Audi A7 vs Audi S7: Performance, Tuning, and Reliability
Meet Trey
Trey is an automotive enthusiast and has a huge passion for Volkswagen and Audi vehicles of all kinds. His enthusiasm started with the MK5 GTI, and he has massively expanded his knowledge over the years. When Trey is not delivering high-quality and in-depth content, we can usually find him working in his garage on his modified Genesis coupe. Trey created VW Tuning several years ago, and he is the primary visionary behind the content.
We’ve written about the Audi A3 vs S3 and the Audi A4 vs S4, so we figured we should tackle Audi’s executive luxury sedan: the Audi A7 vs S7. The Audi A7 and S7 are classified as Audi’s executive luxury coupe cars. The A7 is the standard sedan, while the S7 is the sport variant of the A7. Given the S7 is built off of the A7, there aren’t very many differences between the two. However, we will be covering performance, reliability, price, safety, and more in this article. Our goal is to provide insightful information to assist anyone in deciding between the two models. Is the S7 worth the extra money? Let’s find out.
Audi A7 vs S7 – The Basics
The Audi A7 was first introduced in 2010 and is still being produced today. Since it was introduced, there have been two generations: 4G8 and 4K8. The 4G8 was built on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform, while the 4K8 was built on the MLB Evo platform. There has only been one body type for the A7 and that is a 5-door liftback. Although, in the China market, the A7L is a 4-door sedan. The A7 has won numerous awards such as International Car of the Year in 2012, 2011 Esquire Car of the Year, and 2012 Automobile of the Year by Automobile Magazine.
The Audi S7 was first introduced in 2012 and is still being produced today. The S7 was unveiled in 2011 at the Frankfurt with a new larger V8 engine. Since its introduction, there has only been one body style, like the A7, and it is a 5-door liftback, or fastback. The S7 is specifically positioned between the A7 and RS 7. Therefore, it provides a middle ground when it comes to performance between the two.
Audi A7 Generations
- 4G8 A7 (2010-2018)
- 4K8 A7 (2019-Present)
Audi S7 Generations
- 4G8 S7 (2012-2018)
- 4K8 S7 (2019-Present)
Audi A7 vs S7 Price
In this portion, we will be going over brand new 2022, as of this writing, model prices and used prices for the A7 and S7. Price is one of the few differences between the A7 and S7.
New Audi A7 Price
In this portion, we will be going over the new A7 2022 model year prices. There are 2 different engine options for the A7: a 55 TFSI, and a 55 TFSI hybrid. The 55 TFSI can be found in all Audi trims, while the 55 TFSI hybrid can only be found in the Premium Plus and Prestige trims. A Premium A7 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $69,200, a Premium Plus A7 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $74,350, and lastly, a Prestige A7 55 TFSI quattro® starts at $78,350. A Premium Plus A7 55 TFSI hybrid quattro® starts at $75,900, and a Prestige A7 55 TFSI hybrid quattro® starts at $81,250.
New Audi S7 Price
In this portion, we will be going over the new sport variant of the A7, the S7 2022 model year prices. Unlike the A7, the S7 only has one engine, 2.9T TFSI V6 TFSI, but it is much more powerful. A Premium Plus Audi S7 starts at $84,600, and a Prestige Audi S7 starts at $90,500. Quattro®, Audi’s AWD system, and an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission come standard on a new S7. If you’re someone that wants more performance out of your whip, the RS 7 starts at a cool $118,500.
Used Audi A7 & S7 Price’s
When it comes to used Audi A7s vs S7s, pricing is pretty much consistent with new prices. With that, we mean that since the S7 is a sport variant of the A7, it tends to be a bit more expensive. Since the A7 and S7 haven’t been around too long, we will be basing prices on both generations. Therefore, a used A7s price ranges from $12,795 – $86,997* with an average price overall of $49,895, depending on model year and mileage. A used S7s price ranges from $24,690 – $114,000* with an average price overall of $69,345, depending on model year and mileage. The S7 is not only more expensive on the new side, but also on the used side. So, is the Audi S7 worth the extra money? Learn more below.
*At the time of writing this article, we believe we are in a market where used vehicles are inflated, so consider that when seeing the used prices above.Â
General A7 & S7 Topics
A7 vs S7 Size
Below are some basic details about the size and weight differences seen between the 2022 Audi A7 and the 2022 Audi S7.
Audi A7 vs S7
As expected, since the S7 is based off of the A7, there aren’t very many differences between the two models. The only noticeable thing worth mentioning is curb weight. The reason the S7 is heavier is that many performance components are larger than the A7. Performance components such as the engine, brakes, upgraded suspension, and more. Since we’re on the topic of performance, let’s jump into the biggest difference between the two.
