Audi S7 Sportback 2021 Review

Upgraded for 2020, the 2021 Audi S7 Sportback hits the showrooms at $159,500 plus on-road costs. While this doesn’t exactly sound cheap it actually represents a $20,000 saving over the now superseded generation one.

Audi also claims $20,000 worth of additional standard equipment over the previous model, making for a $40K swing in extra value.

That has the S7 sitting above the V6-powered, $133,600 Audi A7 on which it’s based and below the tyre-shredding $224,000 RS 7 with its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.

Distinguishing the S7 from the A7 are black highlighted exterior components like the front grille and a slightly more aggressive body kit which also includes massive 21-inch alloy rims.

Eight colour options are available at no cost and the subtle black highlights are arguably best seen with the contrast of a lighter colour. Our Glacier White test car provides a case in point.

You would expect an extensive equipment list for $160K and the S7 doesn’t disappoint. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, head-up display, keyless start and entry, digital radio, a 705W Bang & Olufsen sound system, 3D satellite navigation, privacy glass, HD matrix LED headlights, heated seats, soft-touch door closing, a powered tailgate with foot gesture control and a panoramic sunroof are all standard.

Perhaps the biggest ticket items are the adaptive air suspension and the luxurious premium Valcona leather interior trimmings.

The S7 also cops Audi’s twin-screen dashboard set-up with haptic feedback and pioneering Virtual Cockpit Display (digital instrument cluster) that be configured to suit individual preferences. It’s still is the envy of all other manufacturers, try as they might.

The 2021 Audi S7 Sportback comes with a full complement of eight cabin airbags in addition to a full complement of driver assistance and safety technologies.

These include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep and steer assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, exit warning, adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, driver attention alert, hill start assist, tyre pressure monitoring and 360-degree camera with front and rear parking sensors.

Sadly, the S7 misses out on the self-parking feature found in the A5, which would come in extremely handy – particularly in a car measuring 4.969 metres long and 1.908 metres wide.

Self-parking aside, the S7 scores the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating curtesy of the donor A7 model back in 2018. The ANCAP breakdown of scores has the S7 scoring 93 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant protection and 81 per cent for vulnerable road user protection.

Of course, the S7 is equipped with Audi’s legendary ‘quattro’ all-wheel drive system to help keep all 331kW safely in check – a little more on that next.

The 2021 Audi S7 Sportback now comes fitted with a 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 supplemented by an electric compressor and a 48-volt mild-hybrid electric system that also has regenerative capabilities.

Replacing the grunty V8 powerplant with a smaller-capacity V6 engine may sound like a backward step but the smaller six-pot actually delivers a similar power output (and 50Nm more torque) to the outgoing unit, with 331kW/600Nm.

These are familiar numbers and indeed the powerplant is familiar from the Audi RS 4 and RS 5, but with the addition of the electric compressor to mitigate turbo lag.

Yes, it does unfortunately miss the V8 soundtrack of its predecessor, but I guess we should appreciate any sound at all as we all know what our future holds!

The 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system adds 6kW and 60Nm to complement the internal combustion engine and can also provide emissions-free coasting between 55-160km/h for 40 second bursts, which helps to deliver a combined fuel consumption figure of just 8.5L/100km.

Helping the S7 claw its way off the line is Audi’s legendary all-wheel drive quattro system. Torque can be distributed up to 70 per cent to the front axle and up to 85 per cent to the rear, from the 40/60 front/rear static split.

What does this mean in layman’s terms? We probably don’t explain this feature enough but basically if the car is suffering from oversteer or a rear-wheel skid the system will proportion more torque to the front axle.

This takes away torque from the rear in an attempt to slow the rear wheels down but more importantly adds torque to the front wheels to speed them up. The car tries to get back to a ‘neutral’ state by taking away front grip. It will do the opposite if the car is in an understeer attitude.

Skilled drivers can exploit this system in a similar fashion to controlling oversteer in a front-wheel drive car by, in fact, getting on the gas – the exact opposite of what you should do in rear-wheel drive machinery. Please don’t try this at home!

This potent combination enables the S7 to accelerate to 100km/h in a claimed 4.6 seconds, which is pretty rapid even by today’s performance standards.

The 2021 Audi S7 Sportback almost personifies the meaning of driving comfort. Demonstrating an enviable ability to soak up bumps as well sit flat through corners when pushed hard, it truly is an all-round performer.

Sitting on massive low-profile 21-inch rubber that would traditionally provide a bone-jarring ride, the combination of air suspension and clever electronics in the S7 makes for superb ride quality – and this is an ‘S’ model, let’s not forget.

The 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 provides effortless shove with a broad 3100rpm peak torque band everywhere between 1900 and 5000rpm, helping all 2030kg of the S7 get up and boogie.

Maximum power is achieved between 5700 and 6700rpm but is rarely needed as it happily ticks over just above idle most of the time.

The electric compressor ensures little lag, but I did find myself using Audi’s ‘drive select’ (Individual, Comfort and Dynamic) in the harder-core Dynamic mode, mostly to mitigate a very slight hesitation when first cracking the throttle.

Steering feel and weight is on the lighter side but thankfully can be ‘stiffened up’ in Dynamic mode to suit individual preferences, and the remaining controls are spot-on for ergonomics and efficiency of movement.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Audi has to be one of the best if not the best when it comes to interior and cockpit execution. The best way to describe it is the combination of a prestigious, high-end feel without over-complication.

The second-row seats offer generous proportions and, even though Audi lists the S7 as 4+1, there’s plenty of room for three occupants across the rear bench for short trips. However, the sloping coupe-style roof design does compromise headroom a touch.

Four-zone climate control, a split/folding rear seat, ISOFIX child attachment points and four USB ports throughout the cabin improve everyday functionality.

The boot space is a generous 535 litres, which extends to 1380L with second row stowed, and the large aperture of the liftback tailgate gives it a bigger feel and comes in handy for awkwardly shaped cargo. Four tie-down points and a handy cargo net provide extra practicality, and a space-saver spare tyre is hidden under the floor.

I get the reason for ‘downsizing’ to six cylinders in the never-ending chase for efficiency, but man there’s something to be said for the emotive sound of a V8.

I think the 2021 Audi S7 Sportback misses it more than most cars – particularly because it’s such a large vehicle with so much presence; there’s something to be said for the picture matching the soundtrack.

Again, I guess we should be thankful for an internal combustion engine at all and, although the small V6 is a far cry from the big V8 of its forebear and the V10s of yesteryear when it comes to sound, its performance can’t be sneezed at. Manufacturers rarely retreat in power and torque numbers and the S7 is no exception.

Sound aside, the 2021 Audi S7 Sportback is a brilliant grand tourer. It’s super quiet, exhibits exemplary ride quality, secure cornering ability and is about as comfortable to drive as the best I’ve ever driven.

Sway the luxury SUV buyer it probably won’t, but for the few remaining fans of large sedans, the latest S7 is about as good as it gets.

Disclaimer: Luke Youlden is a Bathurst 1000 champion, 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup series competitor, Tekworkx Motorsport mentor and chief driving coach, deputy chief instructor for the Porsche Experience and also works for Pilota Sportiva, whose clients include Audi Driving Experience and Volkswagen Group Australia.

How much does the 2021 Audi S7 Sportback cost?
Price: $159,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo petrol V6
Output: 331kW/600Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 199g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2018)