The original Audi Q7 came to market in 2005 and held its own for a long ten-year stint. Almost an eternity in car years and Audi updated the second generation of the Q7 for the last model year. This midlife refresh is anything radical for Audi, it’s just aligning their Q7 with the rest of their flagship vehicles. Perhaps in Audi’s mind, their largest SUV is borderline perfect and the revisions aren’t as time-sensitive as their other products.

The Q7 is an incredibly desirable product and only a few shortcomings keep it from perfection 

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2020 Updates

The 2020 model year received a host of upgrades to bring the midsize, three-row SUV up to speed with the rest of most premium vehicles in Audi’s lineup. Those changes include the latest mild-hybrid integration with the standard 3.0L V6, the substantial interior overall, and a short list of exterior changes to help the Q7 look up to date with Audi’s latest design language. Starting off with the infotainment, its the same MMI Touch that Audi has used for a few years on the A6, A7, A8, Q8 and e-tron models. The MMI Touch infotainment system features the 10.1inch top screen and the 8.6inch bottom screen. The larger screen is used primarily for basic vehicle settings, navigation and the phone connectivity. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available for this Audi. The lower screen is mostly used for climate control. Both screens feature haptic feedback, which requires a deeper press into the touchscreen than tapping like a smartphone. There’s a tiny slit between the screen and the surrounding black plastic for the top screen allowing for this minute vibration to occur.

The haptic feedback sensation is pleasant but the tapping to select appeared to more reliable and less-energy intensive from the driver and passenger. The rest of the interior is a copy-and-paste job from the Q8. No surprise as both vehicles are built upon the MLB Evo platform, the standardized platform for VW Group’s most exclusive and desirable models. The leather used across the dashboard, steering and seats are buttery smooth with exquisite stitching and tasteful uses of soft plastics. The build quality is amongst the best the automotive industry can offer, at any given price.

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Interior Space, Practicality and Design

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The biggest disappointment with the interior is the storage space up front. The door pockets are smaller than its competitors and the center armrests reveal space for the Qi wireless charging pad, a space for a couple pens and that’s it. There isn’t even an overheard sunglass compartment in the Q7. The front row stage capacity will be challenging the minute both cupholders are filled. Second row storage offer its occupants nets on the front seats backs but little more than that. The second row occupants surely won’t complain about the seating comfort and flexibility. Each seat slides, reclines and folds independently with the same leather used up front. The Q7 comes standard with tri-zone climate control but this model featureless the quad-zone system. Both of these specifications allow second row passengers to manipulate settings with a small touch-sensitive screen below the front row centre console. To mention the third row seating, Audi will claim that these seats are reserved for children, but with the amount of leg space, they’re better suited for toddlers. These seats should only be used in the most dire of circumstances for anyone over three-foot tall. Fortunately, these seats can be raised and lowered electronically with buttons mounted on the carpeted wheel arches behind the second row and front the boot space. With the air suspension fitted to this Q7, the rear end can squat down, and in turn, lower the floor to assist loading and unloading into the boot. Both rows can fold totally flat, allowing the Q7 to become an incredibly spacious, luxury van.

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Summarization of the Driving Experience

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The air suspension also provides the Q7 is the solidity demanded from Audi’s most expensive models. The Q7’s structure and build quality rewards its driver with an indomitable feeling behind the wheel. This topline model featured the 21 inch rims, as stunning as they look, would occasionally rumble some of the poor surfaces into the cabin. Thicker sidewalls would likely be enough to assist this slight issue. Power from the 3L turbocharged hot-vee 48V mild-hybrid V6 (whoa) replaces the supercharged V6 in the Q7 before the midlife update. Power and torque increased to 335 horsepower and 369lb/ft of torque (13.4/10.4/12.0 L/100km in the city/highway/combined) is best described as adequate. Getting off the line is brisk but the V6 often feels like it has more to power in the rev range. The power plant itself is smooth and doesn’t lead to any vibration in the cabin. The mild-hybrid assist improves the engines stop/start system in the most part (read the review of the 2021 Audi Q5 to go more in depth with the functionality of this system) alongside a few improvements that, in part, improve fuel efficiency.

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Almost Perfect

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The updated Q7 is hardly a revelation but it reminds us all just how good Audi is at building cars. The Q7 is as refined as SUV’s this size can be. With the as-tested price of $91,200CAD is unattainable to most, but to those fortunate enough to own the latest iteration of the Q7, they will hope to spend as much time behind the wheel as life allows. It’s obvious the brand won’t need another refresh or regeneration for quite some time, and will likely remain as competent and competitive in the years to come.

This review was made possible with the help of Glenmore Audi in Calgary, Alberta

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