Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
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Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 500 hp 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 500 hp 8A)
Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl 8A)
The 2020 Audi SQ7 is the high performance match of the Audi Q7, and is latest in the lineup of Audi SUVs.
The 2020 Audi SQ7 is the high performance match of the Audi Q7, and is latest in the lineup of Audi SUVs. This aggressive looking and powerful cousin of the Q7 mid size SUV made in Audi guardianship will prove to be one of the top names in the segment. The SQ7’s interior adds magical touches to interior of the Audi Q7 and with its prerequisite luxury and performance derivatives it's eager to take on the contenders.
Priced at $84,800, for the Premium Plus trim and $90,400 for the Prestige trim, the 2020 Audi SQ7 is expensive by nearly $30,000 dollars compared to the all-new 2020 Audi Q7, making it one of the most expensive choices for Audi lovers. The high asking price for this vehicle is justified though as it appoints major changes to the Q7 lineup, though the Premium Plus top trim isn’t valuable to be bought. Let’s find out more information about this powerful, high-performance SUV in the review below.
The all-new 2020 Audi SQ7 is only available in dual trim configuration and is priced at $84,400 for the base trim Premium Plus, and $90,400 for the top trim Prestige. However, the high price of the Prestige trim isn't really justified as it does not offer anything that enhances its outfit. You also get the same power and performance in both the trims.
Trims |
Premium Plus |
Prestige |
---|---|---|
MSRP |
$84,800 |
$90,400 |
Key Features |
500 HP 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 |
Equipped with the same features of Premium Plus, plus: |
All-Wheel Steering |
Adaptive cruise assist |
|
Audi Virtual Cockpit |
Head-up display |
|
Four-zone automatic climate control |
Audi active lane assist |
|
21-inch bi-color alloy wheels |
Power soft closing doors |
|
Black optic visual package |
Heated and ventilated front seats |
Which trim should you buy?
The price difference in trims is usually significant, however, it is not as great in the context of the Audi SQ7. The base model, Premium Plus begins well over at $80,000. For this reason, the better choice is spending extra and opting for the SQ7 Prestige, which offers many luxurious extra features that are not available in the base trim. It also opens up access to more options.
The new 2020 SQ7 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine which puts out 500 horsepower and a torque of 568 lb-ft similar to the two-row SQ8 SUV. All this power sounds like a lot, and it is.
The Audi SQ7 has the same engine found in the higher-performing RS Q8. The Quattro all-wheel drive is standard, as is an eight-speed automatic transmission. Gear changes are very swift and the SQ7 will pass slower traffic with ease whenever asked to do so.
Audi’s drive select system allows you to tailor throttle response via one of the six driving modes, with Dynamic offering sportier reactions when you are in the mood. Audi’s TFSI motor is a great choice for the SQ7 and feels more compatible with the sporty SUV.
Models |
Audi SQ7 |
BMW X5 M50i |
Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 |
Audi SQ8 |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$84,800 |
$82,150 |
$77,600 |
$89,000 |
Engine |
4.0 liter twin-turbo V-8 |
4.4 liter twin-turbo V-8 |
4.0 liter turbocharged V-8 |
4.0 liter twin-turbo V-8 |
Drivetrain |
AWD |
AWD |
AWD |
AWD |
Transmission |
8-speed Automatic |
8-speed Automatic |
9-speed Automatic |
8-speed Automatic |
Horsepower (hp @ rpm) |
500 @5500-6000 |
523 @ 5500 |
483 @ 5500 |
500 @ 5500-6000 |
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) |
568 @ 2000-2500 |
553 @ 2000 |
516 @ 2000 |
568 @ 2000-2500 |
The BMW X5 M50i has the most power off the chart with a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine and a horsepower of 523, while the SQ7 has more torque with a decent horsepower. However, the X5’s ride isn’t quite as plush as the Audi SQ7. The GLE 580 has decent specs however, falls short in performance. The SQ8 has similar specs to the SQ7 however, is priced more than the latter.
The 2020 Audi SQ7, which is powered by a powerful 4.0L twin-turbo V8 and equipped with 8-speed automatic transmission is claimed to go from 0-60 MPH in a time of 4.3 seconds. It has a top speed of 155 MPH and it can complete a quarter-mile run in 12.9 seconds.
