A vehicle like the 2024 Audi SQ7 doesn’t make sense to everyone; the regular Q7 can get the kids to school effortlessly as it is, so who needs almost double the horsepower from the S model? If this is a question you could see yourself asking, you’ll likely gloss over the sporty SQ7 and buy the Q7. But if it sounds appealing to drive a family SUV that can provide the same thrills as the sports car you used to own before the kids arrived, keep reading this review.
2024 Audi SQ7
BuzzScore
- Base MSRP
-
$90,400
- Engine
-
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
- Horsepower
-
500 hp
- Torque
-
568 lb-ft
- Exterior Design
- Performance
- Fuel Efficiency
- Interior & Cargo
- Infotainment & Features
- Reliability
- Safety
- Value For Money
- Ample power and good performance
- Smooth and comfortable ride
- Practical for larger families in terms of space
- Elegant and understated looks, inside and out
- High fuel consumption
- Styling is a little too vanilla for some
- In need of an update
Whereas the 2024 Audi Q7 packs a satisfactory turbocharged V6 under the hood in top trims, the SQ7 goes over-the-top with a twin-turbo V8 that shells out 500 hp. The SQ7 does so without sacrificing an ounce of its practicality. Audi’s high-performance RS models often compromise comfort in the name of speed, but the S models walk a fine line between luxury and sporty flavor.
We spent a week driving the 2024 SQ7 in the fully-loaded Prestige trim level to learn how Audi merges power and serenity into one SUV.
Exterior: Sleeper Speed
The SQ7 isn’t an SUV that screams, “I’m fast and expensive, please pull me over for speeding.” In fact, the SQ7 doesn’t look majorly different from the standard Q7 on which it is based. It rides on 21-inch wheels as standard (22-inch wheels are optional), and it gets HD Matrix-design LED headlights with Audi laser light. Those lights play some intricate animations at night when you unlock the car – your kids and their friends will love it.
While we had the 2024 SQ7 in for testing, Audi revealed a facelift for the entire 2025 Q7 lineup. It gets a redesigned front end that looks more like the Q8 with a silver ring around the grille, which can be made black for a fee. The headlights feature a sharper shape and the taillight signature is more intricate. Some bold color choices join the roster for 2025, including Sakhir Gold metallic, Ascari Blue metallic, and Chilli Red metallic. Sadly, our 2024 tester wore a somewhat boring shade of Satellite Silver metallic from the Audi school of ‘all business’.
Interior: Ready For A Refresh
Last refreshed in 2020, the Q7 and its SQ7 sibling are starting to feel their age, having last been fully redesigned for the 2016 model year. The 10.1-inch touchscreen looks small compared to rivals, but having the lower 8.6-inch touchscreen separate for climate control means the upper screen never feels like it’s lacking for real estate. It still features modern amenities like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the optional Bang & Olufsen Advanced 3D Sound System packs a crystal clear punch, albeit for $5,000.
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As with the exterior, this cabin doesn’t appear flashy, with jaw-dropping ambient lighting or massive displays. It’s clean, well laid-out, and everything feels sturdy. A black interior makes the straightforward cabin look a little bland, while available Rotor Gray and Arras Red options spice things up a bit. All SQ7s benefit from sportier S seats, which feature gorgeous diamond-quilting.
Practicality: An In-Between SUV
The Q7, and by extension, the SQ7, sit in an awkward position against comparable luxury rivals. It’s shorter than the BMW X7 by over four inches, but longer than an X5 by five inches. Compared to the Japanese SUVs, only the Lexus TX is longer on the outside, but it packs more space inside.
|
Audi SQ7 Interior Dimensions |
|
|---|---|
|
Headroom Front | Middle | Rear |
39.9 in. | 38.8 in. | 29.2 in. |
|
Legroom Front | Middle | Rear |
41.7 in. | 38.8 in. | 29.2 in. |
|
Cargo Capacity |
14.2 – 69.9 ft³ |
|
Seating Capacity |
7 Seats |
The second-row legroom is competitive, but the third row is on the small side at 29.2 inches. Unlike other vehicles in this segment, the SQ7 only comes in one configuration: a bench in the second row with seating for seven passengers total.
