The only similarities between this 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Prestige and the diesels of yore are the fuel, obviously, the mega-newtons of torque and a slight vibration when sitting at a traffic light. There's no smell, no black smoke and no rattling during warm-up or shutoff.
I'll wager that if you put a few random drivers in similar versions of diesel and non-diesel cars, they'll end up preferring the oil burner pretty quickly. Torque is expectedly amazing, especially off the line, and the overall smoothness of the entire package puts drivers at ease. There's basically no hole this diesel can't slip in and out of with a stiff jab of the pedal.
The ride is surprisingly stiff, even in “auto” mode. That made dodging potholes a full-time job, especially with these 20-inch tires. Thankfully, the steering wheel was up to the job. It's quick and direct without a lot of heft. Normally, I would miss that, but the A7 is a neighborhood cruiser, not a track rat.
The interior exhibited typical Audi quality. Most of the materials felt soft and expensive while the harder surfaces on the dash had a little gleam. The seats weren't quite as soft as I would have liked. A bit more give would have done well to knock out some of that jounce from the big tires. The seat heaters worked great, though.
I threw some golf clubs in the back, and, to my surprise, they wouldn't fit longitudinally or laterally. I had to wedge them in at an angle. I could have folded the seat down, but if I have a foursome coming, we can't take this car. This is something to think about, at least if you're a golfer.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR GRAHAM KOZAK: Noting that today's diesels are
nothing like those bulletproof-if-crude oil burners of the past is
basically a rote exercise at this point, but it's true. If not for the
obnoxious, 18-inch TDI stickers on the side of this A7 (or the more
subtle TDI badges found elsewhere) the average buyer would be
hard-pressed to tell the difference between this and a gasoline-drinker.
Even the glow plug warm-up period is just about on par with in-car
computer boot times these days.
That's a roundabout way of saying that this A7 TDI is just like all the other A7s inside and out once you get past the substance you put in its tank. The interior is well crafted and clean. The exterior is stylish and sculpted; the body style is practical for day-to-day family travel, grocery-getting, etc.
The relatively lengthy interval between fill-ups is probably the most noticeable difference between this car and a gasoline A7. There's not much of an engine note; it remains quick by any objective measure, especially for a non-sport sedan, but there's still a hint of lag when you hit the accelerator. Again, not something unique to the diesel, and once you get going, the motor just doesn't seem to quit spooling out power. Throwing the shifter into “S” mode cuts into fuel economy, but it does improve throttle response from both a stop and at highway speeds.
The A7 TDI is good. It's just good in all the ways that a regular A7 is good. It's not really unique, just a different take on an already competent sporty luxury sedan.
So why isn't everyone running out to get one, or at least giving it the same consideration as the gasoline car? Leaving aside Americans' relative unfamiliarity with the fuel, you'll pay a few grand more for a diesel car. And then you pay considerably more at the pump, which can take some doing to find, depending on where you live.
Paying these dual premiums makes sense only if you plan on doing a lot of driving during your time owning the car. I will say that it's a hell of a lot more comfortable to drive around in this thing than it is to deal with air travel, so if you're fed up with the TSA but still want the freedom to cross the continent in luxury, this would be a really good bet.
The 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Prestige comes in at a base price of $67,795 with our tester topping off at $81,395.
SENIOR ROAD TEST EDITOR NATALIE NEFF: We've been singing the
praises of diesel power 'round these parts for as long as I've counted
myself among the Autoweek ranks. That's going on 15 years now. And in
all that time, it seems to me we've failed to point out one major
downside, or at least we've seriously minimized it. Yes, diesel is
torquey and not nearly as clattery as the oil burners we remember from
the Carter and Reagan eras. It's a more efficient and a cleaner-burning
technology than ever. In so many ways, automakers and engine makers have
made massive strides in erasing the differences between gasoline and
diesel engine operation, and for this we've appropriately gushed.
But I still hate having to fill up a diesel vehicle. No matter how much you mute that characteristic compression-ignition sound, or how much you reduce the time it takes for glow plugs to reach operating temps, or how much range per tank you can enjoy, when the fuel gauge gets low, you still have to wrap your hands around a messy, oily, stinky pump to fill the tank. Frankly, I hate it.
Then there's the smell of the actual exhaust fumes, which might not be that obvious 80 percent of the time you use the vehicle, but let it idle for more than a minute and you can't escape that truck-stop stench. Blech.
I'm totally not trying to be a diesel naysayer. I rather enjoy the on-road performance of a good diesel-powered vehicle like this Audi A7 as much as the next person. I just feel we've neglected pointing out that handling the fuel still sucks, 'cause it does.
