The 2023 Audi Q7 is one of the best three-row luxury SUVs you can buy. It impresses with a lush interior, smooth performance and a comprehensive set of tech features. The only things keeping it from universal acclaim are the cumbersome infotainment interface and tight third-row seating.
Part of the second Q7 generation introduced for 2017
What is the Audi Q7?
The 2023 Audi Q7 is a midsize three-row luxury SUV, and the current model is one of our top-rated vehicles in its category. It competes with its fellow German luxury SUVs such as the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE. Our editors have praised the Q7's comfortable ride quality, premium-feeling interior, and athletic handling for a vehicle its size.
There were a few changes to the Q7 for the 2022 model year. The midtier model gained adaptive cruise with Traffic Jam Assist, and rear side airbags and heated, power-folding exterior mirrors became standard features.
Given that this Q7 generation has spanned six model years, there's a good chance that the 2023 Audi Q7 will get a full redesign and usher in the third generation. There has already been a camouflaged test model spotted in the wild. Expect this new Q7 to be more spacious and loaded with the latest technology. Some outlets are speculating that the Q7's current engines — a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 248 horsepower or a 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 paired to a mild hybrid system) — will carry over into the new model.
Edmunds says
The current Audi Q7 has been around for a while, but it is one of our top-rated midsize three-row luxury SUVs, so if you're in need of a luxury SUV now you can't go wrong with a 2022 model. But if you'd like to see what a redesigned Q7 might entail, it seems smart to hold off amid signs of a coming overhaul.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Audi Q7 Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.11 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi Q7 from 2008-2022.
$748/yr
vs. $735/yr for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
2.26x/yr
vs. 1.83x/yr for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
15.5%
vs. 16.5% for Average Luxury Fullsize SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
2022 Audi Q7 Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
This SUV is a real beauty, but… and it’s a BIG BUT… the technology employed, which truly is extraordinary when working well, is extremely unstable - failing and faulting nearly 25% of the time. We’ve had our Q7 for 6 months and it’s been back to the dealership 5 times. I know all the service advisors by name now. And no offense to service advisors, but I NEVER want to know one (much less … several) by name. It’s so frustrating, because when everything is working well, you’ll never find a better experience. It’s THAT good. But man oh man, when it’s not working, nothing is more infuriating. For one of the many examples, the system is constantly “updating.” The last update - which ended up causing a return to the service department - took 5 days. 5 days of no navigation, no phone, no radio, no nothing. It was like driving a brick. A very very expensive brick.
Not impressed - shop around
2 out of 5 stars
Marie, 05/14/2022
2022 Audi Q7 Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
For the cost, shop around for a better vehicle. I’ve had my 2022 since December and have been back to the dealership many times. There are two beautiful panels for your technology and they DON’T work or sync. I’ve talked to 5 different people and they keep saying that it’s a glitch that they’re working on. The technology is terrible.. as I’m writing this Im staring at 2 blank screens. … At this moment the screens aren’t even turning on which is a problem. I can’t access my radio, temperature control, garage door opener and cameras to name a few things. It’s also a gas guzzler. $100 every couple days. The 2019 Q5 I had was much better quality.
Almost a perfect car
5 out of 5 stars
t w houston, 03/23/2021
2021 Audi Q7 Prestige 4dr SUV AWD w/55 TFSI (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)
Love the exterior look and the interior luxury. It drives like a much smaller car. It is nimble and easy to steer. The drive is so smooth. When you are driving 90 mph it feels like 60 in a regular car. The infotainment system has a high learning curve but after you have everything customized, it is easy to live with. I wish it was available with the high-end B&O sound system, but … the mid-level one sounds good but not great. It is very comfortable and everything works well. The virtual cockpit with Google Earth maps is the highlight. It is very quiet with dual pane glass on the windshield, and both front and rear windows. There is plenty of room for five adults. Adults can fit in the rear if the 2nd row seats are moved forward. The 2nd row seats fold forward a great deal making entry to the 3rd row easy.
Only a few things I don't like: (1) the storage in the front is nearly non-existent with a tiny center console. (2) There is no tire gauge pressure reading. You will get a warning if a particular tire goes below a threshold but there is no numerical readout (3) There is no remote start so remote unlocking through the app.
