Used Audi A7 for sale: everything you need to know
The Audi A7 is arguably one of the brand’s most desirable models. It’s little more than a stylish, fastback alternative to the Audi A6, but that’s exactly why it’s appealing: all the talent of the A6 executive saloon, wrapped up in a sleek, more dramatic form. Not an impractical one either, unlike some grand coupes, thanks to the A7 Sportback’s hatchback rear end.
It’s been that way since 2010, though the A7 we’re looking at here arrived in 2018, and remains on sale today. It’s changed a little during that time, most significantly dropping the six-cylinder engines offered at launch, but there are still plenty to choose from on the used market, plus the ballistic Audi RS7 if you crave more performance.
Should you buy an Audi A7?
Audi has used its ‘Sportback’ tag on numerous models now, but the Audi A7 Sportback is probably the best expression of the moniker. Under the skin the A7 shares plenty with the more strait-laced Audi A6 saloon, but its roofline, which swoops down to the very back of the car, gives it far more presence. Only the R8 supercar and the e-tron GT electric super-saloon really beat it for visual appeal in the current Audi range.
That style is probably why you’d consider an A7 over the A6 or A6 Avant, or even the larger Audi A8 luxury saloon. The A7 does lose some rear seat headroom compared to the more conventional saloons and estates, but on the plus side, the Sportback body style means it gets a hatchback boot, and rear legroom is still more than adequate for adults.
Naturally, the interior is impeccably built and very comfortable too. Audi’s twin touchscreen layout takes a little getting used to initially but works better once you’re familiar, aided by haptic feedback from the screens. The low seating position and the sight of that roofline receding in the rear-view mirror gives it a sporty feel too, while double glazing really cuts down on wind and road noise.
The sporty feel isn’t quite realised on the road, especially now the A7 only gets four-cylinder engines (outside of the RS7 Sportback), but that of course is one of the benefits of buying a used A7, as the older V6 models are still open to you. If you like the idea of the grand coupe feel but aren’t yet convinced by the A7, then the Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW 8-Series Gran Coupe (or the older 6-Series Gran Coupe) are all worth considering too.
What’s the best used Audi A7 model to buy?
In purely pragmatic terms, there’s not much need to venture beyond Sport trim or the basic 40 TDI and 45 TFSI engines in the A7 - you still get the same striking silhouette, while the TDI and TFSIs have a decent kick out of corners, yet still settle down to a background hum on the motorway, just as you’d hope.
However, we can understand anyone wishing to look for an S Line or Black Edition model purely for visual reasons, while it’s worth investigating some of the older engines, since the old 55 TFSI petrol and 45 and 50 TDI diesels all used six-cylinder engines - and while they aren’t as frugal as the newer units, they give the A7 a more prestigious feel.
Used Audi A7 fuel economy and performance
- Audi A7 40 TDI: The 2-litre TDI four-cylinder diesel in the ‘40’ develops 204PS, with a 7-speed S Tronic automatic gearbox and standard all-wheel drive. 0-62mph takes seven seconds exactly, while combined economy is up to 51.4mpg.
- Audi A7 45 TFSI: The first petrol version packs a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 265PS again through a 7-speed S Tronic. 0-62mph is over in 6.2 seconds, while economy is quoted at 37.7mpg combined.
- Audi A7 50 TFSI e: The 50 TFSI e effectively gets the same engine as the 45 TFSI, but uses electric assistance and a 14.4kWh battery pack to produce 299PS, with 41 miles of EV range contributing to economy of 217.3mpg. Extra weight makes it a touch slower than the 45, at 6.3 seconds to 62mph.
What used Audi A7 trim levels are available?
The three trim levels in the A7 range should be familiar to anyone who has owned or looked for an Audi before, with the usual Sport and S Line models, and a car with a blacked-out styling pack, in this case the Black Edition. These trim lines haven’t changed too much since the A7’s introduction in 2018, though you may find slightly different options here and there.
- The Audi A7 Sport comes as standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED matrix headlights, a pair of touchscreen infotainment displays, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, and electrically adjustable front seats.
- The Audi A7 S Line has a look inspired by the Audi RS7, with an S Line exterior styling kit, 20-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, leather and Dinamica artificial suede seat trim, and brushed aluminium trim inlays.
- The Audi A7 Black Edition gets a different design of 20-inch wheel and a black styling package that replaces all of the A7’s exterior brightwork (Audi badge included) with gloss black trim. Inside, you get a sports steering wheel and carbon interior inlays.
Used Audi A7 dimensions and boot size
The Audi A7’s dimensions are:
- Length: 4969mm
- Width: 1908mm (without mirrors), 2118mm (with mirrors)
- Height: 1422mm
- Ground clearance: N/A
The Audi A7’s boot size is:
- 535 litres (380 litres TFSI e)
- 1390 litres with the rear seats folded down (1235 litres TFSI e)
Used Audi A7 road tax
All A7s are subject to the government’s VED surcharge for cars costing more than £40,000 brand new. That currently means a bill of £600 a year for petrol and diesel variants, and £10 less for the 50 TFSI e, thanks to it being a plug-in hybrid and therefore classed as an ‘alternative fuel vehicle’. The surcharge ends in the car’s seventh year on the road.
How much is it to insure an Audi A7?
As well as getting lumbered with high tax rates, A7s may also be relatively expensive to insure, with the entire range falling between groups 40 and 50 in the current 1-50 insurance group system. This is however on a par with other high-end executive saloons and coupes.
