doors.

Safety is handled via standard frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, though blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic can be added with the Convenience package. Premium Plus trims and up have all of these features, while a Driver Assistance package will add adaptive cruise with Traffic Jam Assist, lane-keeping assist, side-impact collision warning, and a traffic sign reader.

If you want something similar but a little smaller for a little less money, the A5 will fit the bill perfectly. Or if it’s simply headroom you’re worried about, the A6 will do everything the A7 promises, just with the sacrifice of a not-inconsequential amount of trunk space. But if neither of those are of concern, you can count on the A7 to deliver.