Thanks for this review! I opted for the A7 gas'er and also passed on the lane departure assist. The SC'd model also has a bit of off idle lag and then over kicks in but it's a wonderful car.
The torque is outstanding, hp is rather low considering it's got a turbo however it is a diesel, torque makes a car in my opinion, however I would buy this in a gas model because for 70-80k you shouldn't sound like your driving a tricked out tractor, all in all another great car audi the mpg must be staggering (I own a manual 2013 TDI passat, I know it's not the same brand but I absolutely adore the car, it's fun to drive, and 46mpg highway)
In Germany we (almost) all drive Diesel since it's definitely cheaper than Gasoline and on the Autobahn you get much better gas milage with it. Personally I still prefer gasoline powered cars ;)
i really wonder what kind of fuel economy luxury cars would get if the brands weren't "required" by automotive publications to perform at such a high level. if this car can get 38 mpg on the highway and hit 60 in 5.5 seconds, just think how efficient it would be if it got there in 7 or 7.5 seconds. still reasonably quick for 90% of driving conditions (still quicker than most base 4 cylinder family sedans that people love in this country) and may see mid-40's EPA highway estimates. another problem, as with conventional gasoline non-hybrid vehicles, is that the EPA cycles need to be updated. VW's diesels don't hit their most efficient cruising speed until 65 mph. same goes with alot of gasoline engines, which in independent testing are beating their highway figures when driven at 65 mph instead of 48 like in the EPA test.
Man, more people should buy diesel, unless you want top notch performance, it has no downsides. I drove the BMW diesel and it was a lot of fun punching the gas pedal for that thrust.
The best diesel for A6, A7 and A8 is the BiTDI, sounds great, great power and good economy. Should try this engine! (if it exist in US wich I have no Idea)
This is the part that makes me sad. Its almost the end of the year, soon Brian will go on vacation and wont be reviewing cars! :( well deserved vacay brian, be sure and try to do the new mazda 3, fiesta st, and maserati ghibli by year's end, if u can.....
IcemanSam650 I agree completely. I was going to get a new fusion before I saw that you can only get them in SE with ecoboost. starting at around 23k.. I really don't wanna spend that much when I can get a smaller car/used luxury car for less than that :(.
IcemanSam650 You can still get manuals in the base model Fiesta or Focus, and they cost $1000 less than automatic. Ditto the Nissan Versa, Mitsubishi Mirage, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris..... .
electrictroy2010 I understand that, but the more performance orientated models are ditching the manuals and going "dull clutch". I am not interested in those vehicles as they are rated at what 140 HP and below? Not exactly fun to drive...they are aimed at commuters.
While those dual clutch transmissions are good for those who enjoy automatics, I think companies would profit more if they offered manuals. At least special ordering a vehicle with a manual if requested. I was going to buy a 2013 fusion and wanted the base model for price, however they only offered a 6 speed automatic. I absoultely love my dads 2008 fusion 5 speed manual and its fun to drive with only 160hp. A 6 speed in a fusion with 180 hp would be better, and they get better mpgs. So I don't understand why they hardly offer manuals anymore.
ramsank well, that's because it is. Its just an additional engine choice. Also, there technically is no previous model, as this is the first generation but not the first model year. Only a fool of a company would change the design after only 2 years.
Brian Cooley is funny with the diesel clatter remark, didn't he know that clatter silence is only measured with the windows up sealed ? he needs to go back and review the other diesels with the windows down like he did this audi.
Well it is surely a car I not going to have the money to buy. But it does Brian makes the major point about diesel, it isn't worth the price increase. This I find to be true with all diesels in the US. One of the big problems is the price of the fuel. Though I say this I just sold my Honda Hybrid because it started going wrong. Again hybrids don't give the savings they are hyped about. Surely you will save on fuel but then you look at what you give up the added costs and how many years you are going to have to have the car without any thing major going wrong. Hybrids are much more like to have a major issue mechanically because there is much more there to go wrong. Of course another great review. CNET is just getting better and better.
I've had two Mercedes diesels and I'll never do it again. Smelly and hard to find gas stations. About the only thing I enjoyed way back when is SMOKING a tailgater.
***** My understanding and perhaps I'm wrong is that your gas prices are astronomically high...as in twice our USA prices or more. Sure I'd want a high MPG/(KPL) car and diesels are the best choice for 'fuel economy and cost.'
What I like the most about Cooley is his simplicity. He does his job quick and efficiently.
Honestly, cnet is lucky to have someone like cooley onboard.
Thanks for the clip Cooley.
People brag about HP all day long, but I say torque is what makes a car truly fun to drive.
So go drive a bus then, I'm sure you'll have lots of fun.
Walter Black I said torque is what makes it fun...NOT I ONLY want torque.
Thanks for this review! I opted for the A7 gas'er and also passed on the lane departure assist. The SC'd model also has a bit of off idle lag and then over kicks in but it's a wonderful car.
The torque is outstanding, hp is rather low considering it's got a turbo however it is a diesel, torque makes a car in my opinion, however I would buy this in a gas model because for 70-80k you shouldn't sound like your driving a tricked out tractor, all in all another great car audi the mpg must be staggering (I own a manual 2013 TDI passat, I know it's not the same brand but I absolutely adore the car, it's fun to drive, and 46mpg highway)
In Germany we (almost) all drive Diesel since it's definitely cheaper than Gasoline and on the Autobahn you get much better gas milage with it. Personally I still prefer gasoline powered cars ;)
2 Cooley review videos in one day? Early Christmas present!! :D
I am glad you are adding a little recap at the end. Great videos! Thanks!
