A Dapper Executive Limo

Audi A7 Sportback.

- Kenny Yeo

The A7 Sportback seems like a staple in Audi’s lineup today but the fiirst A7 Sportback actually only rolled out of the assembly line in 2010, which makes it one of Audi’s youngest models. It was Ingolstadt’s answer to the CLS which was selling like hotcakes out of neighboring Stuttgart. Who would have thought that a rakish, somewhat peculiar-looking full-size limousine was the kind of car the world’s executives wanted but never knew they did?

For its second coming, Audi has given the A7 Sportback a thorough rework with a brand-new design, new interior, new infotainment system, and more. The A7 Sportback was always about the way it looks so let’s begin there. It’s recognizable but also very different. The sloping roofline is present as is the tapered rear, but the new A7 Sportback has angles and lines that give it a more grown-up look. Compared to the model it replaces, the new A7 Sportback is less K-pop boy band and more heavy rock band. As I always say, looks are subjective but I prefer the A7 Sportback to its rivals. To me, the CLS looks too much a stretched CLA, while the 6 Series Gran Coupé is looking tired now and we await its successor.

The cabin has been massively improved. For the driver, the dashboard has been entirely reworked aesthetically and ergonomically. Gone are the dated wood trimmings and in its place are thin and sharp-looking panels made out of aluminum. Not only does the entire cabin look more up to date, but the A7 Sportback also features the Audi phone box, a compartment in the center armrest that features two USB ports and a Qi wireless charging pad for charging your mobile devices.