Audi claims to have further rejuvenated its large 7-seat luxury SUV, the Q7. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

Just as the dinosaurs evolved to suit a changing planet, so have large luxury SUVs - Audi's enormous Q7 more than most. Here's another lightly improved version of the second generation model, complete with a slightly smarter look. It's a large luxury 7-seat SUV that aims to work smarter rather than harder and is still a difficult option to ignore in its segment.

Background

Ever since the original version of this Q7 was first launched in 2007, it's been a vehicle that middle-England families have always rather liked but, if truth were told, felt a bit awkward about owning, the MK1 Q7's sheer size, power and weight hardly in keeping with these eco-conscious times. The MK2 model, launched in 2015, then revised in 2019, improved things, thanks to a lighter platform shared with premium brands like Bentley and Porsche. But this car was still a huge thing. And remains that way in the improved form we look at here, revised in early 2024. These days, with Mild Hybrid engines the Q7 claims to have a better eco-footprint, enabling you to consider one with a clearer conscience. Which is nice because for many - ourselves included - there remains something tantalisingly tempting about this big Audi. The way it dominates the road as it'll dominate your driveway. You'll want to justify buying one - but will you be able to? Let's find out.

Driving Experience

There are no changes to the conventional engines used by this revised Q7. As before, the range is built around 48-volt mild hybrid engine technology and offers a choice of five powerplants. There are still two diesel options; the 231PS 45 TDI variant or the more popular 50 TDI 286PS diesel powerplant. It's one of Audi's best, creamy smooth, superbly refined and generally torquey, equipped with 600Nm of pulling power. Alternatively, there's a 340PS 3.0-litre petrol engine, badged 55 TFSI. You've also the option of Audi's Plug-in Hybrid tech, a 55 TFSI e model now oimproved with 394PS and a larger 25.9kWh battery that stretches EV range to 51 miles. At the top of the range, the 507PS petrol-powered SQ7 V8 TFSI model is still available. Since his second generation Q7 was first launched, Audi's worked on the drive dynamics to make the car more manoeuvrable, precise and agile in urban traffic and on hairpin bends, particularly in top 'Vorsprung' specification which includes all-wheel-steering as standard. That allows the car to turn into corners quicker and be more manoeuvrable at parking speeds. Adaptive air suspension is standard across the range. This provides variable ground clearance and better prepares the Audi Q7 with its standard quattro drive for terrain off the beaten track. The relevant offroad mode can be selected via the standard 'Audi drive select' dynamic handling system with its seven profiles. 'Black Edition' and 'Vorsprung' versions are equipped with the slightly tauter adaptive air suspension sport with a lower ride height than the standard air suspension system.

Design and Build

This further revised version of the second generation Q7 features smarter bumpers front and rear and some lighting upgrades. The headlamps can now be specified with HD Matrix LED units featuring different lighting signatures and the brand's 'Laser' high-beam system. While at the rear, wealthier Q7 customers can have striking OLED tail lamp clusters. There are redesigned wheels too, with sizes between 20 and 22-inches. The large octagon Singleframe grille continues and as before, three seating rows are standard. Inside, there are fresh trim, leather and stitching options, plus the screen tech gets updated software and graphics. Otherwise, Audi's so-called 'luxury lounge' cabin architecture remains as before. You're going to need to like screens because the gloss black-panelled layout incorporates no fewer than three of them, the two you'll notice first powering up as soon as the door is opened and dominating the upper and lower parts of the shiny centre stack. The gently curved upper 10.1-inch display deals with the most important radio, media and telephone functions while the lower 8.6-inch monitor is reserved for more comfort-orientated mainly climate-related features. Both screens interact with the 12.3-inch 'Audi Virtual Cockpit' instrument binnacle screen you view through the three-spoke wheel. Provision for cabin storage isn't ideal, both the central bin between the seats and the door pockets being somewhat restricted in size, but the driving position is virtually faultless and the seats are supportive with heating and standard 4-way lumbar support. As before, versus its direct competitors, the Q7 has a greater interior length as well as more headroom and elbow room in the front and rear. The middle row slides and reclines, as you would expect. And the third row (which can't be fitted to the PHEV version) is strictly for kids (also as you would expect), though it does get ISOFIX childseat fastenings. With the third row folded, there's 780-litres of boot space (or 563-litres with the PHEV). And with the second row folded, that rises to 1,908-litres (or 1,863-litres with the PHEV).