Great review, Cooley!
i really wonder what kind of fuel economy luxury cars would get if the brands weren't "required" by automotive publications to perform at such a high level. if this car can get 38 mpg on the highway and hit 60 in 5.5 seconds, just think how efficient it would be if it got there in 7 or 7.5 seconds. still reasonably quick for 90% of driving conditions (still quicker than most base 4 cylinder family sedans that people love in this country) and may see mid-40's EPA highway estimates.
another problem, as with conventional gasoline non-hybrid vehicles, is that the EPA cycles need to be updated. VW's diesels don't hit their most efficient cruising speed until 65 mph. same goes with alot of gasoline engines, which in independent testing are beating their highway figures when driven at 65 mph instead of 48 like in the EPA test.
Man, more people should buy diesel, unless you want top notch performance, it has no downsides. I drove the BMW diesel and it was a lot of fun punching the gas pedal for that thrust.
I think the issue is that diesel (at least where I live in the US) is much more expensive per gallon than gasoline. It's like $4.50 vs $3.80
AnonymoussourceL0L I live in Texas and it's, on average, 20 cents more. About $3.30
.
Agree with Cooley on the Diesel noise. Test drove a A8 and A4 TDI, both made alot of diesel noise windows up.
Clatter can be stopped with thicker motor oil.
Did not know that thank you for sharing! How come Audi does not place thicker oil within their engines?
The best diesel for A6, A7 and A8 is the BiTDI, sounds great, great power and good economy. Should try this engine! (if it exist in US wich I have no Idea)
thats the only diesel we have for those models
Great clip Cooley!!
Try to make a video about the new GT3 or the Turbo.
Don't understand why Americans don't like Diesels especially VWs they're brilliant
This is the part that makes me sad. Its almost the end of the year, soon Brian will go on vacation and wont be reviewing cars! :( well deserved vacay brian, be sure and try to do the new mazda 3, fiesta st, and maserati ghibli by year's end, if u can.....
i couldn't tell if it had HID headlights or not....
To get 38 on the highway with AWD is definitely great. I just wish they would make a manual a4/a6 diesel AWD. That would be awesome.
It saddens me that manual transmissions are fading out...hopefully they will continue to make them for the enthusiasts!
IcemanSam650 I agree completely. I was going to get a new fusion before I saw that you can only get them in SE with ecoboost. starting at around 23k.. I really don't wanna spend that much when I can get a smaller car/used luxury car for less than that :(.
IcemanSam650 You can still get manuals in the base model Fiesta or Focus, and they cost $1000 less than automatic. Ditto the Nissan Versa, Mitsubishi Mirage, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris.....
.
electrictroy2010 I understand that, but the more performance orientated models are ditching the manuals and going "dull clutch". I am not interested in those vehicles as they are rated at what 140 HP and below? Not exactly fun to drive...they are aimed at commuters.
While those dual clutch transmissions are good for those who enjoy automatics, I think companies would profit more if they offered manuals. At least special ordering a vehicle with a manual if requested. I was going to buy a 2013 fusion and wanted the base model for price, however they only offered a 6 speed automatic. I absoultely love my dads 2008 fusion 5 speed manual and its fun to drive with only 160hp. A 6 speed in a fusion with 180 hp would be better, and they get better mpgs. So I don't understand why they hardly offer manuals anymore.
gues what, it looks exactly like the last years model, and the model before that model,....
ramsank well, that's because it is. Its just an additional engine choice. Also, there technically is no previous model, as this is the first generation but not the first model year. Only a fool of a company would change the design after only 2 years.
two in one day?? yes!!
Brian Cooley is funny with the diesel clatter remark, didn't he know that clatter silence is only measured with the windows up sealed ? he needs to go back and review the other diesels with the windows down like he did this audi.
Your calculation regarding payback years is totally wrong... It is less than 3 years.
i freaking love audi
honestly i would just get the supercharged v6. a car that looks that good needs a nice gasoline power unit
Lookin' spiffy, Cooley!
Cooley for the win!
well done!
Why is the mpg so different compared to the European model? The same engine in my country gets 40 mpg combined, and over 52 Highway.. Makes no sense.
It can get 50 highway in the US from people testing, it's just not rated at that. Probably something to do with how the EPA rates cars in America.
If im not mistaken the way mpg is calculated in Europe and America is calculated differently which would lead to the discrepancy.
US gallons are not the same in EU. The US gallon is smaller...
checked the website. it does! love it.
A cold day for them is probably 65°F
Patrick Dow 45°F*
I love you cooooooooooooooooollly "NO HOMO"
Well it is surely a car I not going to have the money to buy. But it does Brian makes the major point about diesel, it isn't worth the price increase. This I find to be true with all diesels in the US. One of the big problems is the price of the fuel. Though I say this I just sold my Honda Hybrid because it started going wrong. Again hybrids don't give the savings they are hyped about. Surely you will save on fuel but then you look at what you give up the added costs and how many years you are going to have to have the car without any thing major going wrong. Hybrids are much more like to have a major issue mechanically because there is much more there to go wrong. Of course another great review. CNET is just getting better and better.
FAVorite
I've had two Mercedes diesels and I'll never do it again. Smelly and hard to find gas stations. About the only thing I enjoyed way back when is SMOKING a tailgater.
So not every gas station in the US has diesel?
Project Sky No more like 25% carry diesel at least where I live which is all that matters to me; Florida, USA.
***** My understanding and perhaps I'm wrong is that your gas prices are astronomically high...as in twice our USA prices or more. Sure I'd want a high MPG/(KPL) car and diesels are the best choice for 'fuel economy and cost.'
Run the car on WVO.
If they only knew... #dieselgate
you pronounce it deezul, not deesuhl...
Very unreliable expensive cars