A7 vs ES 350h
Rivals in the midsize luxury car class rarely match spec for spec, and the A7 and the ES 350h are no exception. This isn’t a case of one being simply better. The A7 leads in engine & performance, the ES 350h in fuel economy & range, and both leads are real.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance A7 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range ES 350h wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Fuel Economy & Range3.4
- Fuel Economy & Range10.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The ES 350h has better fuel economy
The A7 is clearly behind on fuel economy (combined) (25 mpg against 46 mpg), and that’s one of its biggest weak spots in this matchup. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
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The A7 has 91 hp more power
On this line of the spec sheet, the A7 is in a different league: 335 hp, next to 244 hp for the ES 350h. The A7’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The ES 350h has better city fuel economy
For fuel economy (city), the ES 350h leads by a wide margin: 48 mpg versus 22 mpg. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the ES 350h starts from a better baseline.
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The ES 350h has better highway fuel economy
This is a headline difference. With 44 mpg to the A7’s 30 mpg, the ES 350h has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | A7 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 202.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 75.6 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 61.2 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 116.1 in |
Engine & Performance
A7 leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the A7 leads the engine & performance section with room to spare. The A7 comes with 91 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. Bottom line for engine & performance: the A7 has the edge.
Total system output
A7: 335 hp ES 350h: 244 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Fuel Economy & Range
ES 350h leads
No contest in fuel economy & range: the ES 350h is the stronger of the two. The ES 350h takes this one with better fuel economy. The ES 350h uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. Net result: the ES 350h leads this part of the comparison.
Fuel economy (combined)
A7: 25 mpg ES 350h: 46 mpg Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
Fuel economy (city)
A7: 22 mpg ES 350h: 48 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the off-road & towing section; the two are too close to separate. Don’t let off-road & towing decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Safety & Tech
Here the spec sheet speaks in model names and types. Compare the A7 and the ES 350h row by row in the table below.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A7 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas (48V mild hybrid) | Hybrid |
| Engine | 3.0L turbo V6 | 2.5L I4 hybrid |
| Total system output | 335 hp (winner) | 244 hp Least powerful in class |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) | eCVT |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A7 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 25 mpg | 46 mpg (winner) Most efficient in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | 22 mpg | 48 mpg (winner) Best city economy |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 30 mpg | 44 mpg (winner) Best highway economy |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 14.5 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A7 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | N/A (not specified) | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 13.3 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A7 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A7 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 14 in |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | A7 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 202.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 75.6 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 61.2 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 116.1 in |
Price
| Spec | A7 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | N/A (not specified) | $49,700 Lowest price in class |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the A7 if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (335 hp vs 244 hp)
- you already know your way around Audi’s products
Choose the ES 350h if…
- you drive a lot and want lower running costs (46 mpg vs 25 mpg combined)
- you mostly drive in town (48 mpg vs 22 mpg in the city)
- you want better highway fuel economy (44 mpg vs 30 mpg)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the A7 or the ES 350h?
It depends on your priorities: the A7 is stronger on engine & performance, while the ES 350h leads on fuel economy & range.
Executive Summary
I don’t have a favorite brand in this fight between the A7 and the ES 350h. I just have opinions about the numbers. If I had to name one reason, it’s that the A7 brings 91 hp more power. The ES 350h’s strongest argument is better fuel economy.
Think about your week. Heavy on engine & performance? The A7. More about fuel economy & range? The ES 350h.
My pick: whichever matches your priority, since engine & performance means the A7 and fuel economy & range means the ES 350h.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.