Market and Model

Audi asks from just under £65,000 for this Q7 in TDI diesel form; it's from around £68,500 if you want a TFSI petrol model and you'll need from around £76,000 if you want that petrol variant to have the brand's TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid tech. There are three trim levels - 'S line', 'Black Edition' and 'Vorsprung'. At the top of the range sits the sporting V8 SQ7 model, which these days is TFSI petrol-powered and costs from around £94,000, offering 'Black Edition' and 'Vorsprung' model options. Even base 'S line' variants get fully digitised instrumentation and the 'MMI navigation plus' infotainment package delivers top-of-the-line connectivity by incorporating LTE Advanced streaming, a Wi-Fi hotspot, natural voice control and the extensive Audi connect portfolio, opening up everything from online traffic information and navigation with Google Earth to hybrid radio. The cloud-based Amazon voice service Alexa, which is integrated into the MMI operating system, is also included. Top 'Vorsprung' variants include just about everything you could possibly want. With 22-inch wheels, S line detailing and a black styling pack, they show the remodelled Q7 body in its most impactful light and their powered soft-close doors set the tone for the exceptional comfort and luxury within. Occupants are treated to ultra-supportive front super sport seats with diamond-stitched Valcona leather upholstery, climate control and a massage function, plus an extended leather pack taking in the door pull handles, armrests and lower door trim, the front centre console trim and the underside of the instrument panel. Seat heating is also expanded to the second row, and attention is even lavished on the roof, which gains a soft-touch Alcantara headlining. The brand's 3D BOSE surround sound system is also installed to fill the interior with virtually cinematic sound quality.

Cost of Ownership

All this Q7's V6 engines get the brand's 48-volt mild hybrid technology, but unfortunately that doesn't mean very much in terms of improved efficiency. A Q7 55 TFSI manages up to 27.4mpg on the combined cycle and up to 233g/km of CO2; compare against 32.8mpg and 193g/km for a directly comparable Volvo XC90 B5. Even the returns of the volume 45 TDI and 50 TDI diesel versions most customers still choose (which are up to 35.8mpg and up to 208g/km) are virtually the same as those of a rival Land Rover Discovery D350 with much more power and a heavier, considerably more capable 4WD system. And of course the V8 petrol-powered SQ7 will keep you very well stocked in Tiger tokens - it manages only up to 23.5mpg and a best of 274g/km of CO2. All of which means that if you really want efficiency running cost returns in a Q7, you'll need to turn to the pricey 55 TFSI e Plug-in hybrid version. The official figures for this variant are up to 217.3mpg on the combined cycle and up to 28mpg. We'll finish by covering the warranty. All cars in this class get three years of cover, but whereas BMW and Mercedes don't limit your mileage in this period, Audi rather meanly restricts you to 60,000 miles. Optional extra-cost packages can extend the cover to either four or five years (and 75,000 or 95,000 miles respectively).

Summary

Here's a big Audi SUV that, in an eco-conscious world, you could still own proudly, rather than slightly awkwardly. A statement of technology and innovation with electronic intuition anticipating needs you didn't know you had. As well as simply a very plush and practical way to transport your household just about anywhere. In this further revised form, it certainly looks the part, the badge works for the boardroom, it's as capable off road as most will ever need and the seven-seat format is fine for families. True, there are rival large SUVs that are better to drive in this segment - but none of those are as practical. And yes, there are certainly others that are significantly cheaper - but none of them are as advanced. In summary, we're left with a car that's remains a key part of Ingolstadt's SUV line-up. Audi are certainly aware that a model of this kind can never be completely eco-centric, but as they've proved in this case, there's certainly plenty that can be done to reduce its environmental impact. In short, what we have here is simply this: a lesson in Vorsprung durch Technik.