2016 Audi S7 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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To most Americans, a hatchback is a turnoff. For some reason we just don’t like the look, extra practicality, and extra space. If there is a single vehicle in the U.S. market that breaks that general rule, it's the 2016 Audi S7 Sportback. You see what Audi did there? The company acknowledged the car's novel body style, but gave it a name folks paying about $85K might prefer. For 2016, Audi makes substantive changes to the styling and mechanical bits of the S7, but retains its fantastic looks and practicality.
Yes, we said fantastic. The 2016 Audi S7 is one of the few cars that actually looks better from the back. When it's at peace, the sloping trunk line that melts down over the rear fenders gives the S7 a unique look all its own. At speed, the active aerodynamics kick in, and a spoiler rises from the lip of the tail of the Sportback. Audi’s designers nailed this look. It does not have the inflated “pufferfish” look that some BMW sportbacks do. The S7 is one of the rare cars that has a look all its own, at least from the rear. From the front, it looks like an S6 sedan, or any Audi for that matter, which is to say mature and classy.
The changes to the S7 mostly involve parts unrelated to its unique profile. Consider that great news. Audi likes its body-style changes to be almost transparent, and this 2016 update follows that plan. Up front, the headlights are all new and LED. The bold horizontal grille gets some updates that smooth out the design and improve it without letting you know it was changed. The trim around that grille can now be ordered in chrome or glossy black. In back the taillights are new, and a mesh bumper insert is added.
The 2016 Audi S7’s drivetrain is updated, but not radically. The 4.0-liter turbocharged TFSI V8 engine has been retuned to 450 hp, a bump of 30 hp. Torque is unchanged, but at 406 lb-ft, still substantial. Making the most of the torque is Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, standard on the S7. The S7 has its own dual-clutch transmission within the Audi A7 family. This means shifts are instant and rev-matched and selecting one’s gear ratios is easy and rewarding. The A7 and RS 7 use a conventional automatic. Steering feel, transmission shift points, and throttle response are all adjustable. In addition to your own “personal” setting, Audi’s pre-programmed modes include Dynamic, Comfort, and Auto.
The interior of the 2016 Audi S7 is similar to other top-grade Audis, which means it's among the best in the world. The Audi man-machine-interface (MMI) is regarded as one of the easiest and best in the industry. The rotary knob that's your selector and mouse works well, but the smaller knob up and to the right of the main one is the real treat. It falls perfectly to hand and is the audio on/off and volume control. After a short time, it becomes intuitive and may be the only improvement over having that knob on the dash.
The infotainment screen has been upgraded to a technology that improves movement viewed on the screen and offers a brighter display. The processor is also new, and it provides better functionality and speed. One new technology is the Corner View screen. This allows the driver to see what's approaching from the sides when exiting a parking space, and it works from both the front and rear. Night vision assistant helps spot people and animals ahead on the roadway farther than the eye can see. A head-up display is also available.
Audi uses advanced levels of technology for its forward-collision prevention, dynamic cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. These enable the Audi to earn the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus designation (when tested as the mechanically similar A6). Audi’s A6 also aced all its crash tests including the IIHS’ small frontal overlap test. Fuel economy is rated at 17 mpg city/27 highway/21 combined, and Audi recommends premium fuel. This is the only downside of a 450-hp V8 pushing a large car with all 4 wheels.
Although mechanically almost identical to the 2016 Audi S6 sedan, the S7 offers a unique look most adore and much more practical storage space that’s easier to access. The S6 is less expensive, but the S7 offers style and practicality the S6 cannot match.
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2016 Audi S7 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 13 · 630 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 15.7 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: simulated wood · Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Cargo cover: hard · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 4.09
Engine
Alternator: 210 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: aluminum · Mirror color: aluminum · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: aluminum
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Audi MMI Connect · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.9
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: height · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation app: INRIX Traffic · Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: send destination to vehicle · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 10
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse