2022 Audi Q7

Audi Q7 2021-2022 Review

Of the numerous Audi SUV and crossover products, only one can claim to be the first. As the world developed a serious appetite for luxury SUVs, Audi eventually realized they just couldn’t ignore the market forces at play and caved in – even though their estate products were loved throughout most of the world an delivered excellent practicality in a more compact, sleeker package.

The Audi Q7 was first unveiled to the world in 2005, and it was met with somewhat mixed reviews being a little late to the game and not being noticeably different in execution to its rivals. It was essentially a large, tall Audi product – which in itself isn’t a bad thing. The problem was more that it didn’t stand out in particular way, and Audi made sure not to repeat that mistake for their Q5 which became an incredibly popular product.

The second generation of the Audi Q7 was launched in 2015, with its most recent facelift being introduced in 2020. Unfortunately our last local product update for the Q7 was back in 2019 with some technical updates, and Audi hasn’t yet launched the facelifted Q7 in our market.

In the past, buyers had a range of options of powertrains for their Audi Q7, including diesel powertrains, but over time that has been streamlined and by the time this second generation Q7 was introduced, there were barely any options available. Now you are limited to just a singular powertrain and specification option.

Audi Q7 2021-2022 Specifications

There is only one variant of the Audi Q7 on offer in Malaysia and it comes with a supercharged 3.0 litre V6 petrol engine. This is a fairly interesting powertrain because it’s one of the last of its kind, as most Audi products at this point have transitioned to a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine based on the same base engine.

The engine featured most prominently on the Audi S4 B8, although in the time since then there have been a couple of tweaks and revisions. In the Q7 application, it makes a healthy 335 hp and 440 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed conventional automatic transmission that spreads power across all four wheels through the quattro all-wheel drive system.

Dimensionally, the Audi Q7 is no shrinking violet. The wheelbase measures in at 2,994 mm, with a length of 5,052 mm, a width of 1,968 mm, and a height of 1,741 mm. The curb weight is just over 2 tonnes, which is pretty normal for a vehicle in this class.

Audi Q7 2021-2022 Exterior

Traditionally the Audi Q7 has always looked a little oddly proportioned – a little too tall and long for its width, not quite seeming as sporty as some of its siblings might be and almost looking a little MPV-ish. The current generation is no different, and bizarrely the most current Audi Q5 looks as sharp as a razor in comparison.

In terms of equipment on the outside, the Q7 gets 10 Y-spoke design alloy wheels that are 20 inches in diameter, as well as LED headlamps with daytime running lights, and LED rear combination lamps. Beyond this the Q7 maintains its relatively understated look.

Audi Q7 2021-2022 Interior

On the inside of the Audi Q7, you are treated to a combination of leather and leatherette, as well as decorative inserts in anodized paint and brushed aluminium finishes. The front seats are electrically adjustable, including four way lumbar support, and the Audi virtual cockpit is an ever exciting replacement for the instrument cluster that provides a much more exciting and engaging driving experience. A three-spoke leather steering wheel with multifunctional buttons and paddle shifters sits front and centre of the driver, offering easy access and control over both infotainment and instrument cluster functionality.

Audi Q7 2021-2022 Safety Features

The Audi Q7 is drearily light on safety items, especially in this day and age. It has not a single advanced driver assistance system – even the cruise control is manually limited – but it does manage to at least get the basic items like electronic stability and traction control down. This is incredibly disappointing for a luxury product sold in 2021-2022, when even an entry level mass market car can come packaged with advanced safety systems.

Audi Q7 2021-2022 Strengths & Weakness

The issues the Audi Q7 faced with its first generation have unfortunately followed it to this day. It remains an unpopular option not merely because of the high pricing for the product level it is at, but also because there are no particular stand-out strengths or features that set it apart from the competition. It isn’t the most dynamic, nor is it the most comfortable – and even its quattro all-wheel drive system doesn’t hold any particularly edge when all of its rivals come packaged with all-wheel drive as well.

To find the strengths in the Audi Q7 requires a lot of digging, and perhaps a shift in perspective. The powertrain it comes with is unique in its forced induction – while not being the most efficient or powerful, it has character that you can’t find anywhere else. Similarly the interior design of an Audi remains the most futuristic of its peers – at least until Mercedes-Benz updates their models to follow their most current interior design.

Audi Q7 2021-2022 Price

Pricing for the Audi Q7 starts at RM 599,900.00 – though this is not inclusive of any of the current sales tax exemptions in place as it is possible Audi Malaysia has already discontinued the sales of this model in preparation for the facelifted variant. With that purchase price came a five year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Audi Q7 2021-2022 Features

While the feature list on the Audi Q7 is not particularly unique or intriguing, it is comprehensive in its composition. Audi connect is provided as standard, as is MMI Navigation Plus with MMI touch response. The latter two items are essentially inbuilt navigation and touch screen and touch pad controllability. There is also a BOSE premium sound system with 3D sound that helps to recreate audio – whether it be from songs or podcasts or even a talk show – crisply and clearly.

Adaptive air suspension is also provided as a standard feature, giving you a variety of settings and more flexibility when it comes to bumpier roads. Four zone automatic climate control is also standard, as is ambient lighting to help set the mood when driving in the dead of night. A third row of seats is also included – something people may not realize as it isn’t altogether common in this segment, and keyless entry and start are provided as standard too.

Audi Q7 2021-2022 Fuel Consumption

The manufacturer claimed fuel consumption for the Audi Q7 stands at a surprisingly reasonable 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres, which translates to 12.7 kilometres per litre. This is pretty impressive considering how large and bulky the Q7 is, and the fact that it packs a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine instead of one of the turbocharged powertrains that are designed to be more efficient. Still though, driving the Q7 hard will yield much worse fuel consumption as any form of forced induction multiplies the amount of fuel consumed as more air is forced into the engine.