Now I have had the car for about 7 months. I still feel that it is a great car and my initial impressions were good. The reliability issues of Audi did raise its ugly head during this time. The check engine light came on after about 5000 miles. I brought it into the dealership and they kept it for 2 days and said it was fixed. But the problem recurred after a few days, and I had to bring it back in again for another couple of days. They said they had to replace a fuel pump assembly. The first time they just replaced a sensor. The second time they replaced the whole unit. It has been working fine since then. I have never had a car with such a major engine problem in such a short time. I don't know what that bodes for the future. The dealership was great with free loaner cars with free gas.
Some things I like more over time: The sound system started sounding better and better as the speakers were broken in. I learned how to drive it so I could get really great fuel mileage on the highway. I was able to easily achieve 25 to 27 mpg. The cooled seats work really well. The car is built like a tank. You don't get door dings. I was involved in a minor accident due to somebody illegally driving into my lane. But the car just bounced off the other car with a couple minor scratches that are nearly invisible. Any other car I owned would have had a crumpled side panel.
Things I don't like over time: The auto start-stop can be really rough, although you can turn it off. The fuel mileage in city driving is really bad especially for short trips. There I am getting under 15 mpg. Voice navigation sometimes works well and sometimes not. It depends on whether you get a good network connection with Google. Wireless charging in conjunction with wireless Apple Carplay makes the phone really hot. These are fairly minor gripes.
Overall, once you drive this car, most other cars will feel inadequate and inferior.
The devil is in the details
2 out of 5 stars
Donner, 07/16/2023
2023 Audi Q7 Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/45 TFSI (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A)
After nearly a year with the vehicle and 10,000 miles, the opinion has not changed much from what I wrote below. I definitely prefer driving my 7 year old MB E Class or a 10 year old ML. They are much better vehicles overall.
Let’s start with the good stuff. The Q7 is a beautiful vehicle, handsome on the outside and beautiful inside a German, minimalist style. The seats are … comfortable and there is lots of room. Visibility from the cabin is excellent, especially for my wife who is not tall. Cargo space is good. We were able to pick up 5 family members each with a large suitcase and carry on.
Almost all systems are controlled on one of two touch screens. It takes some time to learn your way around, however. Once you figure it out, getting around is logical.
We have the 2.0 liter engine which delivers good power and reasonable fuel economy for our purposes. Handling is tight and sharp. The ride is firm but comfortable. It is the sort of experience that you would expect from a German luxury vehicle.
The screens including the speedometer and tach can be configured for different drivers. Before starting the car, the driver must select the profile that he or she wants. That can be good or a nuisance depending on your point of view.
Ah, but the devil lurks inside.
The lane keeping assist is really unacceptable. It kicks in too often and too aggressively. When pulling out to pass pedestrians, bicyclists, or stopped vehicles, it actively resists the maneuver trying to push the vehicle back into the danger area. It even resists turning into a curve on the road aggressively. I can easily imagine it causing a driver to respond improperly resulting in an accident.
The backup camera lens is useless in the rain. Unlike other vehicles, airflow causes moisture to accumulate on the lens making the view opaque. The driver has to get out of the car and dry it before using it to back up.
The center console is useless for storage. Under the armrest there is a pad for wireless phone charging and a small shallow tray good for a pen or two. That is all. There is no additional space for change, or other items that drivers typically carry in their cars. The door pockets, by the way, are very skinny compared to other vehicles.
The cupholders in the center console are only large enough to fit a cup the size of a Yeti thermal cup. Don’t plan on carrying any large or off shape containers. The cupholders in the middle row are even smaller and almost useless.
The owners manual was probably written by German engineers who speak excellent English. For example, the map light ca me on spontaneously one evening. The owners manual had instructions on how to turn it off on several different Audi models, none of which was a 2023 Q7. None worked on this vehicle. After 15 minutes of fiddling with the thing, the light went out.
The bottom line, we will not be getting another Audi—or other VW based product. We are four months into a 3 year lease and would love to get out of it.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Audi Q7, so we've included reviews for other years of the Q7 since its last redesign.