Audi Q7 50 TDI quattro 2020 Review

Prices for the heavily facelifted 2020 Audi Q7 range have gone up and now start at $101,900 for the entry-level Q7 45 TDI – up from $97,800 for the previous model.

However, the extra coin gets you lots more goodies, including a more powerful 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine (170kW/500Nm) and what Audi claims is $15,000 worth of extra equipment, including big-ticket features like matrix LED headlights that would impress Keanu Reeves.

Adaptive air suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, ambient interior LED lighting, three-zone climate control, seven seats (with power folding third row), adaptive cruise control, 360-degree parking camera views, wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay and a fancy new infotainment system comprising three high-definition screens work together to make driving life relaxed and seamless.

The latest Audi Q7 is an impressive machine to drive and certainly feels like more than just a facelifted model. It's easy to operate and has one of the best and most intuitive infotainment systems in its class. More on that topic later.

Step up to the Audi Q7 50 TDI model-grade tested here and you’ll pay more ($112,900) but get more – $20,000 more if you believe Audi.

It gets bigger 20-inch alloy wheels, a huge panoramic glass sunroof, a detailed head-up display, powered steering wheel adjustment and a more potent version of the mild-hybrid V6 diesel (210kW/600Nm).

There's also a third model-grade – the Audi Q7 50 TDI S line ($119,900) – that adds a number of sporty bits such as 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped with an S line body kit package.

Inside, there’s a premium Bang and Olufsen stereo and sports seats, steering wheel and gear shifter, plus matt aluminium accents, black cloth headlining, special floor mats and illuminated aluminium door
sill trims with S logos.

Oh, and Valcona leather upholstery with S embossing are added to the seats.

Audi reckons the updated Q7 is better value than its rivals because its entry-level model is a six-cylinder diesel, whereas the base BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE only offer four-cylinder diesel engines for around the same price.

Currently the Audi Q7 comes with a three-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, which lags behind Lexus (four years) and Mercedes-Benz (five years). There is a capped-price service option of sorts, allowing customers to pay $2310 for three years or $3190 for five years, which covers common service parts.

As far as interior packaging goes, leather seat trim for all occupants provide comfort and luxury and there's a lot of space. The third row misses out on the USB ports and air-vents found in the first and second row of seats but there are cup-holders.

The third-row seats are power-folding at the touch of a button and open up 865 litres of cargo space, which is quite good. Fold the second-row seats and you'll get 2050 litres, which is enough room to slot in several very large flat-screen TVs in their boxes.

The tailgate is power-operated and can be opened with a gesture like a fleet kick of the foot, but it takes practice to get it right without shin-boning yourself.

The resculpted exterior design of the 2020 Audi Q7 is impressive but the real highlight of this mid-life update is the integration of a classy new infotainment system first seen in the Audi Q8 and e-tron.

It features three LCD screens, the biggest and most important of which is the 12.3-inch virtual cockpit display, which is far more than just a whiz-bang digital speedometer that lives behind the steering wheel.

Powered by Nvidia processors, the digital instrument cluster cockpit is still one of the best in the biz, with plenty of customisability, intuitive controls and crisp graphics with Google Earth map overlays.

The second and third touch-screen displays measure 10.1- and 8.6-inches respectively and control multimedia and temperate systems respectively. Both touch-screens have haptic feedback, a small 'bump' that confirms an action, and both menu systems are about as intuitive as you'll find in this segment. While the BMW X5 and Benz GLE may be all-new, the Audi still trumps them for interior ease of use.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto are nice touches, and second-row passengers have a small touch-screen for tweaking the temperature too.

Fitted with heaps of autonomous driving aids that are actually really effective, the Audi Q7 can steer itself easily along freeways and the adaptive cruise control and auto parking functions work well.

It's got parking cameras and sensors galore but misses out on traffic sign (speed-limit) detection like the BMW X5 and Benz GLE.

Voice-control is good but requires a button press, unlike its two main rivals that respond to a spoken command.

Of course the usual safety systems are also part of the package, including a full suite of airbags plus stability control, anti-lock brakes, autonomous emergency braking and a tyre pressure indictor.

There's also collision avoidance assist which we didn’t get a chance to test, but the intersection crossing assist fitted as standard to all models is pretty nifty, monitoring the areas to the front and side of the vehicle.

Two engine types are on offer from launch – both 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6s equipped with engine idle/stop systems.

The Audi Q7 45 TDI generates 170kW/500Nm and the Audi Q7 50 TDI bumps that up to 210kW/600Nm. Both cars can tow a trailer weighing up to 3500kg if it has brakes attached.

To be frank, the lower-spec 45 TDI has ample thrust and would be more than enough for most situations. If you've got five people on board, their luggage, stuff on the roof racks and are towing, then maybe the more potent 50 TDI would be more useful.

Acceleration is silky smooth. Not too loud and clattery but overall very prompt. Audi claims 7.3 and 6.5sec 0-100km/h acceleration times for the Q7 45 TDI and Q7 50 TDI respectively, which is pretty rapid for these 2.2-tonne behemoths.

Fuel consumption for the Audi Q7 45 TDI is claimed at 7.0L/100km and I managed 6.9L/100km, suggesting the new 48-volt mild hybrid system (which includes a small lithium-ion battery) is more than just marketing hyperbole and actually does reduce fuel consumption by idling the engine and recuperating energy when not accelerating.

Claimed fuel consumption in the more powerful Audi Q7 50 TDI is lower at 6.8L/100km, due in part to an additional 'efficiency' mode not offered on the 45 TDI. During the launch the final fuel consumption figure in the 50 TDI was 7.8L/100km.

The newly-revised Audi Q7 now comes with adaptive air suspension as standard, which provides the car with very good ride comfort. As a large luxury load-lugger, the updated Audi performs well.

Backed up continuously variable adaptive shock absorbers, the air suspension improves handling dynamics a little bit. Changes to the steering ratio make the big German SUV more responsive to wheel input, which makes navigating tight urban car parks and flowing country roads a little easier now.

Overall, driving and comfort are levels are quite good and the eight-speed automatic transmission is a quiet and smooth operator. The brakes are up to the task too, but if you want you can option ceramic brakes for $19,000.

I could think of better options to spend your pennies on, like the $13,000 sensory package that adds massaging, ventilated front seats, a 23-speaker premium stereo and several other bits and bobs.

The facelifted Audi Q7 was always going to face an uphill battle in the face of two all-new, more advanced rivals from Germany.

But Audi has done a commendable job with this considerable update. The in-car tech – and especially the infotainment system – are highlights here. While there may be a five-year-old platform holding it together, the 2020 Audi Q7 certainly doesn’t feel dated.

The value equation continues with V6 diesel power for a similar price to four-cylinder versions of its most direct rivals, so there should easily be enough appeal here to keep the Audi Q7 front of mind for large luxury SUV buyers.

How much does the 2020 Audi Q7 50 TDI quattro cost?
Price: $112,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel mild-hybrid
Output: 210kW/600Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 180g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2015)