Updated 2024 Audi Q7 Breaks Cover as Ingolstadt's Best-Ever Family SUV

Audi's flagship SUV comes with upgrades that put it back at the top of the segment, right next to the Mercedes-Benz GLE and the BMW X5 at a moment when it was starting to fall behind.

In 18 years on the market, Audi's first-ever SUV, the Q7, has been refined to offer more comfort, more space, and more premium equipment over the years without getting its on-road and off-road performer DNA altered.

The model is over 5 meters long (16 feet) and has a wheelbase of over 3 meters (10 feet), which translates to a very spacious interior, offering room for up to seven people and a luggage compartment of up to 2,035 liters with the backrests of the rear seats folded down. The elongated, wagon-style silhouette and short overhangs make the model look athletic and confident.

Audi has been marching to minimalism for a more purist look. A redesigned, upright Audi Singleframe radiator grille features an octagon design with vertical inlays and is flanked by headlights pinioned higher than before. The grille can be ordered in either Black or Black Plus optics packages, matching the trim on the side windows and the front and rear bumpers.

What makes it stand out, though, is the headlight and taillight technology. The HD Matrix LED headlights feature laser sport digital daytime running lights with selectable light signature. They integrate 24 LEDs and a high-power laser diode each. The laser light becomes active at speeds above 43.5 mph (70 kph).

Meanwhile, the digital OLED taillights, available for the Audi Q7 for the first time, come with four selectable light designs. When others approach the stationary Q7 from behind to within 6.6 feet (2 meters), the units automatically light up all the digital OLED segments. There are also dynamic turn signals and various coming home and leaving home sequences. Functional tailpipes show up underneath the bumper. A chrome strip connected the rear lights.

The vehicle has received new wheels, colors, and seats with contrasting stitching, taking the Q7 to a whole level of customization.

The base model gets seats in contrasting gray color. Nine decorative inlays are available for customers to choose from, with Natural Elm Burl Silver, Matte Carbon Twill, and Matte Brushed Aluminum now being on the list. The linear embossing in silver indicates that the Q7 features the S line sport package.

Three new finishes are also available for future owners to customize their brand-new Audi Q7: Sakhir Gold, Ascari Blue, and Chili Red.

The German carmaker offers five new wheel designs in sizes of 20, 21, or 22 inches. Black Metallic, Gray Silk Matte with glossy black inlays, or diamond-cut Black Metallic are available.

Also, for the first time in an Audi Q7, occupants can use apps offered by third-party providers such as Spotify and Amazon Music.

The Audi virtual cockpit has also been upgraded, now displaying a lane change warning, other road users such as trucks, cars, and motorcycles, distance warning, intersection assist, and traffic light info online in full HD quality.

Clients can order the optional continuously adaptive damping system with the adaptive air suspension or the adaptive air suspension sport, which is standard on the SQ7 TFSI. The suspension is capable of adjusting the ride height by 3.5 inches (90 millimeters), depending on the driver's preferences or road condition.

At high speed, the suspension lowers automatically by 1.18 inches (30 millimeters (1.18 inches) or by 0.6 inches (15 millimeters) when the car is equipped with the adaptive air suspension sport.

Furthermore, when the Audi Q7 leaves the road behind for an off-road adventure, the driver can select the Lift function in the Audi drive select. The feature automatically enhances the ground clearance by 2.3 inches (60 millimeters) at low speeds.

The vehicle can be optionally specced with all-wheel steering, which is actually standard on the SQ7 TFSI. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn up to 5 degrees in the opposite direction from the front ones, reducing the turn circle by up to 3.3 feet (one meter).

The entry-level Audi Q7 is the 45 TDI quattro, powered by a 3.0-liter diesel engine with 228 horsepower (231 metric horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Newton meters) of torque, which are enough for an acceleration from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) in 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 140 mph (226 kph).

Upper in the range, there is the 50 TDI Quattro with 282 horsepower (286 metric horsepower) and 443 pound-feet (600 Newton meters).

The Q7 TFSI is set in motion by a six-cylinder 3.0-liter petrol engine good for 335 horsepower (340 metric horsepower) and 369 pound-feet (500 Newton meters). This one can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 5.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 mph (250 kph).

The SQ7 TFSI sits at the top of the range with design elements that make it look more aggressive and aluminum finishes on the exterior mirror housings and inlays of the Singleframe radiator grille.

All these engines are mated to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, Quattro permanent four-wheel drive, and a mild hybrid system. The 48-volt main electric system is powered by a lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter.

The vehicle can coast with the engine off for up to 40 seconds when the driver takes the foot off the gas pedal at speeds between 34 and 99 mph (55 and 160 kph). The engine restarts after braking. All the V6-powered Audi Q7s can tow up to 3.5 tons.

The range-topping SQ7 is powered by the 4.0-liter TFSI engine, which generates 500 horsepower (507 metric horsepower) and 568 pound-feet (700 Newton meters) of torque. The powertrain brings supercar credentials to the SUV, which is capable of accelerating in just 4.1 seconds from 0 to 62 mph, on its way to a top speed of 155 mph (250 kph), accompanied by a head-turning soundtrack provided by the V8, which is also linked to the tiptronic automatic transmission and the permanent quattro all-wheel drive.

For increased fuel efficiency, the system can deactivate two, three, five, or even eight cylinders by shutting off injection and ignition and closing down the intake and exhaust valves within milliseconds, with the driver not even noticing the switch.

Those who want to drive home what Audi calls "the best Q7 of all times" must know that it will arrive on the European market this spring with prices starting at 79,300 euros, which translates to $85,835, for the 45 TDI Quattro. The 50 TDI quattro will start at 82,300 euros ($89,092), while the 55 TFSI kicks off at 82,500 ($89,298). For the range-topping SQ7 TFSI version, Audi recommends a price of 112,000 euros.