Poll 2018 Audi A7 vs Mercedes Benz CLS

[Star&Car]

...and as eye-appeal is of paramount significance as a criteria for "sedoupe" segment shoppers...And as neither the series II A7 nor the C257 CLS embody that characteristic of being visually convincingly immaculate...I could be inclined to go for...

THIS. And call it a day (until something better comes up).

This,perfect outline with refined body lines.

 

[Matski]

Please lord no. "The unequivocally, undeniably, never seen before, brand new M6 GT."

Suspect I am plagiarising @Matski here. Apologies for my lack of originality if so.

Me can't make right spelling of words big like that unequivilivy

 

[SKY]

The problem with THAT is that it looks better in pictures than in the tin (where it comes across as decidedly conservative). Great car, no doubt - and more in line with my old fart tastes - but one does have to appreciate that both the A7 and CLS are more visually arresting.

Agree. The thing is, couldn't you say the same about the previous gen of the 5er, CLS and A7? Right now, it is the F10 design, the most conservative one of the three, the only one that has aged gracefully.

Though you could argue the first gen CLS has aged better than the E60 5er, which IMO is also true.

 

[MAJESTIC]

No. In modern buying-pattern terms they're rather apart from each other.

True. I have never thought about it before but the A7/ CLS Class cars seem more upmarket than the 6 GT. The 6 looks like it occupies a class of its own. Thank God.

 

[Tarek]

CLS for me for the following:

-I'd never pick an Audi over a Mercedes-Benz.(except for A3 vs CLA).
-Never liked the overall shape of the A7 which resembles a dog taking a dump.
-That interior of the CLS is just sublime.

 

[Joll]

I believe that A7 is better. A7 looks modern
here's a video comparison:

 

[Rolf]

At first I liked the new A7 as this time Audi has looked at the details and added more lines and curves in the previously unconvincing shape and made the new one more attractive.

But it's a weird thing with the new CLS, the first time I saw the pics of the car with matt grey paint work with black wheels i was very disappointed and didn't like it one bit and thought what on earth Mercedes has done to create such a less desirable car than previous models. But after seeing the red and black gloss colours with silver coloured alloys and in non AMG guise I gradually fell in love with the car and now think it's a design to behold and suddenly makes the Audi look too conventional and evolutionary.

Both cars have great interiors although the Audi is more technical and the Mercedes is more luxurious.

Overall I would choose the CLS cause it's a car that will stand out in the crowd and probably get more noticed than the A7

 

[Matski]

"Which eye would you like to be poked with a shitty stick in?"
The Left?
The Right?

Some polls just need a "None of the Above" option.

 

[CeSClaudiu]

I find it very difficult to actually choose one of them as both have 2 major stong points and 2 strong weak spots.
Regarding the A7, I like a lot both rear and front end, both of them looking very good. The rear seems to me like one of the greatest blends of elegance and sportiness, looking extremely exclusive with those futuristic lights. Front looks very sharp, it`s very very agressive stance combined with spectacular graphics on lights.

The CLS has an amazing interior just like its sibling from Mercedes-the E class. The interior of the Merc looks so much better compared to a really boring although new concept of audi interior. Also, the CLS looks better from the side profile. The A7s fastback profile looks good but the CLS looks better from the side view.

I am surprised as how good the new A7 looks especially after I`ve seen the new A8 and wasn`t impressed but A7 is right now the best looking audi in the line-up while what was always a standout Mercedes that was very very beautiful car in the past looks now a little bit boring and I am worried as they stated that this car presents their new design language. So, I would buy the CLS just because it has a better interior altough exterior wise the A7 rocks. My vote goes for the CLS.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Comparison I made last week.

Profile makes the A7 look like the new Civic.

These images display exactly what my concern is with the A7. The design is overwrought and overcomplicated. There's elements on there that I already think look dated, particularly next to the CLS. Yes the design is initially arresting with so much for the eye to feast on and the mind to digest, but ultimately I believe it is design for designs sake. Like the designers don't really have an overriding paradigm but have been given free reign to throw as many 'cool' and 'striking' elements at the vehicle as they can possibly muster. Oh how the tables have turned.

In terms of interior I really dig the A7, apart from the obvious maintenance drawbacks of that huge swage of gloss black trim. I look forward to testing this new interface out and I suspect quality will be beyond reproach. At this exact point in time I would likely pick the A7 interior because some elements of quality in the E-class interior have left me very underwhelmed both in terms of trim and build. 7-8 years down the line though, I suspect these Audi interiors are going to look well out of step.

Overall the CLS for me is the better design outcome.

 

[Red2847]

I love the way the A7 front and side profile look. However, the eyebrow realight and the fugly hidden exhaust pipes are a let down to me. The interior is not my cup of tea either.

Without being a round design, I would rather have a black, AMG CLS to be honest.

What do you mean without being a round design? Are you saying you prefer the W218 CLS63 over both of these newer models?

 

[Red2847]

I am truly an old fart. And I do tend to appreciate "more conservative" approaches to automotive design. But I like that measured application of sinew and tendons to envigorate traditional 3-box (or 2 1/2 box) designs, making them a bit more "ripped". Definition rules !

Yes, like most cars, the G30 is spec-sensitive. But I perceive it to be lesser so than its' M-B W213 peer. And I appreciate current BMW interiors. Thus, the G30, for me, would be a very viable compromise vis-a-vis the M-B and Audi sedoupes.

Interesting observation, though in the eyes of “most” people they would probably see the cls (even previous gen with facelift) as looking more special. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s design is more dramatic, or what exactly. In this class I think the g30 certainly looks more masculine, overall better than the w213.


Now, g30 and cls/a7/6series, even comparing from previous gen, I wonder if most people out there actually like the looks of the more simple 5 better?

For example, I don’t think exterior of the w212 e class can hold a candle to the CLS, but the 5 series was also arguably much nicer designed than the w212 and Hasnain proven to be more timeless as pretty much the same body has carried over now into this gen

 

[Red2847]

Agree. The thing is, couldn't you say the same about the previous gen of the 5er, CLS and A7? Right now, it is the F10 design, the most conservative one of the three, the only one that has aged gracefully.

Though you could argue the first gen CLS has aged better than the E60 5er, which IMO is also true.

Well it’s hard to say. I asked a few people in my area and many are still more inpresssed with the looks of the w218 over the newer g30 5 series. Many do see the 4 door coupe as a more “premium” or I guess expensive look to the car, but of course many will prefer more simple 5 series. It’s hard to say. I’ve always wondered and thought despite the difference in class the cls vs 5 series is a hard and close call from design standpoint as both do a good job at looking great in their own ways.

 

[MercFan]

CLS for me for the following:

-I'd never pick an Audi over a Mercedes-Benz.(except for A3 vs CLA).
-Never liked the overall shape of the A7 which resembles a dog taking a dump.
-That interior of the CLS is just sublime.

That interior of the CLS is just interior of the E...

 

[Betty Swollocks]

That interior of the CLS is just interior of the E...

Which is one of the nicest interiors around.