Audi SQ7 Review

It offers seemingly unparalleled levels of performance and practicality in a sleek and stylish European package, but it does command a sizable premium over the other members of the Q7 family. 

With that in mind, just how good is the Audi SQ7, and is the pick of the bunch? Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $162,500

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Audi SQ7 7 (TDI QUATTRO MHEV) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Audi SQ7 car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Audi SQ7 is priced at $162,500 before on-road costs are added. 

For reference, the Q7 lineup kicks off from $103,300 for the entry-level Q7 45TDI Quattro, and rises to $121,300 for the Q7 50 Quattro S Line, while the Q7 55 TDI Quattro S Line is priced at $121,300. 

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What Features Does the Audi SQ7 Have?

The Audi SQ7 comes riding on a set of 22-inch alloy wheels, and receives dynamic all-wheel steering, Matrix LED headlights with Audi’s laser light system, adaptive sport air suspension, as well as Valcona leather upholstery, sport seats up front, a head-up display, four-zone climate control, keyless entry & start, a powered boot lift, surround-view camera, 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a pair of 10.1-inch and 8.6-inch touchscreens for the infotainment system and climate settings. 

Range Features: 

• 22-inch alloys
• Matrix LED headlights with Audi Laser Light 
• Adaptive sport suspension 
• Valcona leather upholstery 
• Dynamic all-wheel steering 
• Sport seats 
• Head-up display 
• Four-zone climate control 
• Surround-view camera 
• Adaptive cruise control 
• Semi-autonomous parking assistant 
• 12.3-inch digital driver’s display 
• 10.1-inch and 8.6-inch infotainment systems with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 
• Powered boot lift 
• Front & rear parking sensors Sports differential (Dynamic package) 
• Active roll stabilisation (Dynamic package) 
• Leather-upholstered dashboard (Sensory package)
• Ventilated and massaging front seats (Sensory package)
• Alcantara headliner (Sensory package)
• Heated rear seats (Sensory package)

Audi SQ7 Colours

The Audi SQ7 is available in a choice of exterior colours, including Carrara White,  Floret Silver, Glacier White, Matador Red, Myth Black, Navarra Blue and Daytona Grey pearlescent finishes. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

The Audi Q7 platform has quickly become one of the leaders within the premium SUV segment, and the SQ7 adds a considerable amount of speed to the equation, making for one of the most dynamic and exciting SUVs packages you’ll find on the market. 

Headlining the driving experience is a monstrous 4.0-litre V8 diesel unit with two turbochargers that produces 320kW of power and 900Nm of torque, which translates to a 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.8 seconds, which is impressive for a vehicle of this size. 

The high-powered engine also translates to some healthy towing figures, with braked towing capacity rated at 3,500kg to match the segment’s heavy-hitters, and a gross vehicle and combination mass rated at 2,460kg and 6,665kg respectively, making it a great option for towing boats and caravans come holiday time. 

On the road, the powertrain translates to some seriously entertaining acceleration, with supercar-like performance off a set of lights if, and when you’re in the mood. Commuting around town is even more effortless thanks to the smooth eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as the lightweight steering rack that makes navigating tight spots and car parks a simple task. 

The SQ7 has two distinctly different personalities, and at the press of a button can transform into a genuine performance machine, while remaining calm, comfortable and supportive on long road trips when comfort mode is engaged. 

Switching the SQ7 to sports mode no doubt takes its toll on the ride comfort, so it’s best to stick with smooth city streets, however, the adaptive air suspension in comfort mode works wonders at ironing out bumps on the road while minimising the amount of bodyroll you’ll experience through the corners. 

This adaptability and the sheer levels of driving sophistication combined make the SQ7 one of the most versatile and exciting SUVs on the market, offering a best of both worlds approach to the large SUV segment. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

Stepping inside the Audi Q7 is a feast for the eyes, with Audi offering the driver and front passenger a seriously high-tech cabin filled with premium accents and a lovely leather-upholstered cabin. 

Up front, there’s a heap of headroom for the driver to get comfortable, while the seating position is more akin to a comfortable lounge room than a car. 

The sleek interior design presents the driver with three screens in total, with the digital driver’s display powered by Audi’s virtual cockpit, as well as the infotainment and climate control settings making up the high-tech cabin. Higher-spec variants even gain an ambient lighting system that features a choice of 30 different colours and adds to the personalisation of the cabin. 

All up, the quality and packaging of the front of the cabin is outstanding, with Audi very much leading the pack in terms of its user-friendly and sleek interior designs. Practical elements up front include storage in the large folding armrest, 

In the second row of the cabin, there’s a sliding and reclining set of seats for passengers to get comfortable for long journeys, with a heap of headroom and acres of legroom for your guests. The SQ7 is more than up for accommodating tall adults, making for a supremely family-friendly package. 

The SQ7 retains a pair of ISOFIX anchors in the second row, as well as three top tether mounts that mean you can squeeze three child seats into the rear of the cabin, which is surprisingly easy thanks to the ease of access into the second row. 

The SQ7 retains the Q7’s three-row setup, which means there’s a small pair of seats in the rear of the cabin that can accommodate an extra set of legs, but you’ll want to be sure that they’re children. 

In terms of boot space, there’s 300L of boot space with all three rows of seats standing, which is pretty impressive for a seven-seater. Boot space expands to 704L with the third row folded, which offers more than enough space for the needs of a growing Australian family. 

Is it Safe? 

The Audi SQ7 has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 94% for adult protection, 88% for child protection, 70% for its pedestrian protection and 76% for its active safety technologies. 

As standard, the SQ7 comes packaged with adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian protection and collision warnings, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assistance and lane departure warnings, as well as rear cross-traffic alerts and a heap of airbags around the cabin. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

While it might be a performance heavyweight, fuel economy figures for the Audi SQ7 are pretty impressive when you consider its weight and outright acceleration potential. 

Officially, the SQ7 is rated at 7.6L/100km on a combined cycle, which makes it one of the most fuel-efficient performance SUVs thanks to its twin-turbo diesel powertrain that outperforms its main rivals when it comes to fuel efficiency. 

Our Verdict: Is the Audi SQ7 Worth it?

While it does command a sizable premium over the standard Q7 lineup, the Audi SQ7 is an outstanding seven-seater that has two distinctly different personalities. 

In comfort mode, it retains all the comfort and premium elements we’ve come to love from the Q7 platform, while a touch of the sport button transforms it into a genuine performance vehicle that can keep up with almost any sports car on the road. 

For buyers looking for a best-of-both-worlds approach to family-friendly motoring, it’s hard not to recommend the SQ7 when you consider its outright speed, space and practicality, and just how well it remains comfortable and smooth when needed. 

If you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 
2. Three-year, unlimited KM warranty
3. Twin-turbo V8 diesel rated at 7.6L/100km 
4. Adaptive air suspension included as standard 
5. 3,500kg braked towing capacity; 6,665kg gross combination mass 

Pros 

• Immense performance 
• Sleek, high-tech and practical cabin layout 
• Impressive fuel economy
• Smooth ride quality from adaptive air suspension 

Cons

• Limited three-year ownership program
• Pricey warranty extension packages 
• Expensive options lists

OnlineAuto Rating: 8.5/10

Audi SQ7 Competition