2021 Audi Q7 Review

　　

2021 Audi Q7 Review

byReese CountsVehicle Test Editor

　　Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at zzdcar in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at zzdcar and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.

　　The Audi Q7 heads into 2021 relatively unchanged after undergoing a significant refresh last year. The update brought with it updated interior and exterior styling, improved tech and a more powerful turbocharged V6 engine. It all built upon what was already one of the most compelling picks for a midsize luxury SUV. Mainstays of the Q7 are its lush, serene interior as well as exceptional build quality and high-grade materials.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi Q7 Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$227/mo  for Q7 Premium

　　Q7 Premium

　　Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $54,950 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $60,800 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $57,200 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $63,800 MSRPPrestige 4dr SUV AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) - $72,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　The Q7 competes right in the heart of the luxury SUV segment. It's similar in size to the Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5, but both are more expensive and lack the Q7's standard third row of seating and standard all-wheel drive. The Volvo XC90 is a compelling SUV too, though we don't think it drives quite as well as the Q7. Think you want a Q7? Check out the categories of our Expert Rating for our in-depth evaluation.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the Q7 drive? In our testing, the V6-powered Q7 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, making the Q7 one of the quicker non-performance vehicles in its class. Acceleration from a stop or on the freeway is smooth, rapid and drama-free. That said, if the transmission is in Comfort mode, throttle response feels a little sluggish unless you really boot the accelerator.

　　The Q7's turning circle feels a little too wide. That aside, the rest of its dynamic attributes are commendable. Braking is smooth, shifts are barely perceptible, and a lack of body roll gives you the confidence to attack corners at a decent clip.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Q7? The Q7 is one of the most comfortable vehicles in its class. There's very little road or wind noise, and the available four-zone climate control system is adept at dispersing air throughout the first and second rows. There are no third-row vents, so those passengers will have to play nice with second-row occupants for proper air flow. Seat heating and ventilation functions aren't overly powerful, but they get the job done.

　　The front seats are cushy and supportive for the long haul, but it's odd that they adjust only eight ways, even in the top-trim Prestige spec. Give us an extendable thigh cushion, at least! The Q7's standard suspension gives you a balanced and smooth ride. Oddly, the optional air suspension upgrade has a slightly busier ride than we'd like.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? How tech-savvy are you? If the answer is "not very," the Audi's two-touchscreen infotainment interface may confound you. Despite the many methods of user input, the dense system and menu structure can pose usability challenges, simply because they take a lot of your attention to operate effectively.

　　Other parts of the Q7's interior are more appealing. The seating position gives you an expansive view out of the front as well as to the sides and rear. The first and second rows are roomy, though the third row is strictly kids-only. And while getting into the third row can be a little tricky due to the seat mechanism, the front and rear doors offer unimpeded access to those rows.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Aside from the dual touchscreen's potential usability issues, the Q7's interface is sharp, attractive and quick to respond to user inputs. The navigation system has a nifty handwriting function so you don't have to hunt for individual letters, and it even understood our chicken scratch with no problem.

　　There were four USB ports, a 12-volt outlet and a charging pad in our test Q7. Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto are standard, though we witnessed a few bugs in the former. Voice controls aren't as good as Mercedes' MBUX system, but they aren't far off. The Q7's advanced driving safety aids work well, and most of them come standard.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? Cargo capacity ranges from 14.2 cubic feet (behind the third row) to a max of 69.6 cubic feet with all rows folded. These are average figures for the class. The optional air suspension can raise or lower the rear end, which aids in cargo loading and unloading. The power-folding third-row seats are a nice touch and can fold no matter the position of the second-row seats. Interior storage is average, with the sizable door pockets the best for stashing stuff.

　　A bit rare for the class are three sets of child safety seat anchors across the second row and two in the third row, providing some good child seat placement options. Audi cites a 7,700-pound towing capacity for the V6-powered Q7 with the optional tow package, which is enough for many recreational-based trailers you'd want to tow. The four-cylinder has a 4,400-pound maximum capacity.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The V6-powered Q7 is rated at 20 mpg combined (18 city/23 highway). These estimates are lackluster for the class, but we found them achievable in real life. We averaged 21 mpg on our 115-mile test route, which combines city and highway driving. Rivals on our test loop generally yield less than 1 mpg better than their estimates.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Q7 a good value? The Q7 starts just under $56,000, which is more reasonable than Teutonic competitors — they cost about the same but have fewer features and don't come standard with a third row. At $74,290, our Prestige model was a bit too expensive; there's value to be had in lower trims, but a similarly equipped BMW X5 costs thousands less. That said, we prefer the Q7's interior design and materials, which, in true Audi fashion, are top-notch.

　　Basic and powertrain warranties are good for four years/50,000 miles. Roadside assistance is offered for four years/unlimited miles. All are typical for the segment.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　The Audi Q7 proves that family hauling and driving enjoyment aren't mutually exclusive. The fact that this aging SUV (it was last redesigned in 2017) still looks modern and outperforms the competition shows just how high Audi set the bar when it was first introduced.

　　

Which Q7 does zzdcar recommend?

We suggest going with the midrange Premium Plus trim. It offers a solid mix of standard features such as an upgraded audio system and a surround-view parking camera system. The four-cylinder engine is OK, but opt for the V6 if you're commonly hauling around a lot of passengers or cargo.

　　

2021 Audi Q7 models

The 2021 Audi Q7 is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. All Q7s come with three rows of seating and all-wheel drive. Audi offers two engines in the Q7: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (248 hp, 273 lb-ft) in 45 TFSI models or a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (335 hp, 369 lb-ft) in 55 TFSI models. Both are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

　　If you're interested in something a little sportier, check out the Q7's relatives: the V8-powered SQ7, the two-row coupe-style Q8 and SQ8, and high-performance RS Q8. All are reviewed separately.

　　Premium

　　The base-level Premium trim comes fairly well equipped. The four-cylinder engine is standard, and the V6 engine is optional. Standard features include:

　　19-inch wheels LED headlights Panoramic sunroof Digital instrument cluster Keyless entry with push-button start Hands-free liftgate Three-zone automatic climate control Power-folding third row Leather seating Power-adjustable, heated front seats Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Audi MMI infotainment system with dual touchscreensStandard safety features and driver aids include:

　　Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking) Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)The Q7 Premium is available with a few option packages, including:

　　Convenience package Heated steering wheel Audi Phone Box wireless charger and signal booster Ambient interior lighting Power-folding, heated exterior mirrors Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Q7 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Towing packagePremium Plus

　　Like the Premium model, the Q7 Premium Plus comes standard with the four-cylinder engine and has the V6 as an option. The Premium Plus also includes all of the Premium's features, adding:

　　Bang & Olufsen audio system Illuminated doorsills 20-inch wheels (with 55 TFSI engine) Standard Convenience packageOptions include:

　　Executive package Four-zone automatic climate control Lane keeping assist (steers the Q7 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Ventilated front seats Heated rear seats Towing package Matrix LED headlightsPrestige

　　The top-level Prestige trim comes standard with the turbocharged V6 engine as well as all of the Premium Plus' features. Other standard equipment includes:

　　Matrix LED headlights Adaptive air suspension (can adjust the vehicle's ride height) Standard Executive package Multi-color interior LED lighting Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Soft-closing doorsOther significant options for the Q7 include:

　　Towing package Laser headlights Luxury package Faux suede headliner Massaging front seats Upgraded leather upholstery All-wheel steering (for more nimble turning)

　　

2021 Q7 Highlights

Trim: PremiumPremium PlusPrestigePremium

　　

Base MSRP	$54,950
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	21 MPG
Cost to Drive	$227/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles