Used tow car test
This large, luxurious car tows well and is a pleasure to drive, says Euan Doig
Audi A7 Sportback (2010-2017)
IT WOULD BE so easy to disparage the Audi A7 Sportback. It’s a big old luxurious barge with loads of kit, but the carmaker already has one of those, in the shape of the A6. Why on earth would a tow car buyer want to choose a vehicle that has notably less practicality over one of those?
But this would be to ignore the fact that at some stage, you’re going to have to open your eyes and actually look at it, at which point the decision to go for an A7 Sportback becomes much easier. Quite simply, it’s a stunner, and is almost guaranteed to make you feel pretty good about life every time you clap eyes on it.
What’s it like inside?
That distinct feeling of “Oh yes” remains just as strong when you get inside. When it was new to the market, the A7’s interior was one of Audi’s finest ever, and the passing years have not diluted that impression.
The materials throughout feel sumptuous, and they have been screwed together with exceptional care, so squeaks and rattles are going to be very much the exception rather than the norm.
There’s also ample space for four people to travel in luxury (a fifth person would be deeply uncomfortable), and that swooping roofline doesn’t impinge on rear headroom as much as you’d expect. Better still, the 535-litre boot will accommodate more
than a couple of big suitcases, and the tailgate is electrically operated.
Entry-level SE versions are provided with Bluetooth, sat nav, cruise control, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, and a DAB radio. Not bad, then. S-line models added styling enhancements and sports suspension, but that just serves to spoil the ride quality.
How does it drive?
The 215bhp 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine is the perfect choice, because it’s strong and smooth and doesn’t drink much, and of course, the Quattro four-wheel-drive system makes light work of towing on slippery surfaces.
There have been some complaints that the Multitronic gearbox fitted to lower-powered diesels gives the car an overly relaxed feel, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you’re towing a caravan.
If your budget can stretch to it, there’s a 313bhp twin-turbodiesel version, which has the strength to make you forget you’ve got something attached to your towbar.
The ride in the A7 Sportback is really sumptuous, no matter whether you have the standard springs-and-shocks suspension, or the air suspension. As mentioned above, S-line simply makes the ride too hard, so is worth avoiding.
Verdict
Audi’s A7 Sportback is an elegant, luxurious car that also happens to be good at towing. It will make every journey feel like an event, whether it’s hitched up or not.
‘The ride in the A7 Sportback is really sumptuous, no matter whether you have standard or air suspension’