I think the A7 is a winner, if some buy it also as their family car (5th seat is optional i think). If not, then you just decide by the looks and performance. I would take all of them only with a 3.0 diesel, good economy and faster than enough for everyday driving. I like the A7, but i dont like that audis are all looking the same. Id probably choose the CLS, especially love the front, and the rear lights are brutal in night. Everyday I see my neighbors CLS I look at it with awe and drool. :D
Good review.. Interior and tech goodies I think go to Audi...as does daily driving with Quattro and biggest hatch... Overall comfort and driving dynamics go to the Porsche and exterior looks goes to the merc... Guess it really does come down to which thing your most into... I like to drive, I'd take the panamera.. If I (and I do) have another sports car, I'd take the a7
Same for me, but a new car in like 6 years... if it would be right now I would go for the merc. The deciding factor for me is mostly how the A7 trunk is made, I don't really like hatchbacks and I feel like the A7 is not as a curvy at the back than the CLS. So yeah CLS.
I have an A7 and I have read almost every article on the internet about all 3 rides. If you go V8 Panamera then this is the obvious choice. The A7 is actually faster than the V6 Panamera but never mind that.. Bottom line I agree Audi could have spent more time on the interior and put nicer seats but when you add in the google earth navigation along with all the other technology, quattro, 24 cubic ft of cargo space, super charged V6, the A7 with it's lower price is hell of a steal.
Inside of the Porsche is amazing! However I prefer the older look of the CLS, and the A7 is great too, there are some cars who look better in front of your eyes than on the screen, and A7 is one of them. Conclusion.. The best or nothing!
What is the point of the coupe sedan design if the the back window doesn't go up? This decreases cargo access which is a huge advantage of hatchbacks over traditional sedans. Given its age they have had more time to work out anyt kinks on the CLS but this is a dealbreaker for me.
Well... 12 years later we can see that the A7 is much more expensive second-hand, given that it is a car that refuses to age, a timeless car that was made to be technological and modern. The CLS is good, but it has a more Vintage style.
Great review as always Mat. I seen a panamera the other day and i must say it was not as "ugly" as it looks in the pictures. Would love a review of the new C class coupe. :) thanks for the great videos
i'll take the cls if it can fit a 5th passenger but here in my country the audi a7's configuration means it can seat a fifth passenger albeit someone shorter.
I see where you're coming from but the original CLS actually created the whole style/niche of 4-door coupes. So that would make it the father or grandfather even.
A7 looks like it was designed by robots or a computer program, the CLS and the Panamera look like they were designed by artists with a passion for beautiful cars. CLS takes it tough. Panamera looks great but very odd from some angles.
Great review Mat! For me there's something wrong with the A7 look and Mercedes looks cool only on the side - the front is same old boring. So if the money was no issue and I'd have to choose out of these three, I'd choose Porche. But I'm happy enough with my new Sportage :))
When it comes to putting money down onto only one car.. An evaluation is needed! Yes! All these cars are subliminal, BUT, at the end of the day, I'd compare every car in the class and see which one is best and whether it is in the same price bracket..
Audi A7 is the best build, have the best interior, the best equipment, the best quality, very good engines, very good handling. Simply the perfect CAR.
@wmomarko Did you ever saw the interiors of the audis? Usualy allot better than the bmw's and mercs of its class 1 thing i still don't get is that they call these cars 4doors coupes. The way i see it is that the panamera and the a7 are 5drs hatchbacks and the cls a 4drs saloon.
Id take the Audi because I personally am just fond of them. But the CLS is beautiful. Its fast, smooth, and oozes prestige. Dont let any fan-boys from Audi tell you different. Panamera just not what Im looking for in this class of car.
it has unbeatable presence on the daily commute (where they will be seen mostly) even the audi drivers pull out of the way off the porsche when it comes up behind them, which is rare because audi drivers often think they own the road The porsche is a true supercar of an executive whereas the others are just sporty
@Jack THANK YOUUUUU.... I thought I was the only one with the balls to say putting a porche label on a odd station wagon does not make it more appealing to the eye....smdh... For some reason so many people love the look of that panamerra... "the eye of the beholder" I guess
out of all three I'd take the Panamera, but if i had to choose only between Audi and Merc - hmm, that would be tough choice, i think i'd choose the Audi.
