In-depth reviews

Audi Q7 review

The Audi Q7 luxury SUV is practical and packed with hi-tech features, while it's still capable enough of mixing it with premium rivals

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Price
£64,305 to £106,225
  • Ride comfort
  • Good to drive
  • Luxurious interior
  • Expensive options
  • Will feel large on some roads
  • Some rivals offer more flexibility
Find your Audi Q7
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
From:£34,000 cash
PCP finance available
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

The latest Audi Q7 is one of the best luxury SUVs on sale; capable of taking on similarly modern rivals like the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE, while it can can more than hold its own against premium 4x4s such as the Range Rover Sport. It’s great to drive too, expertly blending a plush ride with sure-footed grip, traction and body control.

The cavernous interior offers plenty of space for seven, entry level models are well-equipped and there’s plug-in hybrid models that should bolster the Q7’s appeal.

About the Audi Q7

Although a latecomer to the premium SUV class, the Audi Q7 certainly made an impact when it arrived. Launched in 2007, the original stood out thanks to its imposing dimensions and spacious seven-seat layout, where most of its rivals were only five-seaters.

Fast-forward to 2015, and the Q7 Mk2 built on the quality of the original, but offered it in a less weighty package. The second-generation Q7 was the first to use the VW Group's MLB platform, sharing its basic structure with the Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg and even the Lamborghini Urus. However, all of these models are differentiated by their own unique DNA, and the Audi benefits from the German brand's high-quality image and focus on technology.

The Q7 got a comprehensive update in 2019 – a sharper look and more luxurious interior were introduced along with new mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines. Audi’s latest dual-screen infotainment system dominates the redesigned interior and there’s a focus on high-tech luxury; Audi made its changes to make sure that its largest SUV keeps pace with key rivals like the Mercedes GLE, BMW X7 and Range Rover Sport. Other rivals include the BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery, Lexus RX and Volvo XC90.

The standard engine line-up consists of two diesels and one petrol – the 45 TDI, 50 TDI and 55 TFSI respectively. The diesels are mild-hybrid 3.0-litre V6 units with 228bhp and 282bhp; the petrol also boasts a 3.0-litre V6 and produces 335bhp. The range-topping SQ7 is powered by a brawny 4.0-litre V8 petrol, making 500bhp – although earlier SQ7s packed a torquey diesel engine.

There are four trim levels on offer: Sport, S line, Black Edition and Vorsprung. Standard equipment on Sport models is generous, with LED headlights, adaptive air suspension, 19-inch alloys, Audi Drive Select and leather upholstery all included. Audi’s MMI Navigation Plus infotainment system works across a total of three displays – two in the middle and one behind the steering wheel in place of traditional dials. There’s a good level of safety features too, including a rear-view camera, cruise control, automatic emergency braking and all-round parking sensors. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard across the range.

S line cars get a unique look with more body-coloured exterior parts and larger 20-inch alloys; inside, there’s upgraded leather trim and a sportier steering wheel to name but a few changes. Black Edition cars jump to 21-inch alloys and get a sportier adaptive air suspension set-up, while a smattering of dark exterior trim lends a more aggressive look. Top-spec Vorsprung models retain a similar appearance, but get a huge amount of added technology inside – but you’ll pay more than £83,000 for the privilege.

For an alternative review of the latest Audi Q7 SUV, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk...

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    45 TDI Quattro Sport 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £58,685

Most Economical

  • Name
    45 TDI Quattro S Line 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £61,835

Fastest

  • Name
    SQ7 TFSI Quattro 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £79,060

More on Q7

Show me:
New Audi Q7 facelift caught cold-weather testing ahead of launch
Audi Q7 facelift (winter testing) - front cornering
News
1 Mar 2023

New Audi Q7 facelift caught cold-weather testing ahead of launch

Before it unveils a pure-electric replacement later this decade, Audi will refresh its Q7 SUV with tweaked styling and a potential PHEV version
Top 10 best luxury SUVs 2023
Best luxury SUVs - header image
Best cars & vans
13 Feb 2023

Top 10 best luxury SUVs 2023

These are the 10 best posh SUVs on the UK market right now
Top 10 best 7-seater cars to buy 2023
Best 7-seater cars - header image
Best cars & vans
17 Jan 2023

Top 10 best 7-seater cars to buy 2023

We pick the best seven-seat cars that provide the most practicality across a wide range of price points
Top 10 best large SUVs to buy 2023
Best large SUVs - header image
Best cars & vans
13 Jan 2023

Top 10 best large SUVs to buy 2023

Need a practical family car? Look no further than the best large SUVs on sale today
Range Rover Sport vs Audi Q7: 2022 twin test review
Range Rover Sport and Audi Q7 - front tracking
Car group tests
10 Dec 2022

