Audi A7 Sportback review - Practicality, comfort and boot space

By their very nature, big four-door coupes are less practical than the saloon models on which they are based. But the A7 Sportback is better than you might expect, with plenty of space for four adults to get comfortable (and five to squeeze in for short journeys). Those frameless windows for the door glass do help access, while a soft-close option is available, meaning you don't have to slam the doors shut when you close them.

Visibility is a little compromised thanks to thick pillars and that sloping roof, but it’s no worse than in a Porsche Panamera. The multitude of cameras and sensors make parking easier than it looks, while the self-parking function will make the process a doddle. 

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Size 

The A7 Sportback is 4,969mm long, 1,908mm wide and 1,422mm tall. It’s actually ever so slightly shorter than the old model, but it’s fractionally wider and taller. Despite the shorter length Audi has added 10mm to the wheelbase, and increased the overall cabin length by 21mm, improving passenger space. The A8 is a good 200mm longer still, however. 

Leg room, head room & passenger space 

Don’t expect the A7 to be a luxury limousine and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the space on offer. Front seat passengers get loads of head and leg space, with supportive and endlessly adjustable seats. Legroom is improved for rear seat passengers over the old car, and while six footers will find their heads brushing against that sloping roofline, it’s not too bad overall and hardly what you'd call cramped.

Boot

One practicality benefit the A7 has over its saloon siblings is its hatchback-style tailgate. It makes accessing what space there is significantly easier for those with awkwardly-shaped loads. The 535-litre boot is identical in capacity to the previous generation A7, but that’s still better than a Porsche Panamera.

All cars get a power assisted tailgate, so all you need to do is press a button and the hatch will open or close by itself.