Is the Audi A7 Plug-In Hybrid a Good Car?
The Audi A7’s plug-in hybrid option has all the performance you’d expect from an Audi but with a fuel-efficient powertrain offering up to 68 MPGe.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Most buyers think that if you want fuel efficiency, you have to be willing to sacrifice performance. With the
Audi A7
Plug-In Hybrid, drivers get the best of both.Audi’s
2020 announcement that it would introduce plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) options had many worried the brand may be shifting its focus away from performance in favor of fuel efficiency. The release of the 362-horsepower A7 55 TFSI e Quattro PHEV
proved otherwise. The A7 PHEV is capable of reaching 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds while maintaining a fuel rating of 68 MPGe.If you’re thinking about picking up an Audi PHEV or you just want to know more about what the car has to offer, read on.
Jerry
, the super app
designed to save drivers money on car insurance
, is here with an Audi A7 Plug-In Hybrid review.Audi A7 Plug-In Hybrid
While Audi didn’t make many changes to the A7 for the 2021 model year, the addition of a PHEV option to the lineup was a big one.
While many performance PHEVs suffer from low all-electric ranges or below-average fuel economy, the Audi A7 seems to be a major exception to the rule. If you’re looking for the perfect marriage of luxury, performance, and fuel economy, look no further than the Audi A7 Plug-In Hybrid.
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Pricing
Audi has removed the A7 Plug-In Hybrid from its lineup for 2023, but the 2022’s starting MSRP is $75,945. The 2021 model had a comparable MSRP brand new, and thanks to the inflated used-vehicle market, you can expect to pay about the same for a used A7 PHEV as a new one.
Performance and fuel economy
The Audi A7 PHEV stands out from its competitors thanks to its unique combination of agile handling, enthusiastic performance, above-average fuel economy, and all-electric range.
The A7 PHEV’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine pairs with a 14.1-kilowatt lithium-ion battery pack to churn out 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to screech from 0–60 mph in a mere 6.3 seconds.
A full charge takes only 2 hours at a Level 2 station or 6 hours on a traditional household current and rewards you with 24 miles of all-electric range.
Once you’ve run out of battery power, you needn’t worry that the Audi A7 PHEV will revert to a gas-guzzler. Instead, the EPA estimates its combined fuel economy to be 29 mpg, which makes for an estimated 68 MPGe when the electric range is added.
Exterior styling
The Audi A7 PHEV walks a beautiful line between hatchback and sedan with a fastback profile that is both visually distinct and sophisticated. Aside from a fender-mounted charging port, the standard-combustion and PHEV A7s are visually indistinguishable.
Interior and comfort
While the sleek fastback design may look great from the outside, it intrudes a bit on the rear-seat headroom. But make no mistake, this is one of the only areas in which the A7 PHEV’s interior lags behind others in its class.
The beautifully-appointed cabin is highlighted by ambient interior lighting, leather seating surfaces, and a panoramic sunroof. Three-zone climate control helps to ensure all passengers are comfy. Aside from a little more wind and road noise than one would normally expect from a vehicle in this class, the ride is smooth and quiet.
Technology
The Audi A7 Plug-In hybrid is a techie's dream. Dual touchscreens with large, easily identifiable icons seamlessly integrate into the dash and center console.
However, some complain the screens’ low positioning is problematic, causing drivers to have to look down and away from the road to view them. Opting up to the Prestige trim gets drivers a heads-up display that takes care of this issue.
In addition to these features, drivers also get:
- Audi Connect remote monitoring and control
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Navigation
- Lane-departure warning
- Forward collision mitigation
- Front and rear parking sensors
Warranty coverage
While most vehicle manufacturers offer a combination of new vehicle and powertrain warranties, Audi has simplified things with a single new vehicle warranty that also includes powertrain coverage. In addition, new Audi A7 PHEVs also feature a PHEV battery warranty.
Here’s more about each:
- 4-year/50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty that includes the vehicle’s powertrain
- 8-year/100,000-mile hybrid battery warranty
Trim levels and options
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-keeping assist
- Bang & Olufsen premium audio system
Buyers also have the option of adding the Executive Package, which gets you:
- Four-zone automatic climate control
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
Upgrading to the Prestige trim adds the Executive Package features to your A7 and tops it off with:
- Soft-close doors
- Noise-reducing side windows
- Head-up display
- Traffic sign reader
- Front cross-traffic alert
If this isn’t luxe enough for you, you can also add the appropriately-named Luxury Package to the Prestige trim, which includes:
- Premium leather upholstery
- Additional leather interior trim
- Front seat massage functions
- Front passenger seat memory settings
The bottom line
The Audi A7 PHEV is an excellent option for those looking for fuel efficiency in a luxury package. Though Audi pulled the plug-in hybrid powertrain from the A7 lineup for 2023, this has less to do with sales or popularity than with the brand’s plan to build only full-electric vehicles beginning in 2026.
Audi A7 PHEV vs. BMW 330e
The market for midsize sedans is anything but saturated, and when it comes to plug-in hybrid options, it’s nearly deserted. Even so, the Audi A7 Plug-In Hybrid isn’t without competition.
On the entry-level end of the spectrum, buyers could consider the
BMW 330e PHEV
. On the fuel-efficiency side of things, it’s nearly identical to the A7 PHEV. The key difference here is obviously the price. Granted, BMWs are nothing if not luxurious, but there are reasons the A7 PHEV costs nearly $30K more. Most of the missing features require the addition of options packages on the BMW 330e.
That said, the BMW 330e is much more of a sports sedan than the Audi A7 PHEV. Though it may only feature 288 horses to the A7’s 362, it offers an Xtraboost function that, like a little hit of nitrous, offers a small burst of power.
The bottom line: when you can get a fully-loaded, fully-optioned BMW for nearly $10K less than the A7, why wouldn’t you choose the Bimmer?
Model | Starting price | Fuel economy (gas only) | Fuel economy (gas + electric) | Driving range | Charging time (Level 2) | Hybrid battery warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Audi A7 Plug-In Hybrid | $70,295 | 29 mpg | 68 MPGe | 24 miles | 2.5 hours | 8-year/100,000-mile |
2022 BMW 330e Plug-In Hybrid | $44,295 | 28 mpg | 71 MPGe | 23 miles | 3 hours | 8-year/80,000-mile |
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Audi A7 PHEV vs. Porsche Cayenne PHEV
The competition here really isn’t very close. If what you’re truly looking for is plug-in hybrid fuel economy, then the Audi A7 PHEV is the obvious choice.
But—and this is a big but—if you’re more interested in performance and you just happen to like the bonus of fuel efficiency, the Cayenne with its 455 ponies behind an electric motor and turbocharged V6 takes the crown.
Model | Starting price | Fuel economy (gas only) | Fuel economy (gas + electric) | Driving range | Charging time (Level 2) | Hybrid battery warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 Audi A7 Plug-In Hybrid | $70,295 | 29 mpg | 68 MPGe | 24 miles | 2.5 hours | 8-year/100,000-mile |
2022 Porsche Cayenne Plug-In Hybrid | $84,650 | 21 mpg | 42 MPGe | 17 miles | 3 hours | 6-year/120,000-mile |
How to save money on car insurance
Finding the perfect plug-in hybrid can be a challenge, but finding one that’s a midsize luxury sedan can feel like searching for Waldo. So, wouldn’t it be nice if finding the ideal
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