Anthony Fongaro
Remember the year 2017? Back then, Apple debuted the X, fidget spinners briefly captured the attention of millions, and Despacito hit the airways. That same year, Audi introduced the second-generation Q7 SUV. It was a luxurious seven-row crossover with a strong engine lineup. Now for 2025, Audi has given the Q7 a facelift. It has an upgraded infotainment system, updated lights, and better materials. Still, competition has been fierce. In 2017, the Audi Q7 was one of the best luxurious three-row crossovers in the market. Let’s see if the Q7 is still one of the best.
With a long and low silhouette, the Audi Q7 looks more like a jacked-up wagon. This Q7 came with the $12,000 Prestige Package which adds a multitude of options. At the front, an oversized grille is flanked by LED headlights and sensors for the safety systems. There are optional headlight washers along with lower separate grilles. This Q7 was finished in Tamarina Brown Metallic and included 21-inch 5-double-spoke wheels, which is a part of the $2,100 Black Optic package. All the trim and badging are painted black, giving this Q7 a sporty and stealthy appearance. The taillights are also LED, with a flat Audi badge and badges for Q7.
Inside, a Saiga Beige interior bathes the cabin in elegance. The Prestige Package gives the front seats heating, ventilation, and an excellent massaging system. Rear outboard seats also get heating and ventilation. In front of the driver is a sporty steering wheel with controls for the digital gauge cluster and media. There’s a separate stalk for the adaptive cruise control which isn’t as intuitive as having the buttons on the steering wheel. A large head-up display keeps the driver’s eyes on the road and is accompanied by Audi’s MMI touchscreen. This comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and is simple to use. What isn’t as easy to use is the climate control system. They’re housed in a separate screen and it takes a bit to figure out where everything is while on the road. An oversized gear shifter feels a little old-fashioned, and the omission of an auto-hold button felt like an odd decision.
Still, the seats are incredibly comfortable. A wireless charger is under the center console but there isn’t a lot of storage space throughout the cabin. Second-row seating is good and get their own climate controls, but third-row seating is very tight. Third-row seats are electronically controlled but they lower and higher very slowly. Still, buttons in the rear to higher or lower the air suspension are a nice touch. A Bang and Olufsen sound system comes with the Prestige Package and has excellent bass and treble. The panoramic sunroof lets in plenty of light. This may not have the most impressive tech, but the interior is nicely laid out and very comfortable for the first two rows.
Powering the Audi Q7 and designating it a 55 TFSI is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. With Quattro all-wheel-drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Audi Q7 55 TFSI accelerates from 0-60 MPH in 5.9 seconds. It has plenty of power and various driving modes including comfort, dynamic, auto, offroad, individual, and eco. I kept the Q7 in comfort and the massage seats on the entire time. Thanks to optional rear-wheel steering, handling is better than you would expect for a large crossover. I do wish the adaptive cruise controls were on the steering wheel, but once it’s activated, it keeps the vehicle in the center of the lane and at a set distance from the vehicle in front of it. Fuel economy was between 18-20 MPG. Not the best, but better than a Genesis GV80.
Pricing for the Audi Q7 starts at $60,500. This being a German luxury SUV, there are plenty of options. The Prestige Package, priced at $12,100, adds 20″ 5-double-spoke design wheels, all-season run-flat tires, a Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D sound system, comfort adaptive air suspension, dual-pane acoustic glass for side windows, four-zone automatic climate control, HD Matrix-design LED headlights with Audi laser light, a headlight washer system, a head-up display with traffic sign recognition, heated outboard rear seats, illuminated door sills, ambient interior lighting, leather upholstery for the upper dash, center console, and door armrests, and additional luxury features like power lumbar for rear seats, remote fold for the rear passenger seatbacks, a top-view camera system, and ventilation/massage functionality for the front seats. The Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System with 3D sound adds $4,900, and the Black Optic package, which includes 21″ 5-double-spoke module-design wheels with matte gray finish, all-season tires, anthracite gray Audi rings, and black exterior trim, is priced at $2,100. The all-wheel steering system is an additional $1,350, and the trailer hitch costs $750. All in all, this costs almost $89,000.
If that sounds like a lot, and it does, then the 45 Premium Plus comes with a smaller 2.0-liter inline-four engine and starts at $64,500. Add another $5,000 for the 55 Premium Plus. Whichever trim you choose, the Q7 has a lot still going for it. The interior is very comfortable, it rides well, gets decent fuel economy, and has good power. There aren’t that many storage spaces and the third row should only be used in emergencies, short journeys, or small children. Still, the Q7 maintains being one of the best three-row luxury crossovers on the market.
