Audi Q7
Used Car Review

Overview

The Audi Q7 is the three-row luxury SUV built for families who refuse to compromise. The Audi Q7 might be exactly what you’re looking for. This premium seven-seat SUV delivers Audi’s signature blend of luxury, technology, and engineering excellence in a spacious, family-friendly package. It’s the car for people who need genuine practicality but refuse to compromise on comfort or prestige.

From the moment you see it, the Q7 commands attention. Its imposing presence and distinctive grille announce your arrival with confidence, while refined details show this isn’t just about size. Inside, you’ll find a cabin that rivals the finest luxury saloons, with premium materials and cutting-edge technology throughout. The Q7 manages to feel both substantial and sophisticated, offering space for seven adults while maintaining the refined driving experience you’d expect from Audi.

Driving the Q7 reveals its true character. Despite its size, it feels surprisingly agile and composed on the road. The engines deliver smooth, effortless power that makes overtaking and motorway cruising feel natural. Air suspension keeps everyone comfortable while advanced quattro all-wheel drive provides confidence in all conditions. While it commands a premium price compared to mainstream rivals like the Nissan Qashqai, you’re investing in a vehicle that delivers genuine luxury and capability every day.

What's the Audi Q7 Like to Drive?

The Audi Q7 offers a range of sophisticated engines designed for effortless cruising rather than outright speed. The entry-level 45 TDI diesel delivers around 231 horsepower, providing smooth acceleration and excellent fuel economy for such a large vehicle. The 55 TFSI petrol engine ups the ante with 340 horsepower, offering genuinely quick performance with a 0-60 time of around 5.7 seconds. For those wanting ultimate performance, the SQ7 delivers supercar-rivalling acceleration in a family-friendly package.

Where the Q7 truly excels is in its composure and refinement. The adaptive air suspension smooths out road imperfections beautifully, while the quattro all-wheel drive system provides reassuring traction in all conditions. The steering is precise and well-weighted, making this large SUV feel more manageable than its dimensions suggest. On the motorway, it’s whisper quiet and supremely comfortable, while country lanes reveal surprisingly agile handling for such a substantial vehicle. The Q7 proves that luxury and capability can work in perfect harmony.

How Comfortable Is the Audi Q7?

The Q7’s expansive cabin showcases luxury SUV comfort through sophisticated design and meticulously curated materials throughout. The dashboard architecture is clean and sophisticated, dominated by Audi’s latest MMI infotainment system with crisp graphics and intuitive controls. Premium leather upholstery comes as standard, while higher trim levels add exquisite diamond-quilted seats and real wood inlays. The build quality is exemplary, with every switch and surface feeling solid and precisely engineered.

The front seats are supremely comfortable with extensive electrical adjustment and memory functions. The second row offers genuine space for three adults, while the third row provides usable accommodation for children or smaller adults. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit replaces traditional gauges with a customizable digital display, while the available Bang & Olufsen sound system delivers concert-hall audio quality. Climate control is comprehensive with separate zones for all passengers, ensuring everyone travels in comfort regardless of the weather outside.

The Audi Q7 represents the pinnacle of luxury SUV design, combining genuine seven-seat practicality with premium refinement and advanced technology. Its sophisticated interior, smooth engines, and composed driving dynamics make it a compelling choice for families who refuse to compromise on quality. The build quality and attention to detail justify the premium price tag.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

Is the Audi Q7 Expensive to Run?

The Q7’s running costs reflect its full-size luxury positioning, though newer iterations have made meaningful efficiency gains. The diesel engines are the most economical choice, with real-world fuel consumption around 35-40 mpg on longer journeys, impressive for such a large vehicle. The petrol engines sacrifice some economy for performance, typically returning around 25-30 mpg in mixed driving. Insurance costs will be substantial due to the high value and powerful engines.

The main consideration is the significant purchase price. New Q7s start from around £60,000, placing them firmly in premium territory alongside rivals like the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE. However, Audi’s strong residual values help offset this initial outlay, and flexible car finance options make ownership more accessible. Servicing costs are reasonable for the class, though genuine parts and specialist knowledge come at a premium. The Q7’s sophisticated engineering means regular maintenance is crucial for reliable operation.

Audi Q7 Practicality & Boot Space

For a luxury SUV, the Q7 is genuinely practical. The 770-litre boot easily accommodates family holidays or weekly shopping trips, expanding to nearly 2,000 litres with all rear seats folded. The power-operated tailgate and low loading lip make it easy to load heavy items. Seven seats come as standard, with the rearmost row suitable for children or occasional adult use. Each seating position offers good storage for personal items.

Where the Q7 particularly excels is in its day-to-day usability. The high driving position provides excellent visibility, while parking sensors and cameras make manoeuvring surprisingly easy despite the substantial dimensions. The interior offers numerous storage compartments for family essentials. For regular seven-seat use, the Q7 is among the most comfortable options available, offering more space and luxury than mainstream alternatives. It strikes an excellent balance between size and sophistication, making it ideal for used Audi cars buyers seeking maximum versatility.

The Audi Q7 emerges as the definitive luxury SUV, where commanding presence harmonizes effortlessly with sophisticated practicality. It packages Audi’s renowned build quality, cutting-edge technology, and refined driving experience into a spacious seven-seat format that works brilliantly for modern family life. While it commands a significant investment, the Q7’s combination of space, luxury, and capability is difficult to match.

You choose the Q7 when you need maximum space but refuse to sacrifice luxury or driving pleasure. Its sophisticated interior, smooth performance, and advanced safety features make it ideal for everything from school runs to long-distance touring. For discerning buyers seeking a luxury SUV that truly delivers on all fronts, the Q7 remains at the top of the class, with cars under £10,000 offering earlier generations at attractive prices.