Audi A7/S7
Base Price (incl. destination): $60,995/$79,695
Output: 310 hp, 325 lb-ft/420 hp, 406 lb-ft
Why It Made the List: The words sexy, speedy, and hatchback usually don’t go together.
We named the Audi A7 our 2012 Automobile of the Year for a reason. The A7 may not have moved the needle in technology, powertrain, or segment-busting ideas, but the combination of a powerful 3.0-liter supercharged V-6, sinewy four-door-coupe styling, and an intuitive MMI infotainment system set the A7 apart from the competition. Last year, Audi added the S7 variant, which trades the six-cylinder for a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine and 120 more horsepower. (Look for an even hotter RS7 version for the 2014 model year.)
The fact that the A7 is a hatchback is another factor in its inclusion on this list. The liftback makes the Audi more versatile than its BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class competitors because it gives the A7 a larger trunk than either of its rivals. The A7 is also quick – Audi claims a 0-to-60-mph time of just 5.4 seconds; the run takes only 4.5 seconds in the S7. So not only will your family and all your stuff get on the road quickly, you’ll be riding in style and comfort. Oh, and fuel economy isn’t bad, either: the A7 is rated at 22 mpg combined, the S7 at 20 mpg.
