2022 Audi SQ7

　　

2022 Audi SQ7 Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　, rating written byDan FrioDirector, Vehicle Testing

　　Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at zzdcar, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.

　　When you need a three-row SUV with a bit more sauce and spirit for those summer road trips, the 2022 Audi SQ7 delivers handsomely. The more sedate Q7 is already one of our favorite luxury SUVs, but adding a capital "S" to the nameplate brings an array of performance and tech upgrades that take family motoring to another level. Most notable is a 500-horsepower turbo V8 engine that offers sports-car acceleration without compromising passenger comfort, complemented by top-shelf navigation, smartphone integration and driver assistance features. The SQ7 can even tow a nearly 8,000-pound load behind it.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Audi SQ7 Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 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

　　$267/mo  for SQ7 Premium Plus

　　SQ7 Premium Plus

　　Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A) - $88,500 MSRPPrestige 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $93,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Seemingly every luxury carmaker offers a high-performance version of its standard family SUV, and the SQ7 has plenty of company. If your needs are modest, a two-row SUV like the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE or Porsche Cayenne might suit you. The BMW and Benz can even be ordered with an optional third-row seat. You could go bigger with the BMW X7 or Mercedes GLS, but you'll pay handsomely for the extra room. Overall, the SQ7's mix of three rows, sublime power and performance, and relatively reasonable pricing makes a compelling case. Check out our Expert Rating to learn more and get our in-depth take on the 2022 SQ7.

　　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

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the SQ7 drive? You'd never guess by looking at the SQ7 that it could smoke your Supra off the line. But move it does, needing only 3.9 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standstill. That's quick by any measure, and it's becoming more of a common thread for these modern high-performance SUVs.

　　The SQ7 is no lightweight at 5,300 pounds, and you'll feel that weight if you try to hustle it through corners. But it moves respectably well and stops with confidence and grace. We like how accurate the steering is and its ability to relay when the front tires have exceeded their grip limits. When you're not in a hurry, the SQ7 delivers smooth and easy driving, with the exception of its stop-start system. Sometimes it cuts off the engine a beat too soon, leading to jerky stops, and then doesn't fire back up as smoothly as some other systems.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the SQ7? Despite its performance persuasion, the SQ7 delivers an abundance of everyday comfort. Credit goes largely to an excellently tuned air suspension. It manages to soak up road irregularities like a sponge without making the ride feel like Jell-O in the process. Our Prestige trim tester also included dual-pane windows that greatly reduced the ambient wind and surrounding noise. Thankfully, the growl of the 4.0-liter V8 engine is present when you want to hear it.

　　The SQ7 seats have excellent adjustability, providing hours of comfort on the road while offering the necessary lateral support to minimize side-to-side sloshing on a curvy road. Our tester's four-zone climate control was very effective, and the heated and ventilated front seats are significantly better than what BMW offers.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below