Name: Audi Q7 Review
Item: Audi Q7
Author: Gumtree.com

If you’re in the market for a luxury SUV, then the Q7 is one of the best you can buy. It was Audi’s first SUV, launched in 2005 and given a series of upgrades since, most recently in 2020. Inside it’s comfortable and luxurious, much like the driving experience, with the plush ride complemented by assured handling. The car will seat seven people in ample comfort and can even handle a bit of off-road action. All this has seen it rated by many as the star performer in the luxury SUV class, even when judged against rivals such as the BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90.

Visit the Audi Q7 model page to explore available cars and learn more about the model.

What we think about the Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is an outstanding luxury SUV, offering a relaxing ride in comfort for up to seven passengers.

Pros

Superb quality interior

Smooth, powerful engines

Classy design

Plush ride

Cons

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More than five metres long

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Rivals have better infotainment systems

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Added options can get very expensive

The Audi Q7 comes in a choice of four different trims, from the entry-level Sport to the state-of-the-art Vorsprung. Even the bottom of the range comes with ambient interior lighting, a powered tailgate and Matrix adaptive LED headlights. The 2015 second generation of the vehicle reduced the weight, upped the power and brought onboard a raft of new tech.

Driving performance of the Audi Q7

Our Driving Rating9 / 10

The ride comfort makes the Audi Q7 a pleasure to drive, especially in the Sport and S Line trims. When it comes to engines, both the diesel and petrol options are punchy and deliver strong acceleration from low revs. The plug-in hybrid combines an electric motor with the V6 petrol engine to take the Audi Q7 from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. It has excellent towing capacity too, with diesel models able to pull a braked trailer weighing up to 3,500 kg. It can also handle muddy fields and tracks, thanks to a system that lets it shift power to the wheels with most grip.

Safety and reliability of the Audi Q7

Our Safety Rating7 / 10

The Audi Q7 received the maximum five stars from Euro NCAP when tested in 2017, thanks to its eight airbags, blind spot and forward collision sensor, and rear cross traffic alerts. It’s generally considered to be a pretty reliable machine, although the older versions were noted for wearing through a set of front tires in less than 7,000 miles. Checking tyre pressures and tracking regularly seems to be vital to getting the most out of the rubber.

Under the bonnet of the Audi Q7

Our Engine Rating7 / 10

For diesel engines, there’s a choice of two, with the less powerful 3.0-litre delivering 228 bhp and going from 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds. The 282 bhp version offers a bit more oomph, and the eight-speed automatic gearbox helps to deliver power smoothly. The quickest option is the 55 TFSI turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, which produces an impressive 335 bhp. The choice of hybrids comprises the 55 TFSIe and 60 TFSIe Competition, with the latter combining a 335bhp petrol V6 with a 134 bhp electric motor. Added together, that can make this chunky vehicle feel very rapid.

What you'll find in the Audi Q7

Our Design Rating8 / 10

The first-generation Q7 was an imposing beast, though one with some style. The 2015 redesign refined the shape to lose some of the bulk, giving it a lower profile and a sportier front end, and making it feel more like a jacked-up estate than a full-on SUV. The most recent update, in 2019, added the octagon grille, bringing the Q7 into line with Audi’s other models. You can customise the look by opting for the Black Edition, with its black grille and mirror caps, or by choosing one of Audi’s exclusive paint finishes.

Comfort and interiors in the Audi Q7

Our Comfort Rating9 / 10

The Q7’s interior comes lavishly furnished with soft materials, brushed metal trims and high-grade plastics. Precision switches are well-damped, and the multicoloured ambient lighting adds an opulent touch. It’s all tightly screwed together, giving the feel of a quality build. Leather trim on the dashboard and door armrests is standard on the higher-level trims and an optional extra on the Sport. Factor in the room it affords for up to seven people to sit in comfort, and it adds up to an interior that outclasses nearly all of its rivals.

What features you'll find in the Audi Q7

Our Features Rating7 / 10

Even the most basic Q7 models come with a host of features: dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera, electric front seats with driver memory, and a 10-speaker stereo system, to name just a few. Those willing to splash out can add 360˚ cameras, oak interior inlays and auto parking too. The one thing that doesn’t match up to its rivals is the infotainment system. This was overhauled in the 2019 facelift, but some drivers have found the new touchscreen distracting to use while driving.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Audi Q7

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

Seven-seater SUVs tend to be fairly thirsty, but Audi’s careful attention to both the weight and the efficient diesel engines helps to keep consumption down. The claimed 52.3 mpg for the 215 bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel is respectable among its rivals. Petrol options offer between 22.8 and 27.7 mpg, while the plug-in hybrid engine can stretch it out to 108.6 mpg. If you’re only using it for short journeys, you could run the Q7 hybrid on very little petrol.

Running costs of the Audi Q7

Our Cost Rating6 / 10

Audis don’t tend to be the cheapest to maintain, but long service intervals and Audi’s fixed price deals can make the Q7 slightly more affordable. It sits in insurance groups 42 to 49, so bills will still be steep, but the car will hold its value well, hanging on to around half of its showroom value after three years. This is comparable with rivals such as the Land Rover Discovery and the Volvo XC90.

Our verdict of the Audi Q7

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

The Audi Q7 sets the standard in the luxury SUV range. It's a seven-seater family car that moves like something much sportier and delivers a premium ride.

Audi Q7 Review