Name: Audi Q7 (2015 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Audi Q7
Rating: 60.0

Table of contents – Audi Q7

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Summary

The Audi Q7 is a large SUV/crossover, the largest in Audi’s rapidly expanding model range. The current second-generation model was launched in 2015, with a mid-life update in 2019.

The Q7 range includes the flagship high-performance SQ7 model. There was previously a diesel-electric plug-in hybrid model, however this was dropped in 2019 when the range was updated and is now purely petrol-powered. Regular Q7 models have a choice of petrol or diesel power.

Both the Audi Q7 and SQ7 have received good reviews from the UK media, with the SQ7 averaging very slightly higher scores in most cases. The whole Q7 range has received particular praise for its comfort, refinement and cabin quality, which are all considered to be best in class.

However, the Q7 appears to be better to drive than to live with. According to our reliability data (see ‘Reliability rating’ section below), it has one of the worst reliability records of any car in our database. Running costs are also very high, which is not that surprising for a seven-seat, near-three-tonne, petrol or diesel SUV.

As of September 2024, the Audi Q7 has a New Car Expert Rating of C with a score of 60%, which is significantly better than its Used Car Expert Rating score of E. This is dragged down because reliability and running costs are given more weight in our used car ratings.

More Audi Expert Ratings, reviews, news and features

Key specifications

Body style: Large SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £68,370 on-road

Launched: Summer 2015
Last updated: Spring 2024
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 50 TDI Sport
“One of the most comfortable cars on the market, combined with a luxurious interior and some fantastic engines, makes the Audi Q7 is a superb all-rounder.”
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q7 luxury SUV is practical and packed with hi-tech features, while it’s still capable enough of mixing it with premium rivals.” (Paul Adam)
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Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic SQ7
Score: 7 / 10
“The Audi SQ7 makes a case for itself as the performance SUV to buy if you still value comfort alongside pace. It’s not as exciting as rivals from Mercedes or BMW, but its potential as a long-distance cruiser and its comfort around town, on less than ideal tarmac, is impressive.”
Read review

Model reviewed: 60 TFSIe 455ps Competition
Score: 8 / 10
“The Audi Q7 60 TFSIe Competition is a worthy addition to the large SUV range. It has the same abilities as other Q7s, of course – but it scores heavily on refinement and cabin tech.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The facelifted Q7 is still one of the best luxury SUVs in its class – but the 50 TDI will be a better pick for most buyers when it comes to running costs.”
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Audi Q7 has always been an impressive seven-seat premium SUV and a mid-life refresh has done nothing to change that. It’s also one of the most spacious cars of its type, which means it will have plenty of appeal to families.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic SQ7
Score: 9 / 10
“It’s impossible not to be taken by the sheer breadth of the Audi SQ7’s talent. It’s a phenomenally capable and extremely refined long-distance tourer; but has the pace, the grip and the control to amuse and entertain when the road ahead gets a bit more interesting.”
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Model reviewed: 60 TFSIe quattro
Score: 8 / 10
“Facelifted luxury SUV finds its soul mate in a 443bhp plug-in hybrid powertrain.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“Impressively comfortable, massively refined and as a long-distance cruiser, very likeable indeed.”
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Business Car+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid 55 TFSI e S line
Score: 7 / 10
“The Audi Q7 plug-in hybrid SUV impresses in many ways, but there’s a major flaw, and it comes in the form of Audi’s German arch-rivals. The plug-in hybrid versions of the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE both have bigger batteries than the TFSI e.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: 4.0-litre petrol automatic SQ7
Score: 8 / 10
“A new petrol-powered heart has made the Audi SQ7 a bit more of a lout under its buttoned-up exterior – louder and more aggressive and likes a drink a little more than before. But you’re still impressed by its breadth of talents.” (Ben Barry)
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Model reviewed: plug-in hybrid models
Score: 8 / 10
“The hybrid to solve all of our problems? Nope. The electric-only range is only just acceptable, and the Q7 also loses one of its USPs – a seven-seat configuration – by translating itself into a PHEV. But it’s tremendously refined, comfortable, practical and, frankly, way faster than a hybrid ought to be.”
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Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 8 / 10
“Audi really didn’t need to make huge changes to the Q7. It’s had to move with the times and fall in line with the rest of the range, and the good news is the interior feels like an excellent blend of high-tech and luxurious.”
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Model reviewed: SQ7
Score: 8 / 10
“In isolation, the Audi SQ7 is a wonderful thing. It’s a total techfest and certainly houses one of the best (and most interesting) motors you can currently buy.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 50
Score: 9 / 10
“A refresh of the Audi Q7 has built further on a car that was already one of the best luxury SUVs on the new market. It’s fair to call this car one of most comfortable money can buy — while a luxurious cabin and impressive powertrains combine to make this a fantastic machine.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.6 / 10
“The huge Audi Q7 is powerful, has a fantastic interior and can be surprisingly affordable to run for such a large car.” (Andy Goodwin)
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: SQ7
Score: 7 / 10
“The Audi SQ7 is a seriously fast version of the seven-seat Q7 SUV but, while it has the pace to match some hot-hatches, it doesn’t feel all that dramatic to drive and it is very expensive.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“If you’re after a practical, comfortable seven-seat SUV that’s as posh as it is well-equipped, the Audi Q7 should be right at the top of your list. If only it was a little more fun to drive…”
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Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid automatic 55 TFSIe S line
“Definitely the Q7 of choice for the company market despite being more expensive to buy than the petrol or diesel versions, but rival PHEVs are hugely more tax-efficient as they get below the magic 50g/km marker for BiK.”
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Model reviewed: petrol-electric plug-in hybrid 60 TFSIe S line
“The most fleet-friendly Audi Q7. It’s also the most appealing to use thanks to great efficiency, impressive performance and total refinement. But only five seats.”
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Daily Mail+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic
Score: 10 / 10
“I was blown away by the looks, it accelerates and handles well and is big on storage. There is very little not to like.” (Chris Evans)
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Evo+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Better to drive and plenty of tech, but still behind rivals”
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Green Car Guide+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel-electric plug-in hybrid
Score: 9 / 10
“For drivers who cover up to 20 miles or so locally between charges, and then undertake longer journeys, this car will offer better economy than a petrol plug-in hybrid, and if driven on electric power, it can offer zero tailpipe emissions in built-up areas – so much better than a conventional diesel.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Audi Q7 is a prime example of what can be achieved through attention to detail. Leave no stone unturned, and great things can happen.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“Comfortable, quiet, practical and more efficient. You could almost say the Audi Q7 has been worth the wait.”
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Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Audi’s flagship SUV is suitably big, bold and brash. Launched in 2015, it oozes luxury, with an interior that’s as good as any rival.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Modern, imposing, capable and efficient full-sized SUV.”
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Model reviewed: SQ7
Score: 8 / 10
“Audi’s seven-seater supercar-slayer”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 45 TDI S line
“Audi’s facelifted Q7 feels luxurious and is actually quite fun to drive”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic S line
Score: 6 / 10
“If Yoda were heading to the Highlands, he’d go in this” (AA Gill)
Read review

