Audi Q7 2020 Review – International

With the BMW X7 and its over-sized grille now on sale, the next Mercedes-Benz GLS not far away and some significant in-house competition being offered by the all-new Audi Q8, it’s a good time for the Audi Q7 to get a refresh.

The current range in Australia – albeit now sold out – kicked off with the 45 and 50 TDI 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesels. One or both will be back on sale in Australia in the first half of 2020.

If just one model is signed off it will likely be the 210kW/600Nm 50 TDI we’re sampling here. But the 170kW/500Nm isn’t being ruled out. Also under consideration is the 3.0-litre V6 55 turbo-petrol TFSI that makes 250kW/500Nm and which we also managed to drive in Ireland.

All three engines hook up via an eight-speed automatic and permanent all-wheel drive with a passive 40:60 torque split.

All powertrains also feature a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that is estimated to save up to 0.7L/100km coasting, idling and via idle-stop functions. Claimed fuel consumption is 6.8 to 7.1L/100km for the 45 and a slightly better 6.6 to 6.9L/100km for the 50. No figures for the TFSI as yet.

But there are performance claims. Audi says the 45 TDI can accelerate to 100km/h in 7.1 seconds, the 50 TDI in 6.3sec and the 55 TFSI in 5.9sec. That’s pretty good for vehicles that weigh well over two tonnes.

Beyond the models mentioned here the intention is to continue with an updated SQ7 V8 turbo-diesel, while two plug-in hybrids will be launched down the track and are under consideration to replace the PHEV badged e-tron offered in Australia. That moniker is now restricted to pure battery-electric vehicles.

You can pick the Audi Q7 from the vertical bars that signal it’s a member of Audi’s off-roader family. Beyond that it looks much like its predecessor. It is 11mm longer at 5.063m, but good luck picking that!

Inside the cabin the big change is the stacked touch-screens in the dashboard, replacing a single screen operated by a rotary dial and push buttons. With the virtual cockpit digital display alongside it, the Q7 dashboard has a very new-age look about it.

The touch-screen set-up comes straight from the Q8 and signals a significant upgrade in connectivity due to be announced at the end of July that will apply across an expanding number of Audi models. We previewed it here. You should find the full explanation elsewhere on carsales.com.au.

By the way, Audi’s proudly boasts up to seven people can personalise up to 400 functions for in the new Q7. It’s hard to imagine anyone having the time to do that, let alone what all those functions might be!

Seven seats are standard and space and ambience really is outstanding – especially in the first two rows. It is a quiet cruiser and everything is soft to the touch. Luggage space lifts from 865 litres with row three folded to 2050 litres with row two also lowered.

Braked towing capacity is 3500kg and a reversing camera-based reversing assist feature is offered.

You can order the Audi Q7 as a five-seater if you want. It’s a no-cost option, but you’ll be waiting a while as none will be stocked in Australia.

All seven-seat Q7s come standard with adaptive air suspension that can vary ride height through a 90mm range and the stiffness of the chassis in concert with adaptive dampers.

Rear wheel steering and electromechanical active roll stabilization trickle down from the SQ7 to be offered as options on the Q7 update. You won’t be surprised to learn this trick stuff was bundled into the test vehicles!

And as already noted…

The Audi Q7 really does drive very well considering its size.

On a day clogged with traffic the rare opportunity for a blat revealed more talent for cornering than thought possible. Hey, the point of that is not so much you’re going to head out on a Sunday morning blast, but with your family onboard it’s going to respond confidently in an emergency situation.

Just as important considering that role as a family transporter, it has a comfortable ride -- something aided by its long wheelbase and well-tuned adaptive suspension.

It takes a big pothole to upset its demeanour in ‘drive select’ comfort mode, even on 22-inch wheels. Nominate dynamic and the whole thing gets a bit more jittery, but it’s still more than acceptable. Its noticeable body roll and motion is substantially quelled. The whole thing hunkers down and gets on with it, be it diesel or petrol.

But speaking of those engines you do sense some differences there. While it is very refined by diesel standards, the TDI does feel a tad harsher and has more lag. A couple of times a solid press of the throttle at low revs produced think music for a few milliseconds and little else.

The petrol V6 is more of a spinner, feels lighter in its responses and doesn’t lack for low-down response. Sure it produces 100Nm less torque, but there’s still a plentiful 500Nm and somehow it makes its peak from much lower revs (1370rpm versus 2250rpm) than the TDI.

Dynamic mode improved the throttle response of both engines, but also made the steering too heavy. So it was into individual mode to set the suspension and steering to comfort and the engine to dynamic, that worked a treat for our tourist road cruise.

One thing we didn’t do was drive the new Audi Q7 off-road, although plenty of time was spent with two wheels on dirt thanks to the narrow roads and oncoming traffic. Considering we were driving left-hand drive Q7s on the left-side of the road that really sharpened up the senses!

Audi says the price of the Q7 is going up. That means a starting point north of $100,000 when stock is replenished. How far north depends what models are brought in.

With the on-sale date so far away Audi isn’t furnishing pricing details, nor is it too specific about equipment. But things like a leather interior, power tailgate, eight airbags and four-zone climate control will continue to be standard.

An S-Line trim is likely to be one optional package, but with Audi nowadays trying to simplify its range don’t expect pages and pages of extras to add on to the Q7.

One thing Audi is boasting about is the Q7’s semi-autonomous capability. It can do an emergency stop if it senses the driver has become non-responsive, but whether that’s standard, optional or unavailable in Australia we’ll have to wait and see.

This is a worthwhile overhaul of a really good vehicle. Easily dismissed as a big bus of a thing, the Audi Q7 is actually a surprisingly decent drive – have I mentioned that already? – as well as being a very good place to ride.

There’s no showboating, no giant grille. In the rarefied world of 100K-plus SUVs the Q7 stands out for not standing out. It just works.

How much does the 2020 Audi Q7 50 TDI quattro cost?
Price: $110,000 (estimate)
Available: By mid-2020
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel
Output: 210kW/600Nm (auto)
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.6-6.9L/100km
CO2: 171-181g/km
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2015)

How much does the 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI quattro cost?
Price: $110,000 (estimate)
Available: By mid-2020
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbo-petrol
Output: 250kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: N/A
CO2: N/A
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2015)