The diesel six pot in the 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Prestige provides 240 hp with a staggering 428 lb-ft of torque.
ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: I can't disagree with Natalie
about diesel pumps usually being dirty. It's certainly a tradeoff with
having a diesel-powered vehicle, but one silver lining is that you go
longer between fill-ups because diesels do boast insane mileage ranges.
Just keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the center console for the times
when you do encounter a particularly nasty pump.
It's a $2,400 price premium to upgrade to the turbocharged diesel V6 in the A7 from the supercharged gas-burning V6. Of course, the gas engine packs more horsepower with 310 compared to the diesel's 240, but it's about the torque, baby! You've got 428 lb-ft of twist from just 1,750 rpm with the TDI, which handily overpowers the gas engine's 325 lb-ft at 2,900 rpm. The torque helps the A7 get going from a standstill in rapid fashion; blending in with expressway traffic while merging becomes a simple affair.
Not surprisingly, the unison between the engine and the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is a good one. Cue up Dynamic mode in the Audi Drive Select system and engine performance feels punchier, while steering tightens some. You genuinely can have a good time behind the wheel of the A7 TDI. Is it as much fun as our long-term S7? Probably not, but the S7 is a fair bit more expensive, too.
So we've got a powertrain that brings plenty of thrust and a chassis that's up to snuff and holds its own through bends. It always stays tied down when driven hard and features a solid ride quality that doesn't even come close to beating you up.
The cabin holds no surprises, either, with nice materials throughout like matte wood-trim pieces and lots of soft-touch surfaces. MMI remains my favorite infotainment system from a luxury-car manufacturer, and the Bang & Olufsen sound system is stellar. The only thing it lacks is more supportive seats. I slid around a bit and I really wished I were sitting in the sport seats like in our long-term S7.
Do I think the $2,400 premium to get an A7 with the diesel engine is worth it? Can I get past the not-so-clean diesel fuel pumps? I will have to say absolutely.
As-Tested Price: $81,395
Drivetrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6; AWD, eight-speed automatic
Output: 240 hp @ 3,500 rpm, 428 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm
Curb Weight: 4,266 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 24/38/29 mpg
AW Observed Fuel Economy: 25.7 mpg
Options: Bang & Olfusen advanced sound system ($5,900); A7 Prestige model package including S line interior, four-zone climate control, ambient lighting, Bose sound system, front seat ventilation, power adjustable steering column & memory, auto-dimming, power-folding, heated exterior mirrors, Audi adaptive lights & cornering lights, Audi side assist ($2,900); driver assistance package including Audi adaptive cruise control w/ stop & go, Audi pre sense plus, Audi active lane assist, corner view camera ($2,800); 19-inch sport package including 19-inch 5-double-spoke wheels, all-season tires, sport suspension, 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel w/ shift paddles ($1,000); 20-inch sport package including 20-inch 10-parallel-spoke-design wheels, summer tires ($500); Glacier White Metallic paint ($500)
I'll wager that if you put a few random drivers in similar versions of diesel and non-diesel cars, they'll end up preferring the oil burner pretty quickly. Torque is expectedly amazing, especially off the line, and the overall smoothness of the entire package puts drivers at ease. There's basically no hole this diesel can't slip in and out of with a stiff jab of the pedal.
The ride is surprisingly stiff, even in “auto” mode. That made dodging potholes a full-time job, especially with these 20-inch tires. Thankfully, the steering wheel was up to the job. It's quick and direct without a lot of heft. Normally, I would miss that, but the A7 is a neighborhood cruiser, not a track rat.
The interior exhibited typical Audi quality. Most of the materials felt soft and expensive while the harder surfaces on the dash had a little gleam. The seats weren't quite as soft as I would have liked. A bit more give would have done well to knock out some of that jounce from the big tires. The seat heaters worked great, though.
I threw some golf clubs in the back, and, to my surprise, they wouldn't fit longitudinally or laterally. I had to wedge them in at an angle. I could have folded the seat down, but if I have a foursome coming, we can't take this car. This is something to think about, at least if you're a golfer.
That's a roundabout way of saying that this A7 TDI is just like all the other A7s inside and out once you get past the substance you put in its tank. The interior is well crafted and clean. The exterior is stylish and sculpted; the body style is practical for day-to-day family travel, grocery-getting, etc.
