Audi SQ7 (2025) International Launch Review
The Audi SQ7 heads up the updated Q7 range that will go on sale in South Africa in early 2025. We had a drive on the roads of Audi’s hometown of Ingolstadt, Germany.
When you think of Bavaria, 1 car brand usually comes to mind – BMW. Yet, only 80 km north of Munich is a city named Ingolstadt – the home of Audi. After departing the arrivals hall at Munich’s domestic airport terminal, I walked over to Audi’s satellite office and signed the paperwork to test the Audi SQ7 and SQ8.
Now, having driven the latter at its debut in Cape Town towards the end of 2023, my focus was on the most potent Q7 variant, as there will be no RS-badged flagship of Audi’s 2nd-gen premium SUV, unlike the Q8 SUV-coupe range, which has the RSQ8 Performance. The SQ7 is the hottest Q7 you can get.
What’s changed?
Audi calls its facelifts “Product Improvements” or PI (which isn’t terribly original, but sounds less poncy than BMW’s “Life Cycle Impulse” or LCI). The biggest change to the SQ7 and SQ8 is that they now share a turbopetrol powertrain. Previously, a 4.0-litre V8 turbodiesel (with 310 kW and 900 Nm) propelled the Teutonic juggernauts from 0 to 100 kph in under 5 seconds. Some may turn up their noses at fast diesel SUVs, but given that the powertrain delivered such compelling performance, why did Audi substitute it?
Be it because of fallout from the VW Group’s Dieselgate scandal, or concern over the impact of diesel-engine exhaust emissions on public health, turbodiesel power is no longer in fashion in European passenger cars. As a consequence, the performance derivatives of the Q7 and Q8 have switched to petrol power, but thankfully there’s no downsizing – the engine on duty is one we’re all familiar with.
The 4.0-litre twin-turbopetrol V8 is well known – and -proven – in the VW Audi Group, having powered a variety of products, such as the Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga and the Lamborghini Urus.
In the SQ7, that powerplant produces 373 kW and 770 Nm of torque. It drives all 4 of the premium SUV’s wheels (quattro, of course) via an 8-speed automatic transmission, and Audi claims a 0-100 kph time of just 4.3 sec – a touch quicker than the diesel-powered SQ7. Mild-hybrid tech has been included too.
“Surely the facelift comprises more than just a new engine”, I hear some of you say. Yes, it does, but bear in mind that this is the Q7’s 2nd facelift and the aesthetic changes to the model are very subtle.
The tweaks include slightly refreshed bumpers, upgraded head- and tail lamps (that offer customisable animations and themes), new exterior colours, cabin trim options and wheel designs, plus enhancements to the infotainment system (they pertain to connecting to your favourite streaming services).
So, what distinguishes the SQ7 from other top-end Q7 derivatives? Visually, the performance variant is fitted with the largest wheels (20-inch alloys), quad exhaust pipes and a subtle SQ7 tailgate badge to let people know you’re going to win the school run. It’s a pity the SQ7 badge on the nose has been deleted.
The SQ7 is further fitted with all-wheel steering and adaptive suspension as standard. Buyers who seek a particularly focused driving experience can specify a quattro sport diff and active roll stabilisation.
First Impressions
Our Audi SQ7 test unit was finished in a striking hue – Chili Red – and rode on sporty-looking jet-black wheels. It’s probably a far more ostentatious specification than (what we assume) most Q7 customers would choose, but for this exercise – to impress a bunch of jaded motoring journalists – it was perfect.
The surprises didn’t end there. When I started the engine, it created a rather unruly rumble (in a good way). Many performance cars, especially European ones, are losing their voice, but the SQ7 sounds wicked.
Even though the Typ 4M series Audi Q7 has existed for almost a decade, the 7-seater SQ7 still feels quite spacious inside. We’d say the rearmost pair of seats is only really fit to accommodate children, but with the 3rd row stowed, the Audi’s load bay is cavernous – it easily outguns the equivalent BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. And, apart from plenty of visual- and tactile appeal, the build quality is admirable.
If you’re paying top Rands for a luxury model, it simply has to feel the part – and the SQ7 nails the brief. Granted, the 3-screen setup seems a bit old-school compared with the more advanced digital interface in the new A5 sedan, for example, but the Virtual Cockpit is still commendably intuitive (user-friendly).
What is the Audi SQ7 like to drive?
When in Germany, it’s almost compulsory to test a new vehicle on the country’s finest stretch of asphalt, the Autobahn. Now, if you’ve never driven on the ‘bahn, there are certain things to be mindful of… It’s not a free-for-all road on which every M-, Merc-AMG- and RS model (plus a variety of more exotic machinery) constantly travel at ludicrous speeds, and only some sections have no speed limit. The Autobahn’s limits are electronically controlled and the speeds vary based on time of day, traffic congestion and weather.
