2024 Audi Q7 Review: Aging Like Fine Wine
Mid-size SUVs big enough to fit a third row are popular in the USA because they serve as spacious five-seaters with a big trunk but can accommodate up to seven people in a pinch. Even if the third row is only suitable for children, it makes the car much more versatile - and ideal for the car-pool school run. The premium segment isn't short of players, with the Audi Q7 joined by the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV, Genesis GV80, and Volvo XC90 - all offering third-row flexibility. The Audi is already seven years old but still offers a compelling package, and it has been updated regularly. It handles surprisingly well, comes with an upscale cabin, and offers a choice between a base 261-horsepower four-cylinder engine and a 335-hp MHEV V6. It faces tough competition that isn't only more powerful but cheaper, too. Let's see if the Audi still has the measure of its rivals.
New for 2024
The 2024 Q7 gets various updates to its features and specifications. Adaptive cruise control is now standard across the range, and remote engine start is offered through the Audi Connect app. All Premium Plus trims and up get multicolor adjustable LED ambient interior lighting. Packages are also improved, with traffic sign recognition soon to be part of the Executive package.
The S line Sport package becomes available on the Q7 55 Prestige trim for MY2024 and comes with a host of features, a few of which are special 21- or 22-inch alloys, adaptive sport suspension, rear-axle steering, and both the S line and Black Optic exterior packages. Inside, the S line Sport also adds Valcona leather upholstery, an extended leather interior package, front sports seats, and special trim. Newly optional on the 55 Prestige are a faux-suede Dinamica headliner and HD matrix-design LED headlights with Audi Laser Light.
2024 Audi Q7 Price: Which One to Buy
For the 2024 model year, the price of a new Audi Q7 SUV in Premium 45 TFSI quattro increases from $59,200 to $59,500. This is followed by the Premium Plus 45 TFSI quattro at $63,300, the Premium 55 TFSI quattro at $65,300, the Premium Plus 55 TFSI quattro at $69,100, and the Prestige 55 TFSI quattro at $75,100. Adding the S line Sport package to the Prestige will cost you exactly $5,000. These prices are MSRP and don't include the $1,195 destination fee.
We like the Premium Plus trim the most because it adds really nice features, such as a wireless charging pad, a surround-view camera, and a premium B&O audio system. There's no point opting for the four-cylinder engine to save fuel because the more powerful 48-V mild-hybrid system in the V6 gives it the same 21 mpg overall as the four-pot. The V6 is more refined, more powerful, and can tow a lot more. So, our favorite is the Premium Plus 55 TFSI if the budget stretches that far.
Premium 45 TFSI quattro | Premium Plus 55 TFSI quattro | Prestige 55 TFSI quattro |
---|---|---|
Base | Best Buy | Flagship |
$ 59500 | $ 65300 | $ 65300 |
2.0L turbo-four (261 hp/273 lb-ft) | Equipped with the Premium Plus 45 TFSI quattro’s features, plus: | Equipped with the Premium Plus 55 TFSI quattro’s features, plus: |
19-inch alloys | 3.0L turbocharged V6 MHEV (335 hp/369 lb-ft) | Adaptive air suspension |
Heated power front seats | 20-inch alloys | Quad-zone climate control |
Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert | Towing capacity of 7,700 lbs | Ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats |
Dual 12.3-inch & 10.1-inch displays | 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds | Head-up display |
City/highway/combined EPA estimates of 19/24/21 mpg | Available S line Sport package |
Best Deals on 2024 Audi Q7
Interior and Features
The cabin still looks modern, but the center displays are mounted lower than is the norm nowadays - a pointer to the car’s age.
The Q7 might be getting on in years, but you wouldn't say so, sitting inside. The driver is faced with a trio of high-tech digital displays, which can be a bit confounding to use until you're accustomed to them. The cabin is finished in premium soft-touch materials, with a dashboard covered in stitched leatherette, even in the base car. The seats are yielding but supportive, though adjustment options are limited. The power-adjustable steering column makes it easy enough to reach a comfortable driving position. Access to the first two rows is easy through big doors, and there is plenty of interior space. Getting into the third row requires some clambering, with limited space back there. There are many pillars to peer around, but this is par for the course for most cars in this class; at least the Audi gives you a commanding view out and all-around parking sensors to help you maneuver it.
Space
The front cabin is spacious, but the front seats don't offer as many adjustment options as you'd expect, lacking, for instance, extendable thigh support. Still, it's easy to get comfortable, and there is a ton of legroom in the second row, though not quite as much as you'll find in a GLE. The third row is difficult to access and requires some acrobatics that only children won't mind, which is just as well because only children will fit back there with less legroom available than rivals such as the XC90 and GV80.