The relatively lengthy interval between fill-ups is probably the most noticeable difference between this car and a gasoline A7. There's not much of an engine note; it remains quick by any objective measure, especially for a non-sport sedan, but there's still a hint of lag when you hit the accelerator. Again, not something unique to the diesel, and once you get going, the motor just doesn't seem to quit spooling out power. Throwing the shifter into “S” mode cuts into fuel economy, but it does improve throttle response from both a stop and at highway speeds.
The A7 TDI is good. It's just good in all the ways that a regular A7 is good. It's not really unique, just a different take on an already competent sporty luxury sedan.
So why isn't everyone running out to get one, or at least giving it the same consideration as the gasoline car? Leaving aside Americans' relative unfamiliarity with the fuel, you'll pay a few grand more for a diesel car. And then you pay considerably more at the pump, which can take some doing to find, depending on where you live.
Paying these dual premiums makes sense only if you plan on doing a lot of driving during your time owning the car. I will say that it's a hell of a lot more comfortable to drive around in this thing than it is to deal with air travel, so if you're fed up with the TSA but still want the freedom to cross the continent in luxury, this would be a really good bet.
The 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Prestige comes in at a base price of $67,795 with our tester topping off at $81,395.
But I still hate having to fill up a diesel vehicle. No matter how much you mute that characteristic compression-ignition sound, or how much you reduce the time it takes for glow plugs to reach operating temps, or how much range per tank you can enjoy, when the fuel gauge gets low, you still have to wrap your hands around a messy, oily, stinky pump to fill the tank. Frankly, I hate it.
Then there's the smell of the actual exhaust fumes, which might not be that obvious 80 percent of the time you use the vehicle, but let it idle for more than a minute and you can't escape that truck-stop stench. Blech.
I'm totally not trying to be a diesel naysayer. I rather enjoy the on-road performance of a good diesel-powered vehicle like this Audi A7 as much as the next person. I just feel we've neglected pointing out that handling the fuel still sucks, 'cause it does.
The diesel six pot in the 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Prestige provides 240 hp with a staggering 428 lb-ft of torque.
It's a $2,400 price premium to upgrade to the turbocharged diesel V6 in the A7 from the supercharged gas-burning V6. Of course, the gas engine packs more horsepower with 310 compared to the diesel's 240, but it's about the torque, baby! You've got 428 lb-ft of twist from just 1,750 rpm with the TDI, which handily overpowers the gas engine's 325 lb-ft at 2,900 rpm. The torque helps the A7 get going from a standstill in rapid fashion; blending in with expressway traffic while merging becomes a simple affair.
Not surprisingly, the unison between the engine and the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission is a good one. Cue up Dynamic mode in the Audi Drive Select system and engine performance feels punchier, while steering tightens some. You genuinely can have a good time behind the wheel of the A7 TDI. Is it as much fun as our long-term S7? Probably not, but the S7 is a fair bit more expensive, too.
So we've got a powertrain that brings plenty of thrust and a chassis that's up to snuff and holds its own through bends. It always stays tied down when driven hard and features a solid ride quality that doesn't even come close to beating you up.
The cabin holds no surprises, either, with nice materials throughout like matte wood-trim pieces and lots of soft-touch surfaces. MMI remains my favorite infotainment system from a luxury-car manufacturer, and the Bang & Olufsen sound system is stellar. The only thing it lacks is more supportive seats. I slid around a bit and I really wished I were sitting in the sport seats like in our long-term S7.
Do I think the $2,400 premium to get an A7 with the diesel engine is worth it? Can I get past the not-so-clean diesel fuel pumps? I will have to say absolutely.
2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Prestige
Base Price: $67,795As-Tested Price: $81,395
Drivetrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6; AWD, eight-speed automatic
Output: 240 hp @ 3,500 rpm, 428 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm
Curb Weight: 4,266 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 24/38/29 mpg
AW Observed Fuel Economy: 25.7 mpg
Options: Bang & Olfusen advanced sound system ($5,900); A7 Prestige model package including S line interior, four-zone climate control, ambient lighting, Bose sound system, front seat ventilation, power adjustable steering column & memory, auto-dimming, power-folding, heated exterior mirrors, Audi adaptive lights & cornering lights, Audi side assist ($2,900); driver assistance package including Audi adaptive cruise control w/ stop & go, Audi pre sense plus, Audi active lane assist, corner view camera ($2,800); 19-inch sport package including 19-inch 5-double-spoke wheels, all-season tires, sport suspension, 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel w/ shift paddles ($1,000); 20-inch sport package including 20-inch 10-parallel-spoke-design wheels, summer tires ($500); Glacier White Metallic paint ($500)
