2024 Audi Q7 55 S-Line

The Audi Q7 has carved a niche for itself, with its distinctive wagon-on-stilts style that has carried on since the first generation. The latest version is no different, being the second facelift of the all-new model that debuted in 2016 as a second-generation Q7.

Exterior Design

There is no reason for a drastic change, as the overall design still holds up well today. The 2020 model’s face already got a more aggressive tilt. As far as we could figure out, the 2024 makeover lightly retouches the bumpers, lights, grille and 21-inch wheel choices. The styling is enhanced even further with the S-Line kit, Matrix LED headlights, LED tail lights with sequential indicators, black trim package and massive 22-inch wheels, as seen on our Q7 55 TFSI S-Line Quattro with Progress Black package.

Interior Design

Inside, the latest Q7’s interior is still very familiar, with clean lines, generous amounts of soft-touch padding, and nearly full-width a/c vents on the dashboard. The “sports” front seats look like gaming chairs. The front of the cockpit is a tasteful blend of real leather seating surfaces, aluminium, piano black plastics, integrated screens and ambient lighting.

Audi Q7 Seats

The big Audi offers excellent space in the first two rows, including excellent second-row legroom and abundant elbow room. The front seats offer heating, ventilation and massage functionality, although the power-adjustment settings are limited at this price point. The second row is split 35/30/35 and can also slide fore and aft as needed. The third row can fit shorter adults just fine, but getting in requires enough gymnastics. You’ll probably prefer just throwing the kids back there.

The last two rows can also fold at the press of a button to create a large flat loading floor boasting a capacity of 1908 litres. With the second row in use, it leaves 780 litres for cargo. When the third row is in use, the luggage capacity is down to just below 300 litres. And there’s the basic number of cup-holders, door pockets and cubbies, so there’s nothing particularly versatile about the in-cabin storage options.

Technology

Since the last facelift, three large digital displays have replaced physical gauges and buttons – a 12.3-inch gauge cluster display, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen on the centre console, and a separate 8.6-inch touchscreen for the climate-control functions. The setup does the job fine, although the menus can be fiddly to manage on the move unless you learn to use the basic voice commands.

Also available are a heads-up display, navigation, a solid Bang & Olufsen sound system, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and panoramic glass roof. The four-zone climate control system is decent enough for the first and second rows, but the third row doesn’t get any obvious vents. Safety features are top class, with lots of airbags and most of the usual active safety nannies available, such as Audi Pre-Sense collision and accident-avoidance systems, adaptive cruise control and all-round cameras, although you may have to pay extra some items.

Audi Q7 55 Engine Specifications

The top engine option below the S Q7 is the turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 found in our Q7 55 S-Line. It’s combined with Audi’s 48-volt mild-hybrid system to enhance efficiency rather than power, and overall produces 340 hp at 5700 rpm and 500 Nm of torque from 2800 rpm. The only transmission available is an 8-speed tiptronic automatic sending power to all four corners via the Quattro four-wheel-drive system.

Audi Q7 Performance

The powertrain is more than enough for anyone wanting a fast SUV, as our tester ripped out a 0-100 kph time of 6.2 seconds. The motor doesn’t sound particularly pleasing, but at least the fuel economy can bring a smile to your face, as we averaged 13 litres/100 km (7.7 km/litre), quite respectable for this level of performance.

Acceleration from a stop or during highway overtaking is generally smooth and quick, although if the transmission is in Comfort mode, the throttle response feels a little sluggish unless you really hammer the accelerator and force the downshifts.

Driving feel and road comfort

The Q7 is one of the more comfortable vehicles in its class, with or without the optional adaptive air suspension. The ride is smooth and balanced, albeit a bit on the firm side with the 22-inch wheels and 285/35 tyres. There’s limited road or wind noise, and the Q7 can be optioned up with acoustic glazing for the windshield and door windows.

Around town, the Q7’s turning circle feels a little too wide. However, in terms of size, it is easy to park and squeeze through gaps with the aid of its cameras.

As has been the case with all Q7 generations, the latest model’s dynamic attributes remain commendable. Hustling it around twisty roads just feels like piloting a heavy sports sedan from an elevated driving position. A lack of body roll, excellent grip from the wide tyres, and easy-to-modulate brakes give us enough confidence to attack corners at tyre-squealing speeds that most family buyers probably won’t experience.

Families can go to flat beaches or vetted gravel trails easily thanks to the well-tuned Quattro system, but it’s not suited for any serious offroading in incapable hands.

Audi Q7 Verdict

This generation of the Audi Q7 is having a surprisingly long shelf life as a desirable daily driver. Even if it doesn’t offer as much fancy gadgetry as its German rivals, there isn’t really much need to make in-cabin tech more complicated. That said, the Audi Q7 55 S Line is expensive but has fairly competitive pricing for what it offers.

Photos by Marouf Hussain Chowdhury.