AUDI Q7 ESTATE SQ7 TFSI Quattro Vorsprung 5dr Tiptronic

Audi's potent SQ7 gets potent V8 petrol power. Jonathan Crouch looks at what's on offer from the improved version.

Ten Second Review

Audi's huge, powerful SQ7 gets some subtle updates but stil offers a powerful petrol V8 and continues to re-write the rulebook for large, family-sized performance-minded SUVs. You get an emotive soundtrack with this 507PS TFSI engine, storming performance and virtually no turbo lag.

Background

If you're going to have a really large seven-seat SUV and want a very, very fast one, there aren't many options. The choices you will have almost all feature very thirsty V8 petrol engines that'll have the local green lobby up in arms every time you nip to the shops. Until 2021, Audi's SQ7 was an exception, using a V8 TDI diesel. But from that date it too got an emotive petrol V8 up-front. Now it's had a styling wash 'n brush-up too. The figures here may cause you to do a bit of a double-take: 507PS (up from 435PS with the V8 diesel) and 770Nm of torque (down from 900Nm with the diesel). All from a V8 featuring cylinder-on-demand technology, so in theory, it shouldn't be crippling to run in regular use. Sounds reasonable? Then read on...

Driving Experience

There are no changes beneath the bonnet with this revised model, so as before at the heart of the SQ7 TFSI is a 507PS twin turbo V8 4.0-litre petrol engine that firmly stakes this performance flagship SUV's claim amongst the most potent models of this kind on the market. The 0-62 mph sprint time is just 4.1 seconds (improved from 4.8s with the previous V8 diesel). As before, the top speed is limited to 155mph.  The powerplant in the SQ7 works with strong partners, including a quick-shifting eight-speed tiptronic auto that changes gears extremely quickly and efficiently. A self-locking centre differential is the heart of the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. It's compact, lightweight and interacts very precisely with the suspension control system. An optional sport differential provides stable and precise steering, particularly during fast acceleration out of bends. Variable torque between the wheels on the rear axle offers supreme control in curves and the car is pressed precisely into the bend as a result. The maxim of lightweight construction also applies to the suspension - its links are made primarily of aluminium. Electromechanical power steering, the Audi drive select driving dynamics system and adaptive air suspension with S-specific tuning are standard. Buyers will be offered an optional driving dynamics package comprising three technology modules: sport differential, electromechanical active roll stabilisation and all-wheel steering.

Design and Build

This further revised version of the second generation SQ7 features smarter bumpers front and rear and some lighting upgrades. The headlamps can now be specified with HD Matrix LED units featuring different lighting signatures and the brand's 'Laser' high-beam system. While at the rear, there are striking OLED tail lamp clusters. There are redesigned wheels too, with sizes between 21 and 22-inches. The large octagon Singleframe grille continues and as before, three seating rows are standard. As before, the SQ7 gets a model-specific radiator grille with an S design at the bumpers. Other distinguishing features are the side air inlets, the mirror housings and door inlays in standard aluminium. The exhaust system terminates in four rectangular tailpipes. Matrix LED headlights are fitted as standard and have a pronounced three-dimensional appearance with a double-arrow signature. Inside with this revised model, there are fresh trim, leather and stitching options, plus the screen tech gets updated software and graphics. Otherwise, Audi's so-called 'luxury lounge' cabin architecture remains as before. Super sports seats upholstered in dark Valcona leather with integrated head restraints are standard, as are soft Alcantara door inserts and brushed aluminium inlays. The fully-digitalised 'Audi Virtual Cockpit' screen you view through the wheel is standard and gets an S-specific display. You also get the brand's 'MMI navigation plus' package, which includes touch-screen operation and top-of-the-line connectivity. As with other Q7 models, this car is a seven-seater. Passengers experience the largest interior in the segment. The second row has a sliding base and a three-section backrest with segments that can be folded down separately, while the final third row folds up and down electrically. Depending on the position of the rear seat backs, the luggage compartment offers between 780 and 1,908-litres of capacity across a flat load area. An electric tailgate is standard.