There are also legal consequences: if you’re involved in an incident on a derestricted part of the ‘bahn, you have increased liability. The German traffic police also have the habit of setting up speed cameras just after speed limits come into play, so more often than not, you’ll need to climb on the brakes. Hard.
But, back to the SQ7! The 2nd iteration of the Q7 is renowned for being an impressive open-road cruiser – it’s effortlessly refined – but the SQ7 turns things up quite a few notches. Even when its most comfort-oriented drive mode was active, the Audi SQ7 could surge forward without hesitation; we’re eager to test its 60-120 kph acceleration figure – it will probably make several performance hatchbacks seem slow.
When you push the accelerator pedal halfway down, the ‘box will kick down promptly and the engine will smoothly deliver all of its goodness until the Audi reaches its electronically limited top speed of 250 kph.
It’s all so undramatic, yet oh-so effective at the same time! With the speedometer reading just over 160 kph (yep, that was our average speed in the middle lane), we were in awe of the car’s overall quietness – minimal road noise intruded into the cabin when were were “cruising”, even at the proverbial ton of 100 mph.
But at full throttle, that twin-turbo V8 reminds us of its presence with a brutish snarl! As for (up)shifts, Audi has improved the torque-converter-type transmission’s calibration for better-timed gear changes; the ‘wheel has shift paddles, but the ‘box shifted so smoothly and predictably that we never used them.
What if you want to carve up a road? When you activate Dynamic mode, the air suspension hunkers down and stiffens, the throttle response becomes sharper and the boisterous exhausts get louder still.
But we wonder whether all that intensity is even necessary. The SQ7 is a fine family cruiser, so why compromise a pliant ride quality with an overly sporty suspension setting? Thankfully, the Individual setting enables a driver to customise the car’s facets; we adore the soft damping/loud exhaust combo.
Autobahn and straight-line performance is one thing, but what about cornering ability in everyday driving conditions? Our test unit was specced with the aforementioned quattro sport differential and active roll stabilisation and, well, the hefty 3-row family SUV felt remarkably nimble and light on its wheels!
Yes, when you hustle the SQ7 into tight bends at higher speeds, you’re well aware of its 2.3-tonne kerb weight, because the Audi is reluctant to change direction quite as sharply as you might like it to. In those conditions, the premium SUV’s brakes will be working hard too, but it is genuinely entertaining to wield the SQ7, at a brisk pace, in the twisties. Again, you don’t have to use the sportiest setting to have fun.
Between each stretch of Bavarian forest road was a series of villages, some of which were even too small to be classed as anything more than a cheery hamlet, but there were electronic speed warning signs everywhere. Once travelling at the civilised urban speed limit of around 45 kph, the SQ7 seemed to glide, with its suspension absorbing almost every road surface imperfection. To be fair, European roads are generally of an exceptionally high standard, so we’re keen to see how this vehicle copes with our mixed quality of SA roads.
How much does the facelifted Audi SQ7 cost in South Africa?
First, let’s chat about the line-up. According to Audi South Africa, the facelifted Q7 range will not feature any turbodiesel-powered derivatives initially – the line-up will comprise petrol-powered variants only.
This is due to production constraints – most turbodiesel Q7s have already been snapped by other right-hand-drive markets (Aren’t diesel cars going out of fashion?). The facelifted Q8 range, however, does include a TDI variant and, if you want even more firepower than the SQ8, the RSQ8 is coming to South Africa.
“The Q7 45 TDI is still under consideration for our market,” Audi South Africa PR and Relationships Manager Terence Steenkamp told Cars.co.za this week. “For now, Audi will offer the option of a diesel model in the popular Q8 range for those buyers who prefer this fuel type over petrol power.”
The facelifted Audi Q7, SQ7, Q8 and SQ8 will all go on sale in South Africa in early 2025. We’ll update this article with pricing as soon as we have it. See also: Audi Q8 (2025) Price & Specs
Summary
While the turbodiesel-powered pre-facelift Audi SQ7 and SQ8 were rapid juggernauts, the 4.0-litre V8 turbopetrol motor does produce a more glorious soundtrack – and offers better performance to boot.
As a result, the updated Audi SQ7 is a far more engaging proposition than its predecessor, which “spoke softly and carried a big stick” (to shamelessly mangle a famous Teddy Roosevelt quote). The SQ7 is really in a class of its own, but you could consider the BMW X7 M60i (also a 7-seater) a distant rival.
This is a light update and one could say Audi has been very pragmatic – “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, as they say. The Q7 PI (2nd facelift model) picks up right where the pre-facelift Q7 left off with exceptional space, refinement, open-road crushing competence and now, with the SQ7, thundering performance.
The Audi Q8 facelift had its international debut in Cape Town, and we were there!
With the facelift imminent, there will be good deals on pre-facelift stock. Search now