Models |
Audi SQ7 |
BMW X5 M50i |
Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 |
Audi SQ8 |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH (seconds) |
4.3 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
4.3 |
Quarter-mile (seconds) |
12.4 |
12.4 |
12.9 |
12.4 |
Top-speed (MPH) |
155 |
155 |
155 |
155 |
Engine |
4.0 liter twin-turbo V-8 |
4.4 liter twin-turbo V-8 |
4.0 liter turbocharged V-8 |
4.0 liter twin-turbo V-8 |
Emissions (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15k mi/yr) |
10.5 |
10.0 |
9.4 |
10.5 |
The BMW X5 has the best acceleration in this segment. The Audi SQ7 and SQ8 also come close to the X5 however, just fall short by a short margin. The Mercedes GLE 580 has the least amount of emissions.
Although the SQ7 is capable of keeping up with many sports cars, it’s still a seven-seater SUV that needs to remain comfortable for a family. In comfort mode, it’s a well-mannered and refined cruiser. Noise suppression is also top-notch. Using the Audi drive select system it is possible to switch from multiple driving modes, including individuals, which allows greater control steering, throttle, and transmission responses.
The standard All-wheel drive is welcome at lower speeds, though, reducing the turning circle and maneuverability around town. But this is a car that needs space to do its best work when the V8 can be used as intended.
The Audi SQ7 is a heavy vehicle with a curb weight of 5291 lbs and needs a lot of resistance to bring it to an instant halt. The brakes are upgraded in order to handle all the excessive speed and power. Brakes are big and strong and give decent feedback and shrug speed in a jiffy.
There is a limited amount of nose dive and the car maintains a good composure under emergency and heavy braking. The brake rotor dimensions are not disclosed by Audi.
Models |
Audi SQ7 |
BMW X5 M50i |
Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 |
Audi SQ8 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Rotors: Front (inches) |
N/A |
N/A |
14.8 |
N/A |
Brake Rotors: Rear (inches) |
N/A |
N/A |
13.6 |
N/A |
Curb Weight (lbs) |
5291 |
5260 |
5004 |
5159 |
60-0 (feet) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
All the vehicles have a decent braking performance. The SQ7 is the heaviest vehicle in this segment followed by the BMW X5 and SQ8.
The new 2020 Audi SQ7, equipped with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine has a fuel tank capacity of 22.5 gallons for the Premium Plus trim. The SQ7 is predictably heavy at the pumps with EPA rated economy figures of 15 mpg for city, 21 mpg for highway, and 17 mpg for combined cycles which is about as thirsty as you would expect for a V-8. The Audi SQ7 should manage to provide a combined range of about 383 miles which is considered to be decent for a luxury SUV.
Models |
Audi SQ7 |
BMW X5 M50i |
Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 |
Audi SQ8 |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG(City) |
15 |
16 |
17 |
15 |
MPG(Highway) |
21 |
22 |
21 |
21 |
MPG(Combined) |
17 |
18 |
19 |
17 |
Fuel Capacity(Gallons) |
22.5 |
21.9 |
22.5 |
22.5 |
Range(City/Highway/Combined, in miles) |
383/450/383 |
350/482/394 |
382.5/472.5/387 |
383/450/383 |
The Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 and BMW X5M50i offer a better MPG compared to others. The Audi SQ7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 have more fuel capacity than others. The Audi SQ8 has the least tank capacity. But we cannot confirm the figures of the Audi SQ7 and Audi SQ8 because there were no actual tests conducted.
The new 2020 Audi SQ7 has a similar interior as the Q7, however, with its own special touches including sportier seats with different leather trim. The SQ7 has standard equipment of third-row seats the same as the Q7. The Audi Q7 is a seven-passenger family hauler.Â
The cargo space is the same as it is seen in the Q7 however, lesser when compared to its competitor SUVs in the same segment. If we drop the third-row seats along with the second-row chairs the SQ7 will likely hold the same 25 carry-on suitcases we were able to fit in the regular Q7.Â
Based on the Q8, the SQ7 features a continuous air-vent strip at the top of the dashboard, while the lower section is finished in gloss black, matching the wide infotainment system when it's turned off. The infotainment display is now placed in the center stack, while on the previous model, it was placed atop the dash. The color screen looks gorgeous, as does Audi’s 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, however, it takes time to get familiar with the layout.
The seats are upholstered in high-quality Valcona leather and offer eight-way power-adjustment in front. The SQ7 may offer seating for seven in three rows, however, the passengers relegated to the third row won’t be pleased by the limited and congested room back there. Children can fit in perfectly, however, adults need leg-room. The positive point is that the SQ7’s fairly blocky proportions are beneficial to the visibility of the driver.
