Raving about an Audi interior is commonplace in automotive critiquing circles but there’s a reason why everyone is doing it – it’s because Audi cabins are superb. Some of them are perhaps a touch plain in the aesthetic stakes but they’re always beautifully built, ergonomically spot on and, nowadays, packed with kit. As a car from the top of the Audi range, the A7 has one of the ‘best of the best’ cabins.
There’s a huge transmission tunnel festooned with buttons, which might sound potentially confusing, but typically Audi marks everything clearly and it’s all intuitive to use. The eight-inch display screen that folds out of the dash looks oddly perched when in use, but it’s a nicer way of doing it than the fixed item you’ll find in current Mercs. Ahead of the driver is a seven-inch TFT display between the dials, which also displays information in crystal clear, modern graphics.
Subscribe to evo magazine
OK, it’s not quite as jaw-dropping as the new TT’s interior, with its 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit and its heating controls hidden in the vents, but it’s still wonderful in the A7. Every toy imaginable is either standard fit or on the A7’s options list, so it never wants for tech. Given the A7's age we'd not expect to see Virtual Cockpit making an appearance now, so you'd best wait for its replacement if you want the ultimate in cool interior tech.
Space is good for all occupants, although the sloping roofline does limit rear headroom. It’s only a four-seater, but it has a big 535-litre boot, rising to 1390 litres with the rear seats folded.