Cargo
The trunk space available behind the Audi's third seat is a useful 14.2 cu-ft, more than most rivals and about as much as you'll find in the typical mid-size sedan. Fold the 50/50-split third row down, and the available trunk volume shoots up to a generous 35.7 cu-ft. The second row is split into even thirds, and with it stowed as well, a maximum of 69.6 cu-ft is available - a lot but less than most of the competition, some of which exceed 80 cu-ft. A small nook is netted off on the left of the luggage area to keep smaller items from rolling around in the trunk.
In the cabin, the Q7 comes to the party with the usual glovebox and four big door pockets with bottle holders. There are two cupholders next to the shifter, a phone rest behind them, and a lidded storage box behind that. The second row's two cupholders live in the fold-down center armrest and fold open to securely grip even tall traveling coffee mugs, while small uncovered storage nooks with incorporated cupholders can be found on either side of the third row in the side moldings.
Audi Q7 | Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV | Genesis GV80 | |
---|---|---|---|
Seating | 7 Seater | 5/7 Seater | 7 Seater |
Headroom | 39.9 in. front 38.8 in. 2nd row 29.2 in. 3rd row | 40.5 in. 1st row 36.9 in. 2nd row TBA for 3rd row | 40.2 in. front 38.4 in. 2nd row 34.3 in. 3rd row |
Legroom | 41.7 in. front 38.8 in. 2nd row 29.2 in. 3rd row | 40.3 in. front 40.9 in. 2nd row TBA in. optional 3rd row | 41.6 in. front 38.7 in. 2nd row 30.3 in. 3rd row |
Trunk Space | 14.2 ft³ behind 3rd row 35.7 ft³ behind 2nd row 69.6 ft³ behind 1st row | TBA behind optional 3rd row 33.3 ft³ behind 2nd row 74.9 ft³ behind 1st row | 11.6 ft³ behind 3rd row 34.9 ft³ behind 2nd row 84 ft³ behind 1st row |
Materials and Colors
All Audi Q7 trims get leather upholstery, and you can choose from various interior colors. The default scheme in the Premium is all Black, but you can also opt for Metro Gray/Black with a Metro Gray carpet, Okapi Brown/Black with a black carpet, and Saiga Beige/Black with a black carpet. In all cases, the cloth headliner is Lunar Silver, but it can be exchanged for a black one at no extra cost, except in the Saiga Beige interior. The trim inlays are high-gloss Gray Oak, but you can select no-cost Gray-Brown Fine-Grain Ash natural wood if you prefer. The dashboard is trimmed in stitched leatherette. In the Premium Plus, you get the same upholstery and wood choices, but the armrests and console also gain stitched leatherette trim.
The Prestige has access to the $6,850 Luxury package, which comes with the same interior color themes as the other trims, but with a black Dinamica faux-suede headliner and premium Valcona/Cricket leather upholstery. The Prestige S line Sport's interior comes only with perforated and quilted Nappa leather upholstery in Rotor Gray/Black with Anthracite stitching or in Black/Black with Rock Gray stitching. An extended leather package is included with the S line Sport, along with steel-capped pedals, brushed aluminum trim inlays, and a black cloth headliner. The steering wheel is trimmed in leather in all models.
Features and Infotainment
The Q7's generous standard equipment includes keyless entry with push-button start, heated power front seats, a power panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control with an 8.6-inch touchscreen and second-row vents, an electrically tilting/telescoping leather steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Higher trims gain additional features such as ventilated and massaging front seats, quad-zone climate control, and multicolor adjustable ambient LED lighting.
The infotainment system's 10.1-inch touchscreen sits above the smaller HVAC touchscreen and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth audio streaming, SiriusXM with a three-month Platinum Plan trial subscription, an MP3-capable audio system with 12 speakers, and a six-month Audi Connect Plus subscription with Amazon Alexa, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and traffic-light information. The Premium Plus trims and up gain a wireless charging pad and a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Premium 45 TFSI quattro | Premium Plus 55 TFSI quattro | Prestige 55 TFSI quattro | |
---|---|---|---|
Tri-zone climate control with rear vents | S | S | S |
Power-adjustable heated front seats | S | S | S |
12.3" & 10.1" displays with navigation | S | S | S |
Heated rear seats | N/A | O | S |
17-speaker B&O audio system | N/A | S | S |
Performance
The Audi still feels sharp to drive and more agile than most SUVs in this class, making it an agreeable companion on any road.
The engine in the Audi Q7 45 trims is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder with 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Its performance will be more than swift enough for most people but for those with a yearning for speed, it has to be the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine in the 55 trims with its 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and 48-V mild-hybrid system; with this engine, the Audi Q7's 0-60 sprint drops to 5.7 seconds. Both engines are limited to a top speed of 130 mph. An eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro AWD are standard. Trailering is a given in a big SUV, and the Q7 has a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 lbs with the V6. With no automaker-provided ground clearance or a dual-range transmission, the Q7 clearly isn't designed for off-roading.