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic
Score: 8 / 10
“It can handle Namibia; the run to Nobu will be a breeze”
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The Telegraph+

Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 50 TDI Quattro S Line
Score: 10 / 10
“Decry big SUVs all you like – if people want them, the manufacturers will build them. And of them all, the Audi Q7 is the best at being a proper seven-seat family wagon with an upmarket bent. This facelift brings standard air suspension, making the Q7 more comfortable, as well as a host of other worthwhile upgrades. It’s worth waiting for.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“Not exactly revolutionary, but it makes plenty of sense… if you need this sort of thing.”
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Model reviewed: 50 TDI
“This is an enormous, and quite enormously intimidating, ‘car’. Inverted commas, because it’s actually a tank masquerading as a friendly family-mobile, albeit an incredibly upmarket one.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 10 / 10
“The outstanding Audi Q7 offers a relaxing blend of comfort and peaceful cruising manners, while proving surprisingly agile for such a big SUV, too.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 92%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 71%
Safety assist: 72%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of September 2024, the Audi Q7 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 319
Average repair cost: £1115.10
Last updated: September 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

The Audi Q7 has a very poor reliability score of just 14%, according to exclusive workshop data provided by our partner MotorEasy. This score covers both the current-generation Q7 and the original (pre-2015) version, and is one of the worst scores of any cars we track.

About a quarter of warranty repairs relate to the car’s engine, which are unsurprisingly expensive with an average repair cost of more than £1,200. There are also plenty of reported warranty repairs for suspension and fuel systems, and these are unusually expensive as well, costing about £1,000 and £2,000 on average to repair, respectively. Gearbox problems are the fewest according to our data, but also the most expensive with an average repair bill of more than £2,200.

It’s not just our data that finds issue with the Audi Q7’s reliability record, however. In 2022, warranty provider Warrantywise ranked the Q7 sixth in a table of the least reliable used cars (up to ten year old) on sale in the UK.