Market and Model

If you think in terms of SQ7 TFSI ownership requiring a budget of around £94,000 for the base 'Black Edition' version, you won't be far out. More will be required (around £112,000) if you want the plusher 'Vorsprung' variant. Even the standard variant's well equipped though, with features like Matrix LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights and dynamic front and rear indicators, plus 21-inch cast aluminium wheels in 5-double V-spoke design in contrast grey with a gloss-turned finish. The top 'Vorsprung' variant includes just about everything you could possibly want, with 22-inch wheels and powered soft-close doors that set the tone for the exceptional comfort and luxury within. Occupants are treated to climate controlled massaging seats and upholstery heating in the second row. Plus the roof gains a soft-touch Alcantara headlining. The brand's 3D BOSE surround sound system is also installed to fill the interior with virtually cinematic sound quality. The car offers a wide range of 24 driver assistance systems to help drivers travel safely, fuel-efficiently and comfortably. Take the standard 'Audi pre sense city' system for example - an anticipatory warning and emergency breaking function for avoiding accidents and protecting pedestrians. 'Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist' relieves the driver in slow-moving traffic on well-paved roads by taking over the steering in many situations. This predictive ACC set-up enables the anticipatory adjustment of driving speed to the route and speed limits, such as when entering towns.

Cost of Ownership

Unlike the previous SQ7 TDI, this TFSI V8 petrol model doesn't use the brand's mild hybrid engine technology. But Audi makes much of this powerplant's efficiency-boosting features, such as a 'cylinder on demand' system. This shuts down four of the eight cylinders when possible to improve fuel consumption. There's also optimised gas exchange between the turbochargers and chambers for improved combustion. But don't get your hopes up with regard to the fuel and CO2 figures. Expect a combined cycle fuel figure of up to 23.5mpg and a best emissions reading of just 274g/km. For comparison, the pre-2021-era SQ7 TDI V8 diesel managed around 35mpg and CO2 hovering around the 200g/km mark. The weight savings, sleeker aerodynamics and extra technology of the second generation Q7 range should help to avoid running costs becoming too horrendous. Take the 'predictive efficiency assistant' system for example, which provides extra information in the instrument cluster to help the driver save fuel. Plus the redesigned eight-speed tiptronic gearbox is impressively efficient. It changes gears extremely quickly and efficiently, and at high speeds allows coasting at idle.

Summary

Audi seems to be confused about which engines to put in some of its sporting cars right at present, swapping petrol to diesel, then diesel back to petrol again. It's rather confusing. We rather liked the old pre-2021-era SQ7 TDI's V8 diesel and its combination of frugality and huge torque, but the market clearly didn't. It seems that buyers of really quick large SUVs want a throbbing petrol V8 beneath the bonnet - and this SQ7 provides exactly that. It has plenty of rivals - hot V8 versions of the Range Rover Sport and the Mercedes-AMG GLE come to mind - but they can't match the space of this SQ7's seven-seater cabin. If that creates a combination you find difficult to resist, then we'd understand.

Body Glass

Privacy glass - dark tinted rear and rear side windows from B-pillar backwards

Rear wiper

Adaptive windscreen wipers with integrated washer jets

Heat insulating glass in windshield

Brakes

Hill hold assist

Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) including ABS, ASR and EDL

Electromechanical parking brake

Carpets/Rugs

Front/rear floor mats

Black carpets

Chassis/Suspension

Electromechanical active roll stabilisation

S specific adaptive air sport suspension

Communication

Audi phone box light with wireless charging

Bluetooth interface

Audi connect with Amazon Alexa Integration

Audi smartphone interface includes wireless Apple carplay/Android Auto

Natural voice recognition

Audi connect safety and service (e-call)

Driver Aids

Camera based traffic sign recognition

Audi drive select (Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, Efficiency, Individual, Off-road and All road)

Electromechanical power steering

360 degree camera

Driver Convenience

Power operated tailgate

Power door closure

Start/stop system

Operating buttons in Matte black

Driver Information

Audi virtual cockpit plus

Head up Display

MMI navigation plus with MMI touch screens includes 10.1" and 8.6" screens with haptic feedback

Driving Mirrors

Electrically adj heated/folding + automatically dimming exterior mirrors with memory + automatic kerb side function for passenger side exterior mirror

Integrated LED indications in door mirrors

Auto dimming frameless rear view mirror

Embellishment Trims

Black dashboard

Engine

48V Mild hybrid technology

85 litre fuel tank

Entertainment

Audi music interface - front 2 USB-C ports with charger and data functions

Bang + Olufsen premium sound system

DAB digital radio module

Exterior Body Features

Rear side wing doors

Black roof rails

Loading edge protection in stainless steel

Aluminium window trim

Exterior Lights

Audi Beam uses LEDs to project Audi rhombus S logo onto the ground as you exit your SQ7

