About Audi Q7
Though Audi is well-known for its quattro all-wheel-drive system, it took the brand a little longer than rival premium brands BMW and Mercedes to launch its first SUV. However, in 2006 the Q7 arrived as a large, upmarket seven-seater. The first model in Audi’s ‘Q’ range, it paved the way for a whole host of Audi SUVs over the years.A second-generation arrived in 2015, and represented a significant shift for the model – becoming larger, even roomier and more brimmed with technology. It also saw the introduction of a sportier SQ7 version, which debuted with a mighty 4.0-litre biturbo diesel engine. More recently, it’s reverted back to petrol power in-line with customer preference.
Why buy a used Q7?
The Q7 is one of most well-rounded SUVs on the market, and is a superb choice as a result. High on the reasons to choose it is for its vast interior space. It’s Audi’s only seven-seater, and provides room for seven adults to sit in relative comfort, or in five-seat mode where it offers a huge boot instead.It’s an ideal car for long road trips too, with its superb diesel engines offering excellent refinement and efficiency considering its size, while its adaptive air suspension setup allows for an incredibly compliant ride. If you take your car on holiday with you, and require massive space and comfort, the Q7 is hard to better.
The interior is another stand-out feature of the Q7, and feels particularly upmarket. High-quality materials are used throughout, while the most modern examples get swathes of technology. Look for a car registered late 2019 onwards and it will use a clever twin touchscreen setup, with the top screen handling traditional media functions while the lower operates the climate control and heated seats. It’s a seriously high-end touch.
Other standard equipment in the Q7 is very generous, with all versions kitted out with a full leather interior, adaptive air suspension and an electric tailgate to name just a few luxuries. The top-spec Vorsprung grade also gets just about every piece of equipment you can think of – such as massaging and ventilated seats, a 19-speaker Bose sound system and 360-degree parking camera.
The broad range of powertrains also adds massive appeal, including petrol, efficient diesels and even plug-in hybrids. Used Q7 e-tron PHEVs used a diesel-electric setup, but the latest ‘55 TFSI e’ and ‘60 TFSI e’ versions use a petrol engine, bringing an electric range of up to around 30 miles on a charge.
Q7 updates
Here’s a short history of the Q7, which dates back to 2005.- Previewed by the 2003 Audi Pikes Peak Quattro concept car, the Q7 made its debut at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show, with first deliveries beginning in 2006.
- In 2008, Audi introduced the wild ‘V12 TDI’ model, kicking out a huge 493bhp, and it remains the only production car to be fitted with a 12-cylinder diesel engine.
- A 2010 update saw the addition of cleaner engines, including two new supercharged 3.0 TFSI petrol units and a newly developed 3.0-litre TDI diesel.
- Audi launched its second-generation Q7 in 2015, bringing a far more modern design, significant tech improvements and huge weight savings compared to its predecessor.
- In 2016 two new Q7s launched – the plug-in hybrid Q7 e-tron, as well as the 429bhp SQ7.
- The Q7 was designed in 2019, gaining more cutting-edge technology and a new twin-screen infotainment setup. Adaptive air suspension and seven seats became standard in the UK.
Which used Q7 should I buy?
Audi offers a good range of trim levels on the Q7, with equipment highlights as follows.
Audi Q7 Sport
19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive air suspension, Audi Drive Select, LED headlights with high beam assist, electric folding mirrors, bumpers in contrasting paint finish, electric boot, aluminium roof rails, heated front seats, electric leather seats, climate control, 10.1-inch HD touchscreen for media, 8.6-inch touchscreen for climate settings, 12.3-inch Audi Virtual co*ckpit, cruise control, traffic sign recognition, reversing camera, keyless go.
Audi Q7 S line
Valcona leather upholstery, 20-inch alloy wheels, S line styling kit, dark tinted glass, matt brushed aluminium interior inlays, sports steering wheel.
Audi Q7 Black Edition
21-inch alloy wheels, adaptive sports air suspension, Titanium Black styling kit, black door mirrors, black roof rails, polished oak interior inlays, 4-zone climate control, flat-bottomed sports steering wheel.
Audi Q7 Vorsprung
22-inch alloy wheels, all-wheel steering, Audi puddle lights, soft-closing doors, side running boards, super sports seats, ventilated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, Alcantara headliner, extended leather pack, multi-coloured LED interior lighting, head-up display, 19-speaker Bose sound system, 360-degree parking camera, park assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise assist.
What should I look for when buying a used Q7?
- Plug-in hybrid Q7s come with five seats (rather than the usual seven), which is something to be aware of.
- As many Q7s will have been used as family cars, it’s worth having a good look for any damage – such as worn trim or rips in leather seats. The Q7’s strong build quality holds up well to this, though.
- Coolant leaks aren’t uncommon, so have a good look underneath where a car has been parked for any signs of this.