The input surface for letters it's impractical in the UK, because it's located in the left. And if you are right-handed, you canreach it with the right hand only if you turn around to the left, or you can write with the left hand. Audi teaches people be ambidextrous lol. But, that surface is usefull in the rest of the world. Thanks Audi! Someday I will afford an A7. :D
Sure, one of these cars is the best, but its only the personal taste. The taste decides, not only the Money. Primarily the cars are all on a high (maybe same) level.
I'm trying to decide if I should get a Mercedes S550 or the Panamera. I know Mercedes makes the best cars but that Panamera is LIVE!!! I wonder how durable the PP is?
There is also the BMW 6 Gran Coupe that while in my opinion, is the best looker, it demands too high of a price for a 315 hp I6 when you could get a Merc with a V8 for just 1-2 grand more and offers no obvious advantages to the A7.
I love the Audi A7, I always have, but in terms of exterior design, Interior design, driving dynamics and prestige the Mercedes CLS simply looks far more superior to that of its rivals. Its design is so much more aggressive opposed to the more conservative and fluidic design of the Audi A7. The A7 is a great car but I would be fooling myself f I said the CLS wasn't as good.
@Fredrinski However, the A7 is more practical and still better than the CLS. Audi is designed to be Practical + Stylish and full of technology & not only looking good
Kias are simple and easy to use as well so are they better? (Yes i know the designer is the same guy) also CLS is hardly confusing, mercedes is the best interior
come on dude, 550 liters or so, of Audis trunk is sooo good, but 445 liters in the Panamera is not enough for 4 people? Other than that, you can sleep in the A7 if you put down the rear seats.
Panamera is Top 1, it is true that it is expensive......... Between A7 and CLS I would say I like the CLS front view is very sexy but overall A7 design rocks is more sporty and the price is better. Mercedes Benz are more reliable but is more expensive. Just my personal opinion, I am not a expert like many of you here :P. The best one is BMW 6 gran coupe :P
FINALLY ! SOMEONE WHO AGREES! So, when I went to the Audi Dealer in SanFrancisco, I was interested in the A7, and hands down is beautiful on the outside! But when you open the door, I was really Really disappointed. The craftmans ship just was not there. It felt plasticy and uninspired. I felt as if the Audi Designers were inexperienced and new at thier job. Oh wait, they were... Audi just isn't on par with Mercedes in terms of interior design, and I'd much prefer Mercedes' traditional styling.
Yap, Audi is way above Mercedes and for some reason it grew 3x faster than its competitors. Audi in design is light years ahead of Mercedes' Vintage design. The only brand that can have an interior as beautiful as Audi (apart from Porsche which is designed to compete with Maserati) is BMW. 12 years later we can see that the A7 is much more expensive than a CLS that looks like a 2003 car.
Have to say I just love my CLS.its a great car.
yeah. it is a very fun car to drive i have an 2011 mercedes cls 350 with amg kit and it is so good better than the audi a7
Steak Bot It’s Not better than the A7
Steak Bot does it have more interior space than the a7?
I think the A7 is a winner, if some buy it also as their family car (5th seat is optional i think). If not, then you just decide by the looks and performance. I would take all of them only with a 3.0 diesel, good economy and faster than enough for everyday driving.
I like the A7, but i dont like that audis are all looking the same. Id probably choose the CLS, especially love the front, and the rear lights are brutal in night.
Everyday I see my neighbors CLS I look at it with awe and drool. :D
so glad Mat has changed his review style. Here, he just sounds like Tiff from 5th gear.
cant compare the panamera s with the base non-S a7...
