2025 Audi Q7 50 TDI S line Review

The current second generation Audi Q7 has been around for a decade, but incremental updates over the years have managed to keep the large SUV competitive in the face of fierce competition from more modern rivals like the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Range Rover Sport and Lexus LX. Can the latest round of refresh give the Q7 renewed life, once more? Read on.

The 2025 Audi Q7 line up consists of four model grades, with Australian pricing ranging from $108,815 to $136,815 plus on-road costs. This makes the Q7 one of the more affordable models in the segment. Topping the line-up is the V8-powered SQ7 priced at $174,815 plus ORCs, even this top dog is more accessible than the X7 M60i and GLS 63 AMG.

2025 Audi Q7 Price (exclude on-road costs)

Audi Q7 185kW (45 TFSI) 2.0L Petrol quattro – $108,815
Audi Q7 170kW (45 TDI) 3.0L Diesel quattro – $120,530
Audi Q7 210kW (50 TDI) S line 3.0L Diesel quattro – $136,815
Audi Q7 250kW (55 TFSI) S line 3.0L Petrol quattro – $136,815

In essence, the price relative to space and luxury is the main appeal of the Q7. It’s one of the largest luxury SUVs around, with a cabin that’s packed with creature comfort features and relatively up-to-date tech. It doesn’t look its age, either, with the recent facelift freshening up the styling to good effect. It’s a smart and classy looking wagon with the familiar Audi theme of restraint and understatement.

Our tester is the Q7 210kW S line or 50 TDI S line as it’s formerly called. It’s been optioned with the $2,400 Mythos Black metallic paint and boy does it look good in this exterior hue. It’s also been shod with massive 22-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels with a five-spoke star design. These optional wheels, which look sensational on the Q7, are part of the $5,500 Premium Plus package option which also brings Dynamic All-Wheel Steering, Adaptive Air Suspension, High-Gloss Black Exterior Detailing and Power-Assisted Door Closure.

Those options plus the $4,200 Luxury Seat Package which is also fitted to our test car, brings the total as-tested sticker to $148,915 excluding on-road costs. That’s just over $12k worth of options, no small chunk but we think they’re options worth ticking, for they make the Q7 a more complete luxury family SUV with the sophisticated looks and visual statement to match.

Audi Q7 Safety Specification Highlight

• 6 airbags
• Adaptive drive assist
• Active lane guidance
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Blind spot warning
• Audi pre-sense front with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Collision avoidance assist
• Side door exit warning

As mentioned, the interior of the Q7 has always been one of its major draw cards, scoring highly in spaciousness and practicality. Indeed, the first and second row seats have ample of space, with the second row passengers able to truly stretch out thanks to generous toe, leg and headroom. Three adults are able fit across the wide second row bench, though the middle passenger has to put up with quite a large centre hump in the foot well, not a deal breaker just a little inconvenience.

The third row seats are a little cramped but they, too, can accommodate adults and not just kids like certain other 7-seater SUVs. The seat base is a little short so those long in the legs might have to bend their knees to fit in the back. It’s perfectly doable for suburban trips but longer trips might attract some complaint from those in the back.

With all seats up, there’s still a very usable 295 litres of cargo space behind the powered tailgate. Fold the third row seats expands the space to 780 litres and with the second row seats also tumbled there’s a ginormous 1908 litres of space.

In terms of cabin tech, Audi which was once a leader in this space, has lost its edge a bit compared to BMW and Mercedes, at least in the Q7. Not surprising as it’s a 10-year-old platform. While the 12.3-inch fully digital instrumentation cluster still looks very modern with a myriad of customisable options, the dual centre touchscreens aren’t quite keeping with the times, despite being introduced as part of a recent update.

The top display mainly operates the infotainment system and navigation while the bottom display is primarily for climate settings. As an infotainment touchscreen, the top display is way too small in today’s standards. Buttons from smartphone projection appear quite small on screen making them a challenge to operate on the move. The limited screen space also means the map view lacks modern features found in rival systems such as augmented reality navigation guide.

In contrast, the bottom climate control touchscreen is bigger than it needs to be. It doesn’t get utilised very often either as most things can be set to and left at auto. This screen is a bit of a waste. Ideally both top and bottom screens are combined into one larger screen but that will likely require a major redesign of the dashboard. BMW has done it with the X7, we don’t see why Audi can’t.

There’s been a major overhaul of cabin materials in the latest update, with gloss black trims featured over large swathe of the dashboard and centre console. They are contrasted nicely with polished aluminium surrounds and matt brushed aluminium inlays. The feel throughout is very premium and the build quality, an Audi strength, is as good as ever, easily the best in the segment.

Audi Q7 Standard Equipment Highlight

• 12.3-inch digital Instrumentation cluster
• 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 8.6-inch climate control touchscreen
• Head-up display
• DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto
• Audi connect plus (navigation & assistance services)
• Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D Sound System with 17 speakers
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• 4-zone climate control
• Sport front seats with Valcona leather upholstery, electric adjustment and heating
• Sport leather steering wheel with heating
• Powered tailgate with gesture control

Optional Equipment Fitted

• Luxury Seat Package ($4,200)
  • S sport seats
  • Valcona leather with embossed S logo and diamond stitching
  • Seat ventilation for front seats
  • Heating for outer rear seats
• Premium Plus Package ($5,500)
  • 22-inch Audi Sport 5-V-spoke star design
  • Dynamic all-wheel steering
  • Adaptive sport air suspension
  • High-gloss black exterior package
  • Power-assisted door closure

Our Q7 50 TDI (210kW) test vehicle is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6 engine augmented by a 48V mild hybrid system that allows the engine to shut off while coasting. Total output is rated at 210kW of power and 600Nm of torque, all of that channeled through an 8-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive for a swift 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.1 seconds. The diesel engine is one of the smoothest oil burners we have sampled with minimal diesel clatter on the outside and hardly a hint of it inside the cabin.

Response is good and with peak torque on tap between 1750-3250rpm it feels effortless as it is gutsy in most proceedings. Indeed, even with a full haul the Q7 gets going and gets the job done be it cresting a hill or overtaking. We feel this is the most versatile engine in the Q7 line-up thanks mostly to its colossal torque.

Adaptive air suspension is fitted to all S Line variants of the Q7 including this Q7 50 TDI. Unlike typical air sprung systems which can feel a bit floaty the Q7 feels planted and controlled at all times. It strikes a good balance between handling and comfort, with it despatching bumps and ruts with aplomb while keeping the large SUV dynamically composed around corners.

With a refined diesel engine and exemplary ride comfort, the Q7 50 TDI is an amazing long distance cruiser with a luxury driving experience. It’s got efficiency to match, with average fuel economy rated at 7.1L/100km, though that’s optimistic compared to our real-world tested average of 9.6L/100km with over 400km of mixed roads travelled. Still, those are respectable figures for a full-size family SUV.

Verdict

2025 Audi Q7 50 TDI S line pricing and specification