LED daytime running lights

LED 3rd brake light

HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light

Headlight washers

Digital OLED rear combination lamps

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

4 zone deluxe automatic climate control

Interior Features

Electric steering wheel adjustment

Illuminated door sill trims with S logo

Upper interior element with contrasting stitching

Stainless steel pedals

Luggage compartment sill protection in stainless steel

3 spoke heated leather multi-function steering wheel including paddle shift

Black dinamica headlining

Comfort front centre armrest

Valcona leather upholstery with front super sport seat S embossed logo

Packs

Extended leather pack - SQ7

Multi-coloured extended LED Interior lighting pack - Q7

Tour pack without Pre sense basic - Q7

Technology Pack Pro S Without Advance Key - SQ7

Black styling pack plus - Q7

City assist pack without Pre sense basic - Q7

Safety

Driver and front passenger, front side and curtain airbags

Audi pre sense front

Convenience key with safelock and gesture tailgate

Warning triangle and first aid kit

3 point seatbelts on all rear seats

Child locks on rear doors

Extended pedestrian protection measures

Seatbelt reminder

Tyre pressure loss indicator

Seats

Heated front seats

7 seat layout with ISOFIX points for the front passenger seat and rear passenger seat

Rear seat bench plus for the second row, with forwards/backwards sliding adjustment and backrest angle adjustment

Rear head restraints

Front head restraints

Folding rear seats

2 seat bench in 3rd row

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Single front passenger seat

Electric adjustable front seats/backrest bolsters, lumbar support, memory functionality

Seat ventilation and massage function in the front

ISOFIX child seat mounting for front passenger seat and 2 outer rear seats with top tether child seat mounting for all 3 rear seats

Security

Anti theft alarm with tow away protection

Anti-theft wheel bolts and wheel loosening detection

Remote central locking

Transmission

Quattro with sport differential

Vanity Mirrors

Double sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Tool kit

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 282

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 281

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 280

Engine and Drive Train

Catalytic Convertor: No

Camshaft: DOHC

Gears: 8 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Engine Code: 4MQSW1

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

CC: 3996

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 12.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 22.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 12.3

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 23

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 12.4

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 23

General

Badge Power: 507

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Badge Engine CC: 4.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 2

Coin Series: SQ7 Vorsprung

Coin Description: TFSI Quattro

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Performance

Engine Power - PS: No

Top Speed: 155

Engine Torque - MKG: 78.5

0 to 62 mph (secs): 4.1

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - BHP: 507

Engine Power - KW: 373

Engine Power - RPM: 5500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 568

Engine Torque - NM: 770

Engine Torque - RPM: 2000

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Wheel Type: 22" ALLOY

Tyre Size Front: 285/35 R22

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Wheel Style: MULTI SPOKE S DESIGN

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Rear: 285/35 R22

Vehicle Dimensions

Width (including mirrors): 2212

Height: 1690

Height (including roof rails): 1748

Wheelbase: 2999

Length: 5072

Weight and Capacities

Gross Vehicle Weight: 3095

Minimum Kerbweight: 2265

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 85

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 3500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Max. Loading Weight: 830

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 793

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.5

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1921

No. of Seats: 7

Brakes

Red painted brake callipers with S logo

Driving Mirrors

Body coloured door mirrors

Anthracite black door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Polished oak trim with grey finish inlay

Exterior Body Features

Pearlescent paint

Exclusive paint identifier

Audi exclusive paint

Special metallic paint

Metallic paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Glacier white

Metallic - Mythos black

Metallic - Chili red

Metallic - Satellite silver

Metallic - Waitomo blue

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Daytona grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Pure white

Paint - Special

Audi Exclusive - Custom

Special metallic - Sakhir gold

Special metallic - Ascari blue

Service/Warranty

Audi warranty - 4 years or 75000 miles

Audi warranty - 5 years or 90000 miles

Towing

Trailer Assist including electrically folding ball hitch

Trailer hitch - electrically folding

Trim - Leather

Valcona leather - Black with grey diamond stitching

Valcona leather - Arras red with anthracite diamond stitching

Wheels - Alloy

22" 5 V spoke audi sport star design anthracite black with high sheen finish alloy wheels