2025 Audi S7

There’s virtually nothing else like the Audi S7. It follows a fantastic formula of luxury, power, style, driving dynamics, practicality, and technology. Nothing over the top, the S7’s wonderful speed and handling can be explored to a great degree on the right roads. We think Audi has a really strong suit with its S cars, and the S7 is a fine example.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize luxury cars, including the Audi S7.

The HomeLink remote garage door button is now integrated into the rearview mirror, and the free Audi Connect Nav trial subscription period is increased from six months to three years. The optional Convenience package for Premium trim gains extra LED interior lighting.

This second generation of S7 launched for the 2019 model year. An all-new version could debut for 2026.

We cover the regular A7 and the even more powerful RS 7 in separate reviews.

We think the midlevel Premium Plus version hits a sweet spot on the equipment/price continuum. Unless you really want the optional Night Vision offered with Prestige trim.

We reiterate our observation that there’s nothing else like the S7. The BMW 540i xDrive sedan could come close in terms of performance, especially with the optional M Sport package that would still keep the final tally below the S7’s starting price. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe begins a little higher than the S7, or quite a lot higher if it’s the 523-horsepower M850i xDrive model.

Before buying a new S7 luxury midsize car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are a bit below the class average. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The S7’s twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 develops 444 horsepower, which is just on the reasonable side of awesome. The S7 can accelerate from standstill to 60 mph in a rapid 4.5 seconds. One possible alternative is the BMW 540i xDrive sedan, which shaves a tenth of a second from that 60-mph time while exercising 375 horses.

One thing we’ve long admired about Audi’s S cars is how well they reconcile poise with comfort. The S7 rides a little tauter than a regular A7, ramping up the fun yet not annoying the passengers. That’s thanks to a sport-tuned air suspension. Audi also offers a sportier adaptive steel suspension (in Premium Plus and Prestige versions) that is appreciably firmer. We recommend test-driving both setups if possible to make a better-informed decision.

The optional S Sport package available with the top two trims includes rear-wheel steering. We like this feature in particular because it enhances maneuverability in tight spaces while increasing agility at higher speeds.

Fuel Economy

The S7 achieves 22 mpg in combined city/highway driving. We don’t expect frugality from our sporty luxury machines, but the BMW 540i xDrive is capable of 28 mpg combined, and even the BMW 840i xDrive Gran Coupe beats the S7 by two miles per gallon.

Leather-covered, diamond-stitched sport seats perform the dual functions of providing comfort as well as holding their occupants in place during quick cornering. They also look good, like the rest of the S7’s cabin. There’s that typical Audi aversion to clutter, keeping things neat yet also a touch interesting with well-judged shapes and textures. Fit and finish is exemplary, another Audi trait.

Rear legroom measures 37 inches, plenty for an adult male of average size. Behind those rear seats is a generous luggage area of 24.6 cubic feet, more than any trunk in this midsize sedan class. That’s just one benefit of the S7’s liftback design.

The S7 comes with 21-inch alloys wheels as standard. Red brake calipers peek out between the spokes, marking the S7 as extra special. This car rides on a slightly lower sport suspension than the regular A7 and comes with a special quad-pipe exhaust system. Aerodynamic additions (including larger front air intakes) provide even more sophisticated sportiness.

The liftgate is wonderfully practical, opening wide to reveal an extremely roomy cargo area.

All-wheel drive
All-wheel drive enables great grip in the dry, allowing the S7 to get its power down quickly and effectively. In rough weather, it adds confidence. This system is standard in the S7.

HD Matrix-design LED headlights
These are standard with the S7 as well. They adjust the pool of light in front of the car to provide optimum illumination for the driver, yet not dazzle any other road users.

Virtual Cockpit
No longer new technology, but Audi’s Virtual Cockpit still impresses us with its clarity and ease of use. This digital driver information display has incredibly sharp graphics and, despite a wealth of information available, doesn’t require hours of practice to master.

Adaptive Cruise Assist
This feature combines adaptive cruise control with active lane centering and Traffic Jam Assist, doing a lot of the work during long freeway stretches. The driver must keep hold of the steering wheel and remain focused on the road ahead, but we still think it’s good to have. It’s optional at the Premium level, standard higher up.

Head-up display
Like the Virtual Cockpit, not cutting-edge tech, but we like to see crucial information projected onto the windshield, so we can keep our eyes more focused on the road ahead. This is standard in the Prestige trim, optional in Premium Plus trim.

Bang & Olufsen Advanced system with 3D sound
It’s an expensive option ($4,900) exclusive to the top Prestige trim, but we think this 19-speaker/1,820-watt array sounds absolutely awesome.

The S7’s twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 makes a substantial 444 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. This goes through an 8-speed automatic transmission to a standard all-wheel-drive system. This engine also employs a mild hybrid system to smooth out the fuel-saving stop/restart function and maximize efficiency in general.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Audi’s new-vehicle and powertrain warranties last four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is common among European luxury car makers. Audi also includes four years of roadside assistance.

Safety Ratings

The S7 itself hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States, but the A7 (on which the S7 is based) has. Earlier A7 model years have been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Last year’s version has top scores of Good in the three crash tests carried out by the institute. The A7 hasn’t been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).