Range Rover Sport vs Audi Q7: 2022 twin test review

All-new Range Rover Sport meets Audi rival in a premium SUV rematch
Best used large SUVs and 4x4s 2023
Best used large SUVs - header image
Best cars & vans
8 Nov 2022

Best used large SUVs and 4x4s 2023

The best used large SUVs and 4x4s in the business offer space, practicality, performance and low running costs
Best used seven-seater cars 2022
seven seaters thumbnail
Best cars & vans
5 Aug 2022

Best used seven-seater cars 2022

These MPVs and SUVs place practicality high on the agenda, offering seven seats and a lot of boot space
Used Audi Q7 review
Used Audi Q7 - front
Used car tests
24 May 2021

Used Audi Q7 review

A full used car buyer’s guide on the Audi Q7 covering the Q7 Mk2 (2015-date)
New Audi SQ7 2021 review
Audi SQ7 - front
Road tests
22 Apr 2021

New Audi SQ7 2021 review

We test high-performance Audi SQ7 SUV that also has a glorious V8 soundtrack
New Audi SQ7 2020 review
Road tests
15 Sep 2020

New Audi SQ7 2020 review

Has a switch to petrol power improved the blistering Audi SQ7 SUV? We find out...
Audi launches 500bhp V8 petrol engine for SQ7 and SQ8 SUVs
News
17 Jul 2020

Audi launches 500bhp V8 petrol engine for SQ7 and SQ8 SUVs

Audi’s two largest performance SUVs drop diesel and swap back to petrol power
Mercedes GLS vs Audi Q7
Mercedes GLS vs Audi Q7 - head-to-head
Car group tests
15 Jan 2020

Mercedes GLS vs Audi Q7

When it comes to seven-seat luxury SUVs, the Mercedes GLS is the biggest – but does that make it the best? We compare it with the Audi Q7
New Audi Q7 60 TFSIe 2019 review
Audi Q7 60 TFSI e - front
Road tests
4 Oct 2019

New Audi Q7 60 TFSIe 2019 review

It’s petrol-electric power for latest Audi Q7 plug-in SUV, with the 60 TFSIe model boasting 449bhp
New Audi Q7 facelift 2019 review
Audi Q7 55 TFSI - front tracking
Road tests
8 Aug 2019

New Audi Q7 facelift 2019 review

We've driven the facelifted Audi Q7 in diesel form already, but does the more expensive petrol version have the edge over its sibling?
New Audi Q7 50 TDI 2019 review
Audi Q7 - front
Road tests
8 Aug 2019

New Audi Q7 50 TDI 2019 review

The Audi Q7 has been updated for 2019, but is the large SUV now better than ever? We find out…
New Audi Q7 facelift adds mild-hybrid powertrain
Audi Q7 - front
News
26 Jun 2019

New Audi Q7 facelift adds mild-hybrid powertrain

The Audi Q7 has been updated for 2019 with styling and chassis revisions, while new mild-hybrid petrol and diesel units have been added
New Audi SQ7 Vorsprung 2018 review
Audi SQ7 Vorsprung - front
Road tests
6 Aug 2018

New Audi SQ7 Vorsprung 2018 review

The new Audi SQ7 Vorsprung Edition stands out from the SUV crowd, but it comes at a hefty price
No driver or passenger fatalities recorded in Volvo XC90
Best 4x4s and SUVs - Volvo XC90
News
16 Apr 2018

No driver or passenger fatalities recorded in Volvo XC90

Analysis of official figures finds no driver or passenger fatalities have been recorded in Volvo's XC90 since records began in 2004
Audi Q7 e-tron vs Volvo XC90 T8
Audi Q7 e-tron vs Volvo XC90 T8 - header
Car group tests
7 Feb 2018

Audi Q7 e-tron vs Volvo XC90 T8

The Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 slug it out to be our luxury plug-in hybrid SUV champ
New Audi Q7 Vorsprung and Black Editions announced
Audi Q7 Vorsprung Edition
News
24 Oct 2017

New Audi Q7 Vorsprung and Black Editions announced

The Vorsprung Edition adds up to £25,000 to the standard Q7 price, but comes with Audi's highest specification
Long-term test review: Audi SQ7
Audi SQ7 long-term final report - header
Long-term tests
26 Jul 2017

Long-term test review: Audi SQ7

Final report: Home and away, it’s been a blast with the 429bhp Audi SQ7 SUV
All-new Audi Q7 specs: redesigned, spacious and lighter
Audi Q7 tracking
Partnership
13 Jul 2017

All-new Audi Q7 specs: redesigned, spacious and lighter

The flagship model in the Audi Q range, the Q7 brings new levels of luxury and practicality to the large SUV class
Land Rover Discovery vs Audi Q7 vs Volvo XC90
Land Rover Discovery vs Audi Q7 vs Volvo XC90 - header
Car group tests
16 Apr 2017

Land Rover Discovery vs Audi Q7 vs Volvo XC90

The new Land Rover Discovery takes on the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 for luxury SUV honours