#NAIAS: All-new Audi A7 Appears In The States For The FIRST Time — How Do YOU Like It In These Real-Life Snaps?

Nope. Still not feeling it. Brrrrr

Thankfully it remains far better looking than the Audi Camry (A6) and the Audi Avalon (A8).

So, for the minuses...
*The era of the beautiful "low cowl" Audi cockpits is over
*Touch screens are proliferating
*exterior styling sort of odd

For the pluses...
*From now on, it seems that all VWGroup premium cars will have interiors that copy the admittedly premium details from the Porsche Panamera and the Bentley Continental GT.

All great points.

Regarding your VWAG comment, I think that the Panamera is the one vehicle that essentially holds them all together. It's just a matter of tweaking before each marque arrives at their own look/feel.

Audi "boredom in engineering"

Audi driver here. I'm likely driving my first, and LAST Audi. I don't like Audi's styling direction. Big NO, big time :-(

I don't think it's brutally ugly, but it makes me go, "Oh... that thing."

I hear you, but in all fairness the all-new SQ5 seems to be a pretty cool ride.

What would your next Audi be, assuming the designs were on point?

Agent00R wrote "...What would your next Audi be, assuming the designs were on point?..."

That's hard to say, because of their current designs. I used to love the A5 and was about to get one when I decided on my Q5. I used to love the R8, until they changed to their current look, and killed the V8 option. I love my current Q5 (late 1st Gen), but it may turn out to be my first and LAST Audi, as I don't care for their styling direction, inside or out, or their trim level packages.

When I got my Q5, the mid-trim level excluded GPS and a sunroof, neither of which I wanted (a couple grand apiece). Great! That let me *not* pay for what I didn't want, which let me put my money into only the options I wanted. I was lucky to get a rockin' great value this way. I'm sad to say, Audi doesn't currently make anything that interests me... and I'm an Audi driver :-/

That's *NOT* to suggest that everything they make is crap. It just doesn't appeal to me specifically. I'm sure Audi has a new audience to which their new designs appeal.

The interior HVAC controls are ridiculous. Everything about it is just trying too hard.

Agreed! Very unnecessary.

I've had a bad experience with an S4 I use to drive. The electrics were wonky — no surprise, coming from Audi. Can't imagine the headaches this one will have.

supermoto: +1.

I so agree with you. Audi's interiors used to be amongst the best. They were functional, stylish, no video-game gimmickry. And they looked great, tool. Oh well :-/

Yawn.

GEE - another AUDI - hard to miss - it looks like they all have for several decades now. Oh - there are little changes here and there - if you get close up. From a distance - an A3 looks like and A8 - which is why the A8 has no recognition or prestige.

At one time - in the USA - they changed the styling of cars almost every year - yet - they retained certain elements that identified the brand - GM with Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell were great at that. ANd still - there were certain things about the car of a brand that clearly identified the top of the line too. Today - AUDI has just about defied the obvious -by changing their cars exterior as little as possible and making no obvious differentiation among segments. ANd they sell mostly small cars - because at least THEY look like an A8 for much less money.

The Audi Panamera is looking a bit too vanilla. Any chance can select different steering wheel than that ugly one? Also not sure about the approach to go all-screen with the interior. 5/10

I don't get all the hate when it comes to Audi. You guys are talking about the cars looking alike... So does Mercedes and BMW. I can't tell and C, E or S class apart from the front or back and only from the side because of the length. However, all 3 are selling well, especially Audi as they continue to break records. You can get the DNA of a brand in a car and change other things about it and still be successful. I own several Audi's but I don't play mid-trim games, I always go with Prestige models of whichever one I pick. I personally like the A7, not in white though, and considering that for my next car if I can't get my hands on an RS5 Sportback. I'm also very happy they are going to touch screens. They can be used way better than moving a dail or even writing on the touchpad. Find a 04-08 Acura TL and use the Nav and controls for 30 minutes and you will see what I am saying.

Nice but I think I prefer the CLS

I also don't understand the Audi hate. I think the exterior is sharp. The dash is a bit "I, Robot" and lacking warmth, but I suppose wood would look out of place too. However, the dash is neither unattractive nor does it look like it lacks quality materials or construction. Finally,touch screens are good. I found them very useful in my Jag and Lexus. Dialing in info via a controller is a drag.

I don’t think it’s that bad an this is still my favorite Audi.