► Audi’s facelifted Q7 SUV driven
► 2024 update is mostly visual tweaks
► We go for a big road trip to Wales in one
The Audi Q7 has been around since 2015 and, after a big overhaul in 2020, gets the gentlest of nip-and-tuck updates for 2024 before a new third-generation model arrives in 2026.
Yet loading it up with five people and luggage then doing a 600-mile round-trip to Wales reminds us what an accomplished all-rounder the seven-seat SUV still is. Especially when we matched the official mpg figures with around 300kg extra on board.
At a glance
Pros: Practical, refined, desirable, good to drive, powerful enough, economical
Cons: Average infotainment, embarrassingly wide on narrow lanes, not that much different than before
What’s new?
Mostly it’s a light design tickle that introduces new bumpers front and rear, a front grille with vertical L-shaped inlays, HD Matrix LED headlights with laser lights/OLED tail lights for top spec models, plus new wheels and colours.
Audi describes it as having ‘reduced decorative elements’ for a ‘cleaner and more purist look’ and actually it is very effective, especially in our test car’s inky Waitomo Blue paint.
Tech upgrades includes the ability to stream from third-party music apps (great) and more warnings on the virtual cockpit digital instrument binnacle (not so great).
What are the specs?
The engine line-up carries over as a choice of 3.0-litre V6 petrols and diesels boosted by mild-hybrid tech (a small lithium-ion battery and belt-driven alternator/starter), plus a plug-in and a high-performance model.
Petrol models start from the 55 TFSI with 335bhp, moving up through the plug-in hybrid 55 TFSI e quattro (389bhp) and the high-performance SQ7 variant (a twin-turbocharged V8 with 500bhp).
We’re testing the 50 TDI, which is the most powerful diesel variant with 282bhp/443lb ft and the promise of 34.0-35.8mpg. It starts from £68,135.
The 45 TDI trades a reasonable slug of performance (228bhp/369lb ft) while providing the most affordable entry-point to Q7 ownership at £65,095. Audi quotes the same 34.0-35.8mpg for the 45 TDI.
All get all-wheel drive, air suspension with a 90mm range of adjustment and an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
How does it drive?
Our Launch Edition gets ‘sport’ focussed air suspension which does bobble a little at low speeds on its 21-inch alloys, but the slight firmness never irritates – in fact it quickly eases with speed, where the Q7 takes on a lovely supple feel in its Comfort setting. Add in comfy seats, a hushed powertrain and very little wind noise and it’s genuinely relaxing.
Controls are moderately weighted and responsive, helping to shrink the Q7’s considerable size and mass, and while the Q7 is never going to be nimble at five-metres and two-tonnes plus, our Launch Edition spec’s all-wheel steering does make it steer far more energetically than you’d perhaps expect – plus it’s naturally integrated too, so doesn’t feel odd like some systems can.
The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel is smooth and responsive (if with a typically SUV-lazy throttle tip-in from junctions), has real grunt in the mid-range and frugal too – five-up and loaded with a week’s worth of luggage, we managed 35.6mpg and 600 miles on a tank with a further 30 miles showing until empty. That’s a match for the WLTP test figures and proof that diesel is still unbeatable when it comes to hassle-free mile munching.
What about the interior?
Inside it feels solidly built with the precision feel and high-quality materials we expect from Audi. The twin-screen infotainment isn’t the most responsive and requires too much eyes-off-the-road time (mostly because the heater controls are part of the digital interface, not physical controls), but in general it’s a smart-looking system that still does the job.
Premium practicality is where the Q7 really scores, thanks to a middle row that slides or folds forward on demand, plus a part-time third row that electrically deploys and leaves enough room for adults
Boot space flexes from 780 litres with two rows of seating in place to 1908 litres with just row one in place, and an electric tailgate is standard.
Before you buy (trims and rivals)
The UK trim structure walks up from S line (from £65,095) to Black Edition (from £69,645) and then leaps to all-the-toys Vorsprung (£87,695).
As a minimum there’s 20-inch alloys, Matrix LED headlights, privacy glass, Valcona leather, twin touchscreens, sat-nav and Audi virtual cockpit (a digital instrument binnacle), plus a power tailgate and the seven-seat layout including Isofix anchors in the part-time third row.
There are all sorts of driver-assistance gizmos too, perhaps most usefully a rear-view camera and Parking System Plus that gives you a 360-visual of this five-metre plus SUV.
Our First Edition has now been discontinued but cost £82,730. Compared with S line spec it gets upgrades including 21-inch alloys, black exterior trim, all-wheel steering and the Technology Pack, including a punchy B&O sound system.
In terms of luxurious seven-seat alternatives, you might also consider a Land Rover Discovery, Volvo XC90 and either the BMW X5 (seven seats are optional) or X7.
Verdict: Audi Q7
This is only the gentlest of facelifts to keep the Q7 fresh for another 18 months or so until the third-generation model arrives, but it’s visually effective and the rest of the package reminds us just how good the Q7 is, especially as the 50 TDI we tested.
Refined, luxurious, practical, economical and good to drive, the Q7 might be nearing its 10th birthday, but it’s still well worth a look and makes a fabulous all-rounder in 50 TDI trim.
Specs are for a Q7 50 TDI Launch Edition