Audi says the SQ7 can fit 14.2 cubic feet of space behind its power-operated third row, which is smaller than the Japanese competitors but more spacious than the BMW. Folding the third row opens up 35.7 cubes, while flipping down the second row provides 69.6 cubes. These are not class-leading cargo figures, but they are far from inadequate.
Performance: Faster Than Expected
500 hp in an SUV might have shocked people a decade or two ago, but these days, it’s not unexpected. The SQ7’s speed is unexpected, however. With 568 lb-ft of torque on tap, Audi cites a 4.3-second 0-60 mph time. In our independent testing, the SQ7 rocket made its way to 60 mph in just 3.79 seconds, crushing Audi’s conservative estimate. We didn’t keep the throttle pinned beyond that, but given a long enough road, the SQ7 can hit 155 mph. Power goes out to a standard quattro all-wheel-drive system through a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission.
-
2024 Audi Q7
Family SUV
- Base MSRP
-
$59,500
- Engine
-
2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
- Horsepower
-
261 hp
- Top Speed
-
130 mph
- 0-60 MPH
-
6.7 seconds
-
2024 Audi SQ7
Performance
- Base MSRP
-
$90,400
- Engine
-
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
- Horsepower
-
500 hp
- Top Speed
-
155 mph
- 0-60 MPH
-
4 seconds
As payment for this impressive performance, the SQ7’s V8 engine asks for premium fuel – and a lot of it. Even with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, fuel economy is rated at 15/21/17 MPG city/highway/combined. On a drive from Miami to Orlando, we only managed 18.9 MPG.
Driving Impressions: Family Athlete
Audi’s approach to performance is less in-your-face than BMW’s M Division or Mercedes-AMG, especially for the S models. The V8 engine produces a low rumble, but not one that will wake the children from their nap. Sport Adaptive Air suspension rides beautifully over rough pavement, even with giant 22-inch wheels. An optional S Sport package for $6,000 adds active roll stabilization powered by the mild-hybrid system, keeping the SQ7 flat and level around bends. Not only does this suspension help fight the 5,291-pound curb weight, but it also mitigates car sickness if you happen to take a family road trip on a winding road.
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Between the roll stabilization and rear-wheel steering, the SQ7 scoots along like a much smaller SUV. In fact, it feels more exciting to drive than its smaller sibling, the SQ5. There are higher-performance SUVs like the Alpina XB7 and the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, but those sacrifice more on comfort and have significantly higher price tags.
Verdict: Still Great, Despite Its Age
Spending a week driving the 2024 SQ7 reminded us that Audi’s largest SUV still packs a punch. With 2025 models already on their way to dealerships, we’re focusing on the latest and greatest. The 2025 Audi SQ7 starts at $90,800 – a modest $400 bump from the price of the 2024 model. While we prefer the styling on the 2025 SQ7, we wouldn’t mind taking a discount on a leftover 2024 unit if one was available. If everything about the SQ7 seems appealing, but you don’t really care about performance, the base four-cylinder Q7 45 TFSI costs $60,500 while the turbocharged V6 55 TFSI starts at $65,800.
Related Read
Updated Audi Q7 And SQ7 Priced From $60k
The 2025 Audi Q7 range costs almost exactly what the 2024 did
Though the SQ7 sits at the top of the Q7 range, it still has some pricey options available. If you check every box, it’s possible to price an SQ7 up to over $117,000. We’d spring for the $4,900 Bang & Olufsen stereo and the $6,000 Prestige Package, then call it quits for $103,590. It may not be the largest or the newest luxury SUV on the market, but the SQ7 is still a strong option if you have deep pockets.