The Audi Q7 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured by the German company Audi. The Q7 is a three-row seven-seat car that was introduced in 2005.
The 2021 Q7 is offered in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The performance-oriented SQ7 is only available in Premium Plus and Prestige trims. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard.
What’s new?
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The 2021 Q7 is almost similar to the 2020 model. Notable changes on the 2021 Q7 include shuffling a few options and packages and the addition of driver assistance features such as rear cross-traffic alert and blind spot monitoring to the standard features list.
Here we will take a look at the 5 pros and 5 cons of the 2021 Audi Q8 in trying to share some insights so as assist you in making some informed decisions when the time arrives that you consider buying a car and the Q7 happens to be one of the cars you consider. Please follow through.
5 Pros
Improved Standard Safety Tech
The NHTSA gave the 2021 Q7 a 5 out of 5 stars rating in the side crash test and 4 stars in the rollover test while the IIHS gave it its highest rating of ‘Good’ in all of its six crash tests and the top rating of ‘Superior’ for its standard front collision avoidance systems.
All these accomplishments are a result of build quality and the number of advanced passive and active safety features that the Q7 possesses. Standard advanced safety features found in the 2021 Q7 include Audi Pre Sense Front, Audi Pre Sense Basic, Audi Side Assist, Audi Pre Sense Rear, Lane departure warning, Rain-sensing windshield wipers, Rearview Camera, Front and rear parking sensors, and Automatic high-beam headlights.
Available advanced safety features: Traffic sign recognition, Night vision camera, Lane keep assist, Intersection assist, Adaptive cruise control, and Surround-view parking camera system.
Intuitive Dual Touchscreens
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The 2021 Q7 comes fitted with an MMI infotainment system with two (a 10.1-inch upper touch screen and an 8.6-inch lower) responsive touchscreen displays as standard. Both displays use haptic feedback and audio signals that signify that your selections were logged, although some of its submenus are buried deep down. Some other standard features in the system include Audi‘s Virtual Cockpit, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 10-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, USB ports, a navigation system, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and HD Radio.
Uncluttered Standard Virtual Cockpit
The 2021 Q7 comes with an Audi Virtual Cockpit as standard replacing the traditional instrument cluster. This digital car information display displays relevant car-related information such as navigation, exterior temperature, vehicle information, audio settings, and more. The Virtual Cockpit setup has reduced the need to look away from the road while driving due to its multiple functions. The sleek and uncluttered system has earned positive reviews from critics.
Powerful Engines
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The 2021 Q7 is a well-built luxury midsize SUV with good handling and a well-balanced ride. It provides a good balance of agility and comfort, while also boasting an impressive lineup of muscular engines, most notably the one fitted in the performance-oriented Audi SQ7.
It comes fitted with one of three brawny engines paired to a standard slick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.
The first one is the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol with 248 hp commonly used in the Premium and Premium Plus trims, followed by the second one, a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 petrol paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid (MHEV) system with 335 hp which is standard on the Prestige trim, and lastly the third, the range-topping twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 petrol with 500 hp found on the SQ7 performance-oriented model. There are also optional turbocharged 3.0-liter and 4.0-liter, and twin-turbo 4.0-liter diesel engines with power ranging between 215 hp and 429 hp.
The base turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine has enough zeal to satisfy most buyers, but if you want more heart-racing fun, then an upgrade will do for you. The turbocharged V6 has sufficient power, it allows you to perform high-speed maneuvers with assurance, and the powerful V8 enables the SQ7 to accelerate from 0 to 97 kph in 4.3 seconds, according to Audi.
Lavish Cabin
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The 2021 Q7’s interior best describes its lap of luxury. Standard amenities such as leather upholstery, real wood trim, and three (two infotainment touchscreens and a digital instrument cluster) digital screens that balance tech and texture. Add to that a touch of high-smudge and high-gloss piano black plastic here and there, and the overall cabin feel reflects lavishness.
Other opulent features include heated and cooled eight-way power-adjustable Valcona leather front seats with power lumbar support. Available features include upgraded leather upholstery, heated steering wheel, ventilated and massaging front seats, heated second-row seats, 12- or 18-way power-adjustable front seats, a four-zone automatic climate control, and an Alcantara headliner.
5 Cons
Inefficient Engine
The 2021 Q7 comes fitted with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol as standard. This engine has an EPA estimated rating of 8 km/l in the city and 9.8 km/l on the highway. These ratings are very poor, some competitors with V6 engines, such as the BMW X5 with all-wheel-drive perform even better.
Lack Of Usable Space
Like many cars, the 2021 Q7 comes equipped with several interior storage options such as a glove box, front and rear door pockets, cup holders in three rows, a center tray, and a deep bin. But where Audi got it all wrong is the size of these facilities is very small. For example, if you have large bottles or a tablet while all seats are occupied you’ll have difficulty handling them! So the lack of usable space for storage is what this could’ve done better.
Limited Third Row
The 2021 Q7 is a three-row seven-seat luxury crossover SUV. The front row is spacious, supportive, and comfortable with enough headroom and legroom. The second-row seats have enough space to accommodate most adults comfortably, but they lack bolstering, which means occupants may slide around when the Q7 takes a turn. The third row is so limited, Adults can fit in, but only for short trips, but kids may be fine. So if you plan to regularly ferry adults around then the Q7 is not a great choice.
Access To The Third Row Is Awkward
The third-row seats can be accessed via the 35/30/35 split second-row seats. Ascending toward that third row can be cumbersome, as it’s attained by navigating your way via one of the second-row seats. And the larger you are the more difficult it is due to the narrowness of the path.
Modest Cargo Space
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This 2021 Audi Q7 has a meager 402 liters of cargo space behind the third row, 1011 liters with the third-row folded flat, and a maximum of 1970 liters with both the second and third rows folded flat. These figures are below average in the class, compared to other two- and three-row luxury SUVs.
Conclusion
The 2021 Audi Q7 is a balanced midsize luxury SUV with a yielding ride, jolly handling, and potent engine options, especially the one fitted in the SQ7. The seats are comfortable, and the cabin is lavish. What lets down this 2021 Q7 is its substandard cargo space, lack of usable interior space, and fuel efficency.
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Written by: Samuel H. Mponezya
