Audi Q7 (2nd Generation)

Audi has given the Q7 and SQ7 a bit of a makeover, priced from £66k

Second refresh for the second-gen SUV has arrived with new lights and a few visual tweaks

Our humblest apologies! TopGear.com appears to have missed perhaps the most perfect piece of motoring irony, which has now been brought to our attention with the reveal of this new, refreshed Audi Q7.
Because alongside a bit of visual tweak and a spangly new set of customisable LED head- and tail-lights – more on those shortly – it now features a “proximity indication feature” if you tick the digital OLED rear lights option. This interesting feature – apparently already available on the A8, Q8 and Q5 – illuminates all the rear lights if a car gets within 6.6ft of the new Q7.

That’s right: this [checks notes] Audi warns other cars that they’re tailgating. You couldn’t make it up.
What you can make up, or at least change, are those LED light signatures. Apparently the new Q7 gets four front LED daytime running light signatures to choose from, embedded within new light units mounted a little higher than before.

 
Audi Q7

Audi has once again upgraded its flagship family SUV with a clear design and even better technology. The fresh exterior design with new front and rear sections underscores the powerful character of the SUV, which offers first-class versatility and generous space for up to seven passengers. For the first time in a Q7, the HD Matrix LED headlights with laser as an additional high beam feature digital daytime running lights with selectable light signatures. Digital OLED rear lights with four selectable rear light designs complete the light offering. New wheels, colors, decorative inlays, and seats with contrasting stitching lend the Q family's most versatile SUV an even higher level of customizability. The new Audi Q7 starts at 79,300 euros.

From a study to a successful production model

The Audi Q7's journey of success began in 2003 as a concept car called the Audi Pikes Peak quattro at the North American International Motor Show. Conceived as a vehicle suitable driving on all roads and moderate off-road use, the current Q7 - which has been delighting customers worldwide for 18 years - remains true to its virtues of design, technology, and functionality. The first SUV from the brand with the four rings was unveiled to the public at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), just in time for the 25th anniversary of the quattro permanent four-wheel drive with Torsen center differential (40:60 front/rear torque distribution). The new "superlative" in the SUV segment, as Audi put it at the launch of the Q7, combines poise, sportiness, and versatility. Since its launch, the Audi Q7 is seen as an all-rounder that combines high prestige with a wide range of applications.


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Audi SQ7


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2025 Audi Q7 Facelift Revealed

This is the 2025 Audi Q7 facelift, which receives a number of upgrades to keep it relevant in a competitive market. Here’s a look at the changes.

The Audi Q7 has been with us since 2015 and the German carmaker has released a second facelift for the premium SUV in an effort to keep pace with the ever-changing luxury SUV market.

Visually, the updated model features a revised front end with a tweaked grille and new headlights. While some versions of these headlights will be optional, Audi says its new laser diode headlights offer increased distance at night. There will also be light signatures which can be customised. We’ve already had a first taste of the new headlight technology in the facelifted Audi Q8, which we drove late last year.

There will be new colours for the 2025 Audi Q7 facelift, like the Ascari Blue (pictured here) as well as Chili Red and Sakhir Gold. New wheel options are also offered, with sizes ranging from 20 to 22 inches.

 
Audi SQ7 (2025) International Launch Review

The Audi SQ7 heads up the updated Q7 range that will go on sale in South Africa in early 2025. We had a drive on the roads of Audi’s hometown of Ingolstadt, Germany.

When you think of Bavaria, 1 car brand usually comes to mind – BMW. Yet, only 80 km north of Munich is a city named Ingolstadt – the home of Audi. After departing the arrivals hall at Munich’s domestic airport terminal, I walked over to Audi’s satellite office and signed the paperwork to test the Audi SQ7 and SQ8.

Now, having driven the latter at its debut in Cape Town towards the end of 2023, my focus was on the most potent Q7 variant, as there will be no RS-badged flagship of Audi’s 2nd-gen premium SUV, unlike the Q8 SUV-coupe range, which has the RSQ8 Performance. The SQ7 is the hottest Q7 you can get.

Summary

While the turbodiesel-powered pre-facelift Audi SQ7 and SQ8 were rapid juggernauts, the 4.0-litre V8 turbopetrol motor does produce a more glorious soundtrack – and offers better performance to boot.

As a result, the updated Audi SQ7 is a far more engaging proposition than its predecessor, which “spoke softly and carried a big stick” (to shamelessly mangle a famous Teddy Roosevelt quote). The SQ7 is really in a class of its own, but you could consider the BMW X7 M60i (also a 7-seater) a distant rival.

This is a light update and one could say Audi has been very pragmatic – “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, as they say. The Q7 PI (2nd facelift model) picks up right where the pre-facelift Q7 left off with exceptional space, refinement, open-road crushing competence and now, with the SQ7, thundering performance.

 
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