Models |
Audi SQ7 |
BMW X5 M50i |
Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 |
Audi SQ8 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
7 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front row (Head-room/ Shoulder-room/ Leg-room, in inches) |
39.9/59.5 /41.7 |
40.8/60/39.8 |
40.5/59.3/40.3 |
37.1/59.5/41.6 |
Rear row (Head-room/Shoulder-room/Leg-room, in inches) |
38.8/58.5/38.8 |
38.7/58.1/37.4 |
39.6/58.3/40.9 |
38.1/58.5/40.2 |
Trunk capacity (Cubic feet) |
30.5 |
33.9 |
33.3 |
28.6 |
The Audi SQ7 provides decent trunk capacity however, its lesser than the BMW X5 M50i and the Mercedes-Benz GLE 580. The BMW X5 M50i has the most trunk capacity. The Audi SQ8 has the lowest trunk capacity off the chart. All of the cars provide decent room inside to sit comfortably. But, the Audi SQ7 has seven seats so it can fit more passengers.
The new 2021 Audi SQ7 will have the same touchscreen infotainment as before. It has a 12.3 inch LCD display for Audi’s virtual cockpit ahead of the driver. It comes with two visual modes and works as well as it ever has. The center console has an MMI touch response system that consists of a 10.1-inch upper screen and an 8.6 inch lower screen.Â
Both trims have MMI navigation with natural voice controls. It comes with HD Radio along with SiriusXM with a 90-day all-access trial subscription. It has a front/rear USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Integration come installed along with 19 speakers and a 15 channel amplifier. And the Prestige trim has an advanced 3D sound system with 23 speaker Bang & Olufsen. The sound system is absolutely incredible and is certainly a good add-on.
The SQ7 has benefitted from the updates of the facelifting of the Q7 range in 2020. To differentiate the SQ7 from the less powerful models, Audi has added a host of S-specific styling features. The single-frame grille which is the signature grille of Audi is hard to miss and it is complemented by standard matrix-design LED headlights.
Aluminum -optic mirror housings also make an appearance, and those mirrors are both heated and power folded. 21-inch alloy wheels are present in both the SQ7 trims, as well as the magnificent S-specific squad tailpipes. A power tailgate is a must-have for a family SUV and comes as standard.
Models |
Audi SQ7 |
BMW X5 M50i |
Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 |
Audi SQ8 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
5291 |
5260 |
5004 |
5159 |
Length (inches) |
199.6 |
194.3 |
194.3 |
196.6 |
Width (inches) |
77.5 |
78.9 |
76.7 |
78.5 |
Height (inches) |
68.5 |
68.7 |
70.4 |
67.2 |
Ground clearance (inches) |
8.03 |
8.3 |
7.1 |
5.8 |
Wheelbase (inches) |
117.9 |
117.1 |
117.9 |
117.9 |
The Audi SQ7 provides the highest ground clearance off the chart and the Audi SQ8 has the lowest ground clearance. The Audi is the longest vehicle compared to its rivals with a length of 199.6 inches. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 beats everyone on the chart when it comes to height. The Audi SQ7 has the most curb weight and Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 has the least curb weight. The BMW X5 M50i has the most ground clearance among all.
The 2020 SQ7 hasn’t been fully tested by the NHTSA. But it received a four-star rating for the rollover test. And it is expected to score remarkable ratings for further tests. Some of the notable safety features in the SQ7 are:
The Audi SQ7 and BMW X5 M50i are tough contenders in this segment. The BMW has a slightly bigger engine and it has better performance and acceleration. The X5 M50i is slightly cheaper than the SQ7. But, if you want a complete all-rounder which can reach high speeds and also give comfortable and soothing driving experience with larger seating capacity then the Audi SQ7 is a good option.
The GLE and SQ7 have similar engines and features. But the SQ7 produces more horsepower and torque. The GLE is priced less than the SQ7 and it is a very durable vehicle. The SQ7 has more seating capacity and provides many premium features. Both are really good vehicles in this segment however, the SQ7 is slightly better than the GLE 580.
The SQ7 and SQ8 are practically twins with the same engines and features. The only difference between them is the price. The SQ7 is cheaper than the SQ8 and it has more space and seating capacity. If you want more room at a lesser price then you should choose the SQ7.
The mid-tier performance models of Audi have