Audi is about on par with BMW for the ease of use of their controls, though Audi sticks with a conventional transmission shifter that becomes another reflection of their commitment to quality – it is solid and distinctive, and its conventional layout means it will be a familiar operation if you switch between vehicles in your household. The retractable seven-inch display answers to the MMI knob and button array on the centre console, as well as a touchpad for scribbling in letters for destination entry or contacts. It’s hard to find fault with such a simple system, though perhaps the menu structure for inputting and selecting audio presets is a little convoluted – especially compared to BMW’s hard buttons on the console that allow easy access to favourite radio stations, phone numbers or destinations for the nav system. However, no one can touch Audi for interior lighting, with ambient lighting and backlit knobs and gauges creating an inviting atmosphere after dark.

And as for party tricks, you can opt for Night Vision ($2,500) that displays in the gauge screen, with pedestrian detection that highlights pedestrians in the screen. Even without night vision, the LED headlights are powerful and bright with a fixed cornering light that illuminate into a curve as you turn the wheel.

On a more basic level, the S6/S7 is a rather large vehicle, so there is plenty of space in both seating rows – note the large pumpkin’s worth of rear legroom in the photos of the S6. The S7 is restricted to two rear seats, while the S6 retains its occasional-use middle spot, but it’s an uncomfortable place to be with poor cushioning and huge floor tunnel for the AWD components. And of course, the hatchback configuration means the S7 holds a significant cargo advantage, offering up 694 L to the S6’s 399.

Curiously, our S6 and S7 were almost identically equipped, though there is a significant gap in the base price of these two vehicles. The S6 starts at $85,600 and the S7 at $92,900, both subject to an additional $2,095 Freight & PDI charge.

The big ticket item for both cars was the $6,500 Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound, with 15 speakers powered by a 1,200-watt 19-channel amplifier. Base sound systems are Bose branded, with 12-channel, 600-watt amplifier projected over 14 speakers, including a subwoofer. For most people, the biggest difference would likely be that the B&O system has cool “acoustic lenses”, tiny little speakers that rise from the front dash when you start the car. As far as I am able to judge, the sound is fabulous, though I have no doubt I would come to the same verdict in a Bose-equipped S6 or S7.

Next on the options list was the $4,400 Driver Assistant Plus package, which brings Audi’s technological prowess into the driving experience with adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, active lane assist, head-up display and pre sense plus (braking intervention in the event a collision is imminent). Parking aids include a back-up and forward cameras and front and rear radar, but fall short of 360-degree camera systems form the likes of BMW, Mercedes and Infiniti.

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