Independent Reviews of Audi New and Used Cars

The days when up-market cars with hatchbacks just didn't sell are long forgotten thanks to Audi and its various Sportback models. This A7 is the best looking of the lot, its imperious, sweeping styling clothing all the qualities that make the brand's more established A6 and A8 ranges so successful - effortlessly elegant design, advanced petrol and diesel engines and the option of quattro all-wheel drive. This improved smarter, more sophisticated version is certainly worth stretching to if you can afford to. An appealing combination for sure, but with all that said, it's still true that you've still really got to like Audis to like this car. Every part of it has been designed with a thoroughness that's deeply impressive, if sometimes rather clinical. It is perhaps the definitive expression of how Audi wants you to perceive its brand. Not all executive decisions should be difficult. Here's one you should enjoy making.

The fifth generation Audi A4 offers potent performance in S4 guise - and decent practicality with the Avant body style. This is an estate that doesn't shout about its speed, despite it being faster than ever. Jonathan Crouch reports.

The Audi A6 goes from strength to strength in fifth generation form. Can it make a bid for the crown in the full-Executive segment? Jonathan Crouch reports.

How to sum up a MK3 model Audi S8? It's beautifully finished, rides imperiously, isn't falsely modest and is backed up by a sledgehammer punch of acceleration. It's a car that does so much but makes such little fuss about it. Loyal buyers like it that way, valuing capability and discretion. If you want to get somewhere fast and draw no great attention, the S8 is one of the best cars in the business for the task - which is why it's a vehicle so often targeted by those of extremely high net worth. This third generation version teases out those themes still further. The engine is lower key but harder hitting and the styling will appeal to those who know exactly what those subtle design cues mean. Ultimately, it's a car that credits its owner with a bit of savvy. Someone who demands extreme performance but doesn't want a shouty, showy set of wheels. Sometimes, you see, the car is merely the supporting cast.

The MK1 model S7 Sportback is an Audi meriting a measured approach, a sporting car rather than a sports car, its blend of talents making it a mainstream A7 with a bit extra in hand rather than a hard-riding RS-style Audi that's been tuned back a couple of notches. That in itself is no bad thing. You'll enjoy the S7 for its smooth ride, its effortless engine, the astonishing technology and its slick-shifting transmission. In other words, you'll enjoy it very much. There are obviously more efficient fast executive five-doors available from this period - and sharper ones to drive. But none that for the money, quite share this model's package of power, practicality and panache. And it's one of the modern breed of large executive Audi S model cars that have more about them than simply a big engine up-front, a contender that might even surprise you if in the past, you've limited your options with cars like this to brands like BMW and Porsche. Above all, it's a mature car, one that doesn't have to try too hard, a model that creeps in under the radar. Very desirable, very rare and very, very Audi.