The current generation of the Audi Q7 has been around for almost a decade now. Yes, that’s quite long because rivals have moved far ahead with their offerings. To keep things afloat, Audi has given the Q7 yet another facelift (first one in 2022) so let’s dive deep into all the changes.
On the outside, there are a few revisions but most of the styling elements remain the same as before. The Q7 now gets improved Matrix LED headlamps and an all-new grille with chrome inserts. The SUV also gets a new front bumper which shares its design theme with the Audi Q8. Along with that, the rear bumper sees some minor changes too with the new exhaust tips and diffuser. The Q7 looks quite good overall but needs better looking wheels I feel.
On the inside, changes are hard to notice because Audi has continued with the same layout for the dashboard which is similar to other Audis from the current crop while the newer models that’ll come to India 2025 onwards will have a completely new interior design. Audi has upgraded the instrument cluster of the vehicle and even equipped the vehicle with Lane Change Assist but heated seats have now been removed. In fact, basic features like wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and ventilated seats have been give a miss too.
The cabin of the Q7 does feel quite rich otherwise. There are two colour schemes to choose from – beige and brown. The seats feel great and are very supportive. The 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system is also extremely good while the 10.1-inch touchscreen feels responsive. There are two other screens – 8.6-inch for the air con controls and 12.3-inch for the Virtual Cockpit. The second row also offers good space but the same can’t be said for the third row which is cramped. The third row seats can be electrically folded away using buttons placed in the boot, and speaking of which, the boot is very generous with space.
What’s under the hood? The same 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that delivers 335 HP and 500 Nm. This is a very nicely tuned engine and I said this a couple of months back also when I drove the Q8 facelift. This has creamy performance and is also eager to pick up speeds. The Q7 drives beautifully even now and because it doesn’t sit very tall, it has very less body roll. Body movement is nicely under control and the vehicle has great composure. Of course, it is not meant to be driven hard all the time and is more comfort-oriented.
The petrol engine makes the Q7 go from 0-100 km/hr in a little over 5.6 seconds which is quick enough for a family car. The transmission is also very smooth and the different driving modes like Comfort, Dynamic, Individual, Off-Road, etc. work well. Audi has tuned the suspension on the Q7 well and the vehicle rides well over bad roads. The steering also feels quite precise. While there are no mechanical changes, Audi has plonked in a 48V mild-hybrid system in the Q7 which is basically an auto start-stop function which I promptly switched off when I started driving the car.
Does it make sense buying an Audi Q7 in 2025? It’s a 10 year old design and looks a little dated now plus a lot of features are missing, but the vehicle has a solid feel and drives really well while also offering great comfort. While its immediate rivals are the Mercedes GLS and BMW X7, the Q7 is actually priced Rs. 35-40 lakh lower than those two (rivals are much newer) which is why it actually falls in the same price category as the Mercedes GLE and BMW X5. The Q7 now costs Rs. 1.06-1.16 Crore (on-road, Mumbai) and I’d say get the lower variant and you’ll be happy with the value proposition.
