The Audi A7 is regarded as one of the best looking four-door cars on the market today.  I believe this assessment to be true, regardless of how it drives.  Recently, I took one out for a relatively short spin.  Even with just a short ride, I can tell you that it might just be as good as it looks.

Lets start off with some numbers.  How about 4,210 pounds?  That was my first thought when I got behind the wheel – the sheer weight couldn’t make this car fast, or fun to drive in the corners, right?  Wrong. Wrong in every sense of the word.  The A7 can get to 60 in just 5.4 seconds thanks to its 3.0 liter supercharged V6 engine, which produces 310hp and 325lb-ft of torque.  Essentially, its a slightly more docile version of the powerplant found under the hood of the 2013 S5 we drove last month.  For a rather portly ride, it has the straight lines covered well.  Now how about the corners?  Sure the wheelbase is  rather long, 114.7 inches, but that’s where the Audi Drive Select comes into play.  Not only can the driver adjust the steering and engine response, but the suspension and transmission settings as well.  With the four modes, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic or Individual, the A7 can deliver regardless of the drivers needs.

So how practical is the A7?  A little known fact tells part of the tale – it actually has a larger cargo capacity than its big brother the A8.  The 3.0 liter engine is also quite frugal on fuel if you’re sensible about it.  You can be in command behind the wheel, with up to three of your largest friends, in comfort starting at just under $60,000.  If you want some added luxury like navigation and parking sensors you’ll need to step up to the Premium Plus model for another three grand.  There is another trim level, the $66,000 Prestige, but we just can’t justify any necessity.

Well there you have it, a relatively short and rather sensible drive of the Audi A7.  I’m not going to tell you to go run out and buy one, but I wouldn’t tell you to not to either.  Enthusiasts may want to be on the look out, however.  The 4.0 liter S7 will be on its way very soon.  Perhaps numbers like 420 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque might interest you.  Oh, and the integrated pop-up spoiler makes everything worthwhile.

-Scott Villeneuve