2023 Audi SQ7 SUV

　　

2023 Audi SQ7 Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　, rating written byMichael CantuDirector, 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.

　　The Audi Q7 is the brand's largest SUV and is highly rated by zzdcar. It's a great choice if you need a comfortable, high-tech seven-passenger SUV to haul the family around. But what if you have the budget for more? Enter the SQ7. It's the high-performance version of the Q7 that's powered by a 500-horsepower turbocharged V8 engine. It also features more aggressive suspension tuning and upgraded brakes but still provides a comfortable ride, along with excellent tech and an assortment of advanced driver aids. Its lightning-quick acceleration will put a smile on your kids' faces and likely leave that sports car you were next to at the stoplight in the dust.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 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

　　$283/mo  for SQ7 Premium Plus

　　SQ7 Premium Plus

　　Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A) - $90,200 MSRPPrestige 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $94,900 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　It's less fuel-efficient than the Q7, and the tight third row should be reserved for children, but the SQ7 aces most categories. But the Audi is just one of many players in the world of large high-performance SUVs. The BMW X7 M60i is another high-horsepower luxurious three-row SUV you should check out. If you don't need the third row and want an SUV that handles almost like a sports car, consider the Porsche Cayenne. There's also the high-performance Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S, but expect to pay significantly more. If you're undecided and want an in-depth review of the SQ7, check out our test team's Expert Rating below for more information on the Audi's performance, tech and more.

　　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 test vehicle 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