2020 Audi A7 Sportback

Although the powertrain of the A7 is eager, the rest of the package has a tendency to be a bit sterile. The steering is a bit too disconnected from the wheels to be considered high-performance, but inputs are registered quickly and the sedan turns without too much fuss. Taking sharper turns at high speeds can lead to some body roll, but the suspension does a good job of limiting it. Opting for the S-Line packages makes the A7 a little more agile, but it can't keep up with the nimble Porsche Panamera.

The Sportback supplies an extremely plush ride, though. Road abrasions are well dampened by the suspension, and even the firmer sport suspension doesn't transmit much vibration into the cabin. Mid-corner bumps are absorbed with remarkable ease, but taking those turns too fast can adversely affect ride comfort. The top-tier Prestige trim offers the option of installing adaptive chassis damping and all-wheel-steering, which changes the way the sedan behaves on the road. This makes the A7 much more maneuverable at low speeds, while improving its stability at higher speeds. The damping also does a much better job of absorbing road imperfections, delivering a velvety-smooth ride.

Despite the interior being plushly appointed, it doesn't deal well with road and wind noise. These are constant companions during drives, especially at higher speeds. However, neither is overly loud and turning the sound system on to even a low setting can usually drown them out.

When it comes to such expensive luxury vehicles, what makes for a good car can sometimes come down to personal preference rather than empirical facts. There are several areas where the A7 Sportback doesn't really make sense, such as its high price tag and low fuel economy, along with its somewhat cramped rear seats. But if you can afford it, those probably aren't particularly important factors.

The A7 is a lot more expensive than the A6 on which it is based. And for that hike in price, you get a 'sedan' that performs exactly the same, but looks a little sportier than it actually is. The Sportback design does give the A7 quite a decent amount of cargo volume, though, easily trouncing more athletic rivals like the Porsche Panamera and even the luxurious Mercedes-Benz CLS.

What the Audi has in its favor is an extensive list of standard and available features, and the interior is handsomely appointed, if not quite as opulent as the CLS. There are certainly rivals that beat it in certain areas, with the Panamera leaving the less agile A7 in the dust, but the Audi Sportback is a well-rounded vehicle that manages to check most of the boxes on a luxury four-door coupe buyer's list. It is certainly worthy of consideration, and will likely make your final shortlist, if not a spot in your multi-car garage.

The A7 is, quite literally a restyled Audi A6. Both offer the same choice of trims, with access to the same powertrain, although the A6 offers a less powerful inline-four, too. There isn't even a difference in terms of standard and available features. Where the two sedans do differ is in their appearance. The A7 has a sloping roofline and a less square rear end. By virtue of this physical difference, the A7 provides less headroom for passengers than the A6, but it provides quite a bit more cargo space than the A6's measly 13.7 cubic feet, thanks to its hatch-style trunk. However, you pay a lot more for this extra trunk space and the perception of style - $14k, to be exact ($10k if you choose the stronger V6 engine on the A6). The better choice here will come down to your personal taste, and your budget.

As you would expect when stepping up a size and price bracket, the Audi A8 is quite a bit more luxurious than its smaller, cheaper sibling. The base model is powered by the same engine as the A7, but an optional turbocharged V8, developing 453 hp and 487 lb-ft, is available. Regardless of the powertrain you choose, this juggernaut sedan will never approach the athleticism of the A7, even if it is able to accelerate a bit faster. However, it makes up for this is other ways. The interior is utterly opulent, with the most upscale materials used and tech and comfort features up the wazoo. As a car meant to be driven in, rather than to drive, the rear seats are extremely spacious, but this comes at a sacrifice in trunk space, with the A8 only supplying 12.5 cubic feet. With a high starting price of $85,200, the A8 is reserved for those who place opulence and status above utility. The A7 makes more sense, but in this price bracket, rationality doesn't always take center stage.