The Q7 was the Q that gave Audi India their big break. It established the brand and since then, has been a trusty badge if you want a big, luxury seven-seater SUV. However, competition has never been more cut-throat so to keep the Q7 relevant, it has received a makeover. 

Audi Q7 exterior and design

It still gets the recognisable face with the wide grille and sharp lines, but look closer and you will spot small vertical chrome elements on the grille giving it a bejeweled look, the LED Matrix headlamps are even more intricate, the bumpers are sportier and feature ducts and faux metal panels. Over to the side, the wheels get an upsize now with 20-inches that replace the 19-inch ones, but the silhouette and lines continue as before.

Dimensionally too there is no change so the 3000mm wheelbase and five-meter plus length continue to offer a strong road presence. At the rear the LED tail lamps get new detailing and redesigned bumpers. Trapezoidal exhaust tips complete the look and the Q7 continues to flaunt the serious no-nonsense character. 

Audi Q7 interior, features and space

Inside, there is a new dark open-pore wood panel on the dashboard and door pads. Barring that though, you’d be lost trying to explain the new bits. That said, while it isn’t new, it still has the exceptional quality levels we have always loved on the Q7.

The dual-screen setup, with its click-based interface isn’t all too modern, but looks crisp when it comes to resolution. And while it is present, we would have liked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to be wireless.Other modern amenities that one would naturally expect in a luxury SUV like ventilated seats, wireless connectivity and ADAS are missing too. The Q7 does get lane keep assist, but a full ADAS suit would have sweetened the deal. 

The seats up front are hugely comfy and supportive. You can easily spend long hours in the drivers seat.Middle row space is impressive and even for passengers over six feet, there is ample room on offer. The seats can also be adjusted for length thereby adding more legroom or aiding more space for the third row passengers. You also get four-zone climate control with vents in the centre console and B-pillars, manual sunblinds, and a panoramic sunroof big enough to be enjoyed by rear-seat passengers without any compromise. 

Of course there is the third row as well, however, it is best used by children or short adults on short drives. But you do miss AC vents and it can get a bit stuffy. Best then to electronically flip down the third row and use it as a massive boot. Now, while space isn’t a concern, what might have some buyers alarmed is the spare wheel or the lack thereof. You get a puncture repair kit and since the tyres are not run-flats, you need to be extra cautious. 

Audi Q7 engine, performance, gearbox

Powering the Q7 is a lovely 3.0-litre, 340hp turbo-petrol V6 engine. Refinement is simply excellent but get going and this Q7, despite being a big, heavy, luxury SUV, is  rapid! 0-100kph is a quick 5.6secs and there is also a raspy exhaust note as you get closer to the redline. Mated to the engine is an 8-speed automatic gearbox that shifts with ease and no fuss. It is quick, has impressive kickdown times and is enjoyable to use. The engine thrums along at 100kph at just a shade over 1500rpm and the Q7 can munch on the kilometers happily. 

Audi Q7 ride, comfort, handling

While the engine and gearbox are the perfect partners, they are slightly pulled back by the suspension. The Q7 gets adaptive air suspension that can change depending on the drive mode, but for the more balanced ‘Comfort’ mode, they have kept it on the softer side. As a result over undulations, there is a fair amount of vertical movement inside the cabin. The car even nose-dives under braking. A cheat code to counter this, is to use the drive modes and more specifically the ‘Individual’ mode. 

Via ‘Individual’ mode, you can set the engine and gearbox to be at a relaxed setting that suits the highways, but switch the suspension setting to ‘Dynamic’ that tightens the setup, and you have less pitching and get more surefootedness. Where the soft setup makes up though, is over bad roads where it absorbs the harsh shocks and thuds that make their way inside. Handling is nothing to boast about, but the Q7 is like you expect a big luxury car to be. The quattro system ensures there is grip at all times, but there is so much mass moving at such a high speed, it will understeer if you push it. 

Audi Q7 price and verdict

Prices for the updated Q7 start from Rs 88 lakh and this top spec Technology trim is priced at Rs 97 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The top spec goes up against the Mercedes-Benz GLE and the BMW X5 both of which have moved much ahead in terms of modernity. What will be of interest to the buyers then will be  the lower spec model that makes for a good value proposition. The ride is comfy, the space and quality is top level and the V6 is butter smooth. Its a comfy cruiser for those who want to be chauffeured around with little fuss.