Audi A7 vs S7 Performance
For consistencies sake, we will be using the 2022 A7 and 2022 S7 performance specs.
Engines, Drivetrain, & Fuel Economy
A7 Performance
As stated above, the A7 has two engine options: a 55 TFSI (3.0T TFSI), and a 55 TFSI hybrid (2.0T TFSI + an electric motor). Quattro®, Audi’s AWD system, and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission come standard on a new A7. The S Tronic transmission is known to be smoother than the 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission that is used in the S7. The 55 TFSI quattro® engine puts out 335hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and boasts an impressive 0-60 time of 5.6 seconds. Lastly, the 55 TFSI hybrid quattro® engine puts out 362hp and 369lb-ft of torque and has a slightly higher 0-60 time of 5.7 seconds.
The 55 TFSI engine gets 21mpg in the city and 30mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 24 with a 19.3gal fuel tank. Lastly, the 55 TFSI hybrid engine gets a total range of 410 miles on the electric motor and 27 combined mpg on gas only with a 13.7gal fuel tank.
S7 Performance
As stated above, the S7 only has one engine option: a 2.9T twin-turbo V6 TFSI. This impressive engine puts out 444hp and 442 lb-ft of torque and boasts a speedy 4.5 second 0-60 time. Now you understand why we say this is the biggest difference between the two. The S7 puts out 100 hp more than the A7, but costs an extra $15,000. The 2.9T TFSI engine gets 18mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 22 with a 19.3gal fuel tank. The engine isn’t the only difference when it comes to performance. The S7 is equipped with Audi’s sport adaptive air suspension and bigger brakes.
A7 & S7 Reliability and Common Problems
Audi A7
Is the Audi A7 reliable? The A7s overall reliability is below average. RepairPal. rated the A7 2 out of 5, which is below the 2.5 out of 5 average for luxury fullsize car reliability. This places the Audi A7 27th out of 30 luxury full-size cars. Look for a 2017 A7 if you happen to be in the market for a used A7. This is regarded as the A7’s most reliable year to date. The higher up you go on a luxury payscale, A4 to A7 for example, the more expensive maintenance gets. The average annual ownership cost for an A7 is around $1,251, which is well above the average cost of $976 for all luxury full-size vehicles.
Common problems that are seen in A7s are as followed: electrical bugs, defective airbags, defective start-stop system, common fuel leaks, premature timing chain failure, unexpected coolant loss, and steering issues. If maintained properly, an A7 can last anywhere from 150,000 to 200,000 miles. However, once the A7 eclipses the 100,000 miles mark, preventative maintenance is crucial for longevity purposes.
Audi S7
Is the Audi S7 reliable? Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of data for the S7 when it comes to reliability because they aren’t as popular as the A7. However, we felt it was important to get first-hand information from certified S7 drivers. So what did we do? We resorted to scrolling through hours’ worth of forums. Here are our findings. The Audi S7 seems to be pretty reliable. Given that the 2.9T V6 appeared in the RS 5 a few years prior to showing up in the S7, it seems that Audi has resolved the earlier pitfalls of this engine.
Common problems that are seen in S7s are as followed: premature engine mount failure, excessive oil consumption, defective start-stop system, premature timing chain failure, transmission issues, and premature oil separator failure. If maintained properly, an S7 can easily last 100,000 miles. However, once it hits that 100,000 miles, preventative maintenance is crucial for longevity purposes.
A7 vs S7 – Which is Better?
When it comes to which model is better, we feel this is rather subjective. After reading everything above, it should be rather clear that both of these vehicles are very similar. Aside from price and performance. So in our opinion, since we are adrenaline junkies, the S7 suits us best. However, if you aren’t needing or want more power, the A7 is your best bet. They both have similar tech, interiors, and safety ratings. The A7 beats the S7 in gas mileage. However, the S7 has more sporty detailed accents that make it look mean. If you’re looking for a high-performing daily driver, the S7 is for you. But if you are looking for a family sedan, the A7 is the way to go.
We always advise you to go out and get a first-hand experience with both. So, book a test drive with your local Audi dealer or used lot to get behind the wheel. There is no better research than driving them yourselves.
Audi A7 vs S7 Conclusion
To wrap up this post, we hope the information above will assist anyone on the fence about either vehicle. We understand that purchasing a luxury vehicle is a daunting task and many turn to researching prior to purchasing. In short, the two models are very similar. The A7 is cheaper and gets better gas mileage, but the S7 provides more power and sportier aesthetic details. If you happen to have first-hand experience with either, let us know your experience in the comments. This will not only assist us with our research, but also help future readers in their purchasing decision.
