Audi Q7 Review 2024

Audi Q7 At A Glance

5/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Q7 is a prime example of what can be achieved through attention to detail. You see, there isn’t a single area in which Audi’s big seven-seater SUV doesn’t do a thoroughly brilliant job.

+Quiet and refined, ideal long distance motorway cruiser, beautifully finished quality interior, seven seats and a huge boot, five Star Euro NCAP rating., six Isofix points.

-Sheer size means it's unwieldy around town, Q7 e-tron only has five seats.

New prices start from £61,355
Insurance Groups are between 35–50
On average it achieves 68% of the official MPG figure

It’s hard to think of a better all-rounder in this class than the Audi Q7. The huge, family-friendly cabin is stuffed with luxury equipment and displays impeccable quality, while on the road, the car is comfortable, quiet and surprisingly agile. What’s more, it’s competitive on prices and running costs. That’s pretty much every box ticked, then. It might not be as capable off-road as a Land Rover Discovery or as stylish as a Volvo XC90, but it’s a fabulous family car that’s hugely desirable.

The Q7 is the best all-rounder in the class, and for that matter, the best SUV in the class. Yep, it’s that good.

First and foremost, it’s a brilliant family car. It’s among the roomiest cars of its type, with generous space surrounding each of its seven seats, and with so many different options over how much of the space is used for seating and how much is used for cargo, it’s also hugely versatile. Those on board will also feel spoiled due to the amazing cabin quality and generous luxury kit.

Just as importantly, it’s an ideal family car in the way it drives. On all sorts of roads, the Q7 stays comfortable and quiet, keeping life relaxed on every journey.

And despite its impressive comfort, it’s still impressively agile in corners, keeping things safe and settled for passengers, and surprisingly entertaining for the driver. One quick caveat here: the best Q7s ride on air suspension. This was standard on post-facelift cars of 2019 onwards, but optional before that.

The engines, meanwhile, give an impressive blend of performance, economy and refinement, while lots of safety equipment and a five-star Euro NCAP rating means your family will be well looked after. Any complaints? Well, the touchscreen system on post-facelift cars is a bit fiddly and distracting, and the automatic gearbox could be quicker to respond, but other than that, there’s very little to moan about.

Looking for a second opinion? Read heycar's Audi Q7 review.

Ask Honest John

My son needs a car that can take three child seats, what are his options?

"My son has already has a daughter and is now expecting twins. What cars can fit three child seats side by side, and do these have to be Isofix fittings?"
There are quite a few options when it comes to cars that can comfortably take three child seats. We'd always strongly recommend Isofix for all child seats as it's far safer than purely a seatbelt mount. If your son is looking for an SUV, depending on budget we would recommend the current Audi Q7 or for something cheaper, the Peugeot 5008 which both have three Isofix mountings in the middle row. He could do down the less fashionable MPV route, but these do have lots of space. We'd recommend the Ford S-MAX but there's also the Ford Galaxy, SEAT Alhambra, Volkswagen Touran and the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso (later nenamed the Grand C4 Spacetourer) that are worth checking out. As these are all seven seaters, depending on how old your granddaughter is (and what car seat she has), she can either sit in the middle or alternatively the back row. The only difficulty is that with a Group 0+ child seat on both outer seats, access to the rear seats is pretty much impossible. If you're on more of a budget, the Vauxhall Insignia Sport can take three child seats on the back row although it's not as roomy as an SUV. If you want practicality, there are options like the Citroen Berlingo from 2018 onwards. The second row has three individual seats, each of which has Isofix, and there's also the option of the Berlingo XL which has seven seats.
Answered by David Ross

Can I replace just two tyres on a four-wheel drive Audi?

"I’ve picked up nails in two of my Audi Q7 tyres and need to replace them. Should I replace all four tyres?"
Given the size, power and value of the vehicle, I would suggest replacing all four. Replacing a pair of tyres on each axle doesn't always result in mechanical problems, but it can increase the wear of the differentials (as the worn tyres have a lower circumference and will rotate faster than the new pair). Replacing the differentials on an Audi Q7 is a very expensive job.
Answered by Dan Powell

Can you recommend an SUV or estate car that can carry ladders?

"My 2014 2.0-litre diesel auto BMW 5 Series falls foul of the clean air zone (CAZ) requirements. It's been my third 5 Series, used for my work as a surveyor. The rear seats fold to accommodate my ladders and other long equipment. I'm looking to replace it with a CAZ compliant vehicle that fulfills the role. My motoring is a mixture of local journeys and longer runs of up to 300 miles round trips, including the London area. I have got used to a larger car, and automatic is a must. I'm not wedded to BMW and would consider something cheaper but of decent quality, finish and accessories. Comfortable seats and a quiet cabin are desirable. I have always preferred lighter coloured interior upholstery. I have tended to buy used cars at about 3 years old. An initial search suggested a Ford Mondeo estate, but I am aware that the fashion is now for the SUV type of vehicle, and I'm not a fan of estate cars, though I would consider one. Can you suggest a few alternatives that I might consider? My budget is flexible but, if my car is worth about £6,000, I would not wish to add much more that £14,000-£16,000 to that."
The issue with SUVs is that they may not be long enough to accommodate your equipment, unless you go for something large such as a Kia Sorento or BMW X5/Audi Q7. Other options we would be considering are the Volkswagen Passat or Skoda Superb Estate, the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer, the Volvo V90 and the Mazda 6 Tourer. A Skoda Kodiaq may also fulfill your needs but again isn't as long as the estate cars here.
Answered by Lawrence Allan

Looking for a quiet car with a big boot for £30,000 - what do you recommend?

"I need a quiet, refined car with a big boot (600 litres) which is fun to drive and has good visibility. I currently run a top of the range Seat Leon which is much fun but has awful tyre noise despite choosing the quietest tyres and fitting extra sound deadening. I'm looking for something around three years old at around £30,000. What do you suggest? Jaguar F-Pace? "
The Jaguar F-Pace is definitely an option – it handles well for a relatively large SUV and it'll be quieter than your Leon. You'll also have plenty of space. Your budget is enough to get you a low-mile 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel or a high-mile 3.0-litre six-cylinder. The latter has loads of power, is smoother and quieter than the 2.0-litre. Petrol models are also available, but we'd only advise one of them if you have a relatively low annual mileage because the fuel costs can be terrifying. F-Pace review, here: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/jaguar/f-pace-2016/ If you prefer to go all out for comfort, the Audi Q7 is a great shout. It has even more space than the Jaguar, and the more powerful version of its six-cylinder diesel engine is very refined. Get one with air suspension, and you won't find many more comfortable cars: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/audi/q7-2015/
Answered by Russell Campbell
More Questions

What does a Audi Q7 cost?