CLS looks Amazing !!!
Mercedes CLS! The best or nothing!!!!
A7 FTW Hands DOWN , it's barley perfect !!
"A looks that only a mother could love", ho Matt you killed me there.
Even the latest CLS has such a tiny tiny LCD screen.
Mercedes CLS looks the nicest and has the best interior and the petrol 3.5 does 41 mpg?!!! incredible. from a BMW fan
Good review.. Interior and tech goodies I think go to Audi...as does daily driving with Quattro and biggest hatch... Overall comfort and driving dynamics go to the Porsche and exterior looks goes to the merc... Guess it really does come down to which thing your most into... I like to drive, I'd take the panamera.. If I (and I do) have another sports car, I'd take the a7
Picking between these two for my first car (used 2012 models, not new though) and can't pick between audi or the merc!
Same for me, but a new car in like 6 years... if it would be right now I would go for the merc. The deciding factor for me is mostly how the A7 trunk is made, I don't really like hatchbacks and I feel like the A7 is not as a curvy at the back than the CLS. So yeah CLS.
This Mercedes will age very well imo, also amazing build quality 👌 a future collectable car for sure!
I have an A7 and I have read almost every article on the internet about all 3 rides. If you go V8 Panamera then this is the obvious choice. The A7 is actually faster than the V6 Panamera but never mind that.. Bottom line I agree Audi could have spent more time on the interior and put nicer seats but when you add in the google earth navigation along with all the other technology, quattro, 24 cubic ft of cargo space, super charged V6, the A7 with it's lower price is hell of a steal.
Get a S7 then
Best looks:
1. Mercedes CLS
2. Audi A7
3. Porsche Panamera
Inside of the Porsche is amazing! However I prefer the older look of the CLS, and the A7 is great too, there are some cars who look better in front of your eyes than on the screen, and A7 is one of them. Conclusion.. The best or nothing!
good choice, i'm impressed. The CLS really is a satisfaction
What is the point of the coupe sedan design if the the back window doesn't go up? This decreases cargo access which is a huge advantage of hatchbacks over traditional sedans. Given its age they have had more time to work out anyt kinks on the CLS but this is a dealbreaker for me.
Absolutely LOVE carbuyer and Autoexpress!!!
Why compare two v8 cars to a v6 diesel? Bringing a S7 should be more fair.
wish i could have the Panemera's interior and engine, with the practicality of the Audi, and the looks of the CLS
I have a CLS and I've test driven an A7 and I'm just gonna say theres a reason why the A7 is $10,000 less than a CLS
GongoLongo which one had more interior space for passengers in the back/front?
Well... 12 years later we can see that the A7 is much more expensive second-hand, given that it is a car that refuses to age, a timeless car that was made to be technological and modern. The CLS is good, but it has a more Vintage style.
Where are the automatic upcoming spoilers on the back of the A7 and Panamera?
Thank you,my 20 years old girl Friend got it 4.6.2020 great quality car🙏👍Audi A7 Diesel
i prefer the first generation cls but i love audis dashboard looks great shame it doesnt look as good on the outside
all 3 amazing. but mercedes is on another level :D
Great review as always Mat. I seen a panamera the other day and i must say it was not as "ugly" as it looks in the pictures. Would love a review of the new C class coupe. :) thanks for the great videos
i'll take the cls if it can fit a 5th passenger but here in my country the audi a7's configuration means it can seat a fifth passenger albeit someone shorter.
I use panamera and love its engine sound and maneuverability.I think the best one is panamera.But my ex car was Mercedes E class.It was also grateful.
Thank you :-) You are a very friendly person. And sorry, for my bad english.
All three are brilliant cars in their own right. Personal preference is the A7. :)
1. CLS
2. Panamera
3. A7
the new cls looks like a mixture between a c and an e class. i like the old one better
I still prefer the CLS.