Given that athletic antics aren't expected of SUVs, the Q7 has always surprised with its ability to provide BMW-like driving pleasure. You can't exactly call it agile, and it doesn't give that RWD feel you get from a BMW, but it feels uncommonly alert, strapped down, and keen to tackle a corner. The Sport mode livens things up further, but the way the steering locks up all of a sudden when turning the wheel feels a bit computer-generated. It's not enough to spoil the experience, though. The ride quality is firmly damped but never harsh.
Fuel Efficiency
The four-cylinder's EPA-estimated gas mileage is middling in this class, as it lacks the V6's 48-V mild-hybrid system. The Audi Q7's mpg figures in the 45 trims of 19/25/21 mpg for the city/highway/combined cycles lag behind the competition. There's hardly a consumption penalty when opting for the V6, as the MHEV manages 19/24/21 mpg. With the same combined consumption and 22.5-gallon fuel capacity, all Q7s should achieve a range of around 472 miles on a tank.
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 8-Speed Automatic AWD | 3.0L Turbo V6 Gas MHEV 8-Speed Automatic AWD | |
---|---|---|
Power | 261 hp | 335 hp |
Top speed | 130 mph | 130 mph |
MPG | 19/25/21 mpg | 19/24/21 mpg |
0-60 | 6.7 sec. | 5.7 sec. |
Safety
Crash safety is very good, and the Q7 gains adaptive cruise control across the board this year, but some items, such as a surround-view camera, are still not standard on all trims.
Every safety review of the Audi Q7 produces top results; the NHTSA gives the 2024 Q7 five stars overall, and the IIHS gave the 2023 model a Top Safety Pick+ award. The LED-matrix headlights were rated Good, but the regular LED headlights scored Acceptable.
Besides the expected eight airbags and a brace of passive safety features, every Q7 comes with a suite of driver assists. The standard ones at the base level include adaptive cruise control, front-collision alert, lane-keep assist, active lane-change assist, parking sensors front and rear, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic LED headlights with auto high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. A surround-view camera can be added via the Convenience package, which also adds lane guidance. The Premium Plus gains matrix-LED headlights and a standard surround-view camera. Only the Prestige gets a head-up display and remote automated parking. Optional on the prestige only are HD matrix-design LED headlights with Audi Laser Light.
Premium 45 TFSI quattro | Premium Plus 55 TFSI quattro | Prestige 55 TFSI quattro | |
---|---|---|---|
Adaptive cruise control | S | S | S |
Active lane-keep assist | S | S | S |
Blind-spot monitoring & cross-traffic alert | S | S | S |
Surround-view camera | O | S | S |
Head-up display | N/A | N/A | S |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
---|---|---|---|
5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Reliability
For MY2024, J.D. Power rates the quality and reliability of the Audi Q7 an average 78 out of 100, but things look better on the recall front, with none listed for either 2023 or 2024 at time of writing. The 2022 Q7 was recalled only for a blank backup-camera display.
The limited warranty and the powertrain warranty of the 2024 Audi Q7 are both valid for four years/50,000 miles, but unlike rival BMW, no complimentary servicing is included in the price.
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
---|---|---|---|
4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles |
Design
There's an understated handsomeness to the Audi Q7's design, with smart LED DRL signatures, muscularly flared wheel arches, and clean surfacing that is testimony to a typically disciplined Teutonic design philosophy. It doesn't stand out in any way as it lacks the avant-garde coupe styling of the Q8 and because it's now been around for several years. The base Premium 45 gets a hands-free power liftgate, a power panoramic sunroof, 19-inch alloys, and LED headlights, but the Premium 55 and all trims above it get matrix-design LED headlights, while the Premium Plus 55 and all trims above it upgrade to 20-inch wheels. The Prestige S line Sport gets 21-inch alloys with red brake calipers, the blacked-out Black Optic package, and more aggressive bumpers. The Black Optic package can optionally be applied to the Premium Plus and Prestige, but the Prestige is the only trim eligible for LED-laser headlights.
Verdict: Is The 2024 Audi Q7 A Good SUV?
The Audi Q7 is still a great choice in the mid-size segment thanks to its excellent ride/handling balance, high level of equipment, and standard third row. But it's now seven years old, and rivals such as the Genesis GV80 are cheaper, roomier, and quicker. Audi has kept it up to date, though, and the array of digital screens is impressive, if a little intimidating until you learn the ropes. The Audi is by no means perfect, but it does an excellent job in this class and is still worthy of recommendation.