Given the below-average reliability score and potentially expensive bills, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase for an Audi Q7 covers all of these potential problem areas.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	26 mpg	E	23 – 27 mpg	E – E
Diesel models	35 mpg	D	29 – 35 mpg	D – E
Plug-in hybrid models	112 mpg	A	86 – 135 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	251 g/km	D	233 – 285 g/km	D – D
Diesel models	212 g/km	D	209 – 251 g/km	D – D
Plug-in hybrid models	59 g/km	A	47 – 75 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	30 miles	E	26 – 34 miles	E – E

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	45	D	42 – 50	D – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£405	C
Year 2	£973	D
Year 3	£1,598	D
Year 4	£1,870	D
Year 5	£2,446	D
Overall	£7,292	D

Running costs for the Audi Q7 range are quite expensive, according to data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our commercial partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Fuel economy is disappointing for petrol models and moderately better for diesel-engined versions. The plug-in hybrid models look amazing on paper, but this is largely thanks to ridiculous EU/UK government lab tests that are completely inadequate for plug-in hybrids. There is no way you will ever travel for 112 miles on a single gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and some electricity…

Compared to the rest of the large SUV sector, the car’s service and maintenance costs are pretty average. Insurance costs likely to be high, though, based on data from the UK’s insurance group assessor, Thatcham Research.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Audi Q7

Jan 2024

Nov 2023

Feb 2022

Jun 2021

Dec 2020

May 2020

Apr 2020

Mar 2020

Feb 2020

Nov 2019

Feb 2019

Sep 2016

Date: January 2024
Recall number: R/2024/018
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2023 to 10/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 187
Defect: The function of the side airbag may be restricted due to the airbag not being sufficiently secured to the front left seat frame.
Remedy: Conduct a check of the airbag to ensure it is secured correctly; if necessary the side airbag is to be correctly hooked in position and resecured.

Date: November 2023
Recall number: R/2023/331
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 13
Defect: A weld seam on the outer backrest frame of the front seats may not have been made correctly.
Remedy: Check the front seats and if required to replace the affected backrest.

Date: February 2022
Recall number: R/2022/036
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2019 to 02/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 5,327
Defect: Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed.
Remedy: The wheel alignment must be checked and if necessary the suspension must be serviced on the affected vehicles.

Date: June 2021
Recall number: R/2021/236
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2019 to 02/2021
Number of vehicles affected: 10,089
Defect: One or more nuts which do not meet the specifications may have been fitted on the rear axle suspension links.
Remedy: The affected nuts on the rear axle will be replaced on affected vehicles.

Date: December 2020
Recall number: R/2020/372
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2020 to 09/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 31
Defect: Faulty crash sensors for airbag / restraint systems may have been fitted in both of the front doors.
Remedy: The crash sensors for the side airbags (front) must be checked on the vehicles affected and replaced if necessary.

Date: May 2020
Recall number: R/2020/135
Model types: All
Build dates: 09/2019 to 12/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 1,568
Defect: It is possible that gear oil may escape due to a faulty welded joint on the gearbox oil line.
Remedy: The production date of the gear oil line must be checked first on the vehicles affected and the gear oil line must be replaced if necessary.

Date: April 2020
Recall number: R/2020/124
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2019 to 09/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 130
Defect: The function of the locking mechanism on the front head restraints may be impaired.
Remedy: The front head restraints must be replaced on the affected vehicles.

Date: March 2020
Recall number: R/2020/075
Model types: All
Build dates: 06/2015 to 02/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 114
Defect: The bolted connection between the steering shaft and the steering rack may not have been tightened to the required torque.
Remedy: The bolted connection between the steering shaft and the steering rack will be checked and if necessary replaced.

Date: February 2020
Recall number: R/2020/056
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 2
Defect: The fastener securing an air duct component in the curtain airbag could detach in the event of an accident.
Remedy: Replace the igniter on the affected vehicles curtain airbags.

Date: November 2019
Recall number: R/2019/395
Model types: All
Build dates: 08/2019 to 11/2019
Number of vehicles affected: 2,390
Defect: Major overheating can occur in the area of the interior mirror on the windscreen due to the heating element of the front camera.
Remedy: The backlight masking screen of the front camera must be replaced and a software update carried out.

Date: February 2019
Recall number: R/2019/065
Model types: All
Build dates: 11/2018 to 12/2018
Number of vehicles affected: 31
Defect: A casting process error may affect the rigidity of the front shock absorber fork.
Remedy: Replace the affected shock absorber forks.

Date: September 2016
Recall number: R/2016/220
Model types: All
Build dates: 05/2015 to 09/2016
Number of vehicles affected: 6,775
Defect: On Audi Q7 vehicles with 7 seats manufactured within a specific period the indentations on the cross piece of the third row of seats were not made correctly. As a result the third row seat structure may deform in the event of an accident.
Remedy: A support bracket must be retrofitted on the vehicles affected.

As of September 2024, there have been 12 DVSA vehicle safety recalls on this generation of the Audi Q7, addressing various different issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Audi dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Q7, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.