I see where you're coming from but the original CLS actually created the whole style/niche of 4-door coupes. So that would make it the father or grandfather even.
A7 looks like it was designed by robots or a computer program, the CLS and the Panamera look like they were designed by artists with a passion for beautiful cars. CLS takes it tough. Panamera looks great but very odd from some angles.
Great review!
I think Mercedes currently makes one of the best looking steering wheels out there
I mentioned I have a CLS.
Great review Mat! For me there's something wrong with the A7 look and Mercedes looks cool only on the side - the front is same old boring. So if the money was no issue and I'd have to choose out of these three, I'd choose Porche. But I'm happy enough with my new Sportage :))
What about the BMW 6 series Gran Coupe? I´m sure its a good candidate for one of the best in this segment.
1. Audi A7
2. Porsche Panamera
3. Mercesdes CLS
@boszKarola LOL a 2003 Mercedes CLS?? Um I'm pretty sure the CLS didn't come out till 2006 so.......
@Porschefanatic100 Thank you,
Finally I hear someone defend panamera's like that.
They really are freeggin beautiful
We have different perspectives I guess but the back of the Sportback A7 looks like the CLS
I'd go with Merc as well!
When it comes to putting money down onto only one car.. An evaluation is needed!
Yes! All these cars are subliminal, BUT, at the end of the day, I'd compare every car in the class and see which one is best and whether it is in the same price bracket..
1CLS
2Porsche
3 Audi
i love all these cars and car brands but cls and porsche really stand out to me
Mercedes Benz all the way...
Love u Benz
@edge160 Have you ever driven the petrol audi? I know you havent cause noone can say that engine is lacking power
When Tesla finally gets their Model S out come June 22, I would like to see comparisons with these.
I love finding comments like these
Germans......They compete with theirselves :-)German cars......There is nothing to say.All of them wonderful.
will there be an S7 model?
@onraj9mm :O:O:O:O i cant believe you just said that... the A7 is GORGEOUS!!
Really want a comparison between BMW 6 Series gran coupe and Mercedes CLS
Audi A7 is the best build, have the best interior, the best equipment, the best quality, very good engines, very good handling. Simply the perfect CAR.
@wmomarko
Did you ever saw the interiors of the audis?
Usualy allot better than the bmw's and mercs of its class
1 thing i still don't get is that they call these cars 4doors coupes.
The way i see it is that the panamera and the a7 are 5drs hatchbacks and the cls a 4drs saloon.
you are awesome matt!!!
Id take the Audi because I personally am just fond of them. But the CLS is beautiful. Its fast, smooth, and oozes prestige. Dont let any fan-boys from Audi tell you different. Panamera just not what Im looking for in this class of car.
it has unbeatable presence on the daily commute (where they will be seen mostly) even the audi drivers pull out of the way off the porsche when it comes up behind them, which is rare because audi drivers often think they own the road
The porsche is a true supercar of an executive whereas the others are just sporty
The rear looks amazing in my opinion
@Jack THANK YOUUUUU.... I thought I was the only one with the balls to say putting a porche label on a odd station wagon does not make it more appealing to the eye....smdh... For some reason so many people love the look of that panamerra... "the eye of the beholder" I guess
Audi best
Performance
I don't deny that- the Panamera is clearly the best of the three. And this is from an S4 owner.
out of all three I'd take the Panamera, but if i had to choose only between Audi and Merc - hmm, that would be tough choice, i think i'd choose the Audi.
CLS !
1. cls
2. panamera
3. a7
Where is BMW 6 series 4doors??
A. Hill you think that stupids bmw´s are better than a audi????please.....thing again and again
+mafiatour who cares
+joão Fernandes of those 3 cls or bmw audi is the last one in compare audi fan boy
The input surface for letters it's impractical in the UK, because it's located in the left. And if you are right-handed, you canreach it with the right hand only if you turn around to the left, or you can write with the left hand. Audi teaches people be ambidextrous lol. But, that surface is usefull in the rest of the world. Thanks Audi! Someday I will afford an A7. :D
@Fredrinski pretty much yeah, but i do respect the others though.
