2012 Audi A7 Priced at $59,250

Audi priced the 2012 A7 at $59,250, excluding $875 for destination. That’s a pretty good price compared with its competitors, the Mercedes CLS-Class ($74,000) and Porsche Panamera V-6 ($74,400). The BMW 535i Gran Turismo ($58,300) is slightly more affordable, but car shoppers may equate the BMW’s more awkward styling with a crossover, over a four-door “coupe.” Or shoppers simply might say the A7 is better-looking.

The A7 is marketed as a bridge between the A6 ($45,200) and A8 ($78,050) sedans in terms of features and affordability.

All A7s are powered by a 310-horsepower, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard. The four-door coupe has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 18/28 mpg city/highway.

The A7 comes in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige package levels. The base Premium trim comes with leather upholstery, xenon headlights with LED daytime lights, heated seats, automatic powered tailgate, push-button start, sunroof, 18-inch wheels, three-zone automatic climate control and automatic headlights.

The Premium Plus ($62,870) adds 19-inch wheels, a navigation system, front and rear parking sensors and rearview backup camera, and a multimedia system with an 8-inch touch-screen.

The Prestige ($65,580) adds a Bose surround-sound stereo, four-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, adaptive headlights and a power adjustable steering column.

Other options, such as full LED headlights, adaptive cruise control and head-up display, are a part of the $5,800 Innovation Package. A 1,300-watt Bang & Olufsen stereo is its own $5,900 option. Added all together, and the A7 tops at just slightly under $80,000, which is just where the CLS and Panamera start.

The 2012 Audi A7 goes on sale later this month.