Something about this reviewer i don't like but hay, i like Autoexpress regardless.
We can all argue all day, but personal preference is key, and for me the panda
A7 just looks so much better than the other two
tell me more about your driving experience with CLS, Panamera and A7.
Sure, one of these cars is the best, but its only the personal taste. The taste decides, not only the Money. Primarily the cars are all on a high (maybe same) level.
No that we finally have the m6 gran coupe can we do a rematch?
Love the A7
I'm trying to decide if I should get a Mercedes S550 or the Panamera. I know Mercedes makes the best cars but that Panamera is LIVE!!! I wonder how durable the PP is?
There is also the BMW 6 Gran Coupe that while in my opinion, is the best looker, it demands too high of a price for a 315 hp I6 when you could get a Merc with a V8 for just 1-2 grand more and offers no obvious advantages to the A7.
Porsche Panamera is just amaizing!
Totally agree, that Benz is the best choice of the trio
Look at the backside of the A7 from a side view and tell me it doesn't look similar to the first gen CLS.
When he "floored it" the car didn't seem to take off did it. I know it's fast though.
I love the Audi A7, I always have, but in terms of exterior design, Interior design, driving dynamics and prestige the Mercedes CLS simply looks far more superior to that of its rivals. Its design is so much more aggressive opposed to the more conservative and fluidic design of the Audi A7. The A7 is a great car but I would be fooling myself f I said the CLS wasn't as good.
@Fredrinski However, the A7 is more practical and still better than the CLS.
Audi is designed to be Practical + Stylish and full of technology & not only looking good
@Warrantti Carrera GT?
@scrokostas its good for people who lives in countries with lots of snow, like canada, russia and they want sedans with AWD
@edge160 Who wouldn't want the quality and name of a Porsche, so I agree with you 100%!
The right title should be:
Audi A7 < Mercedes CLS < Porsche Panamera
A7 very good😍😍
Ya!
i still cant understand how porsche could release such styling after the cayenne fiasco
In this video the porsche is by far the best and I feel we could argue for our brand for days but I guess its a matter of personal opinion
Kias are simple and easy to use as well so are they better? (Yes i know the designer is the same guy) also CLS is hardly confusing, mercedes is the best interior
@OuKrokodil
Exactly! That's why the Panamera is more money but you get what you paid for.
you should state the reason as well.
come on dude, 550 liters or so, of Audis trunk is sooo good, but 445 liters in the Panamera is not enough for 4 people?
Other than that, you can sleep in the A7 if you put down the rear seats.
Panamera is Top 1, it is true that it is expensive......... Between A7 and CLS I would say I like the CLS front view is very sexy but overall A7 design rocks is more sporty and the price is better. Mercedes Benz are more reliable but is more expensive. Just my personal opinion, I am not a expert like many of you here :P.
The best one is BMW 6 gran coupe :P
FINALLY ! SOMEONE WHO AGREES! So, when I went to the Audi Dealer in SanFrancisco, I was interested in the A7, and hands down is beautiful on the outside! But when you open the door, I was really Really disappointed. The craftmans ship just was not there. It felt plasticy and uninspired. I felt as if the Audi Designers were inexperienced and new at thier job. Oh wait, they were... Audi just isn't on par with Mercedes in terms of interior design, and I'd much prefer Mercedes' traditional styling.
Yap, Audi is way above Mercedes and for some reason it grew 3x faster than its competitors. Audi in design is light years ahead of Mercedes' Vintage design. The only brand that can have an interior as beautiful as Audi (apart from Porsche which is designed to compete with Maserati) is BMW.
12 years later we can see that the A7 is much more expensive than a CLS that looks like a 2003 car.
@SPKytu S7?? dont you mean RS7 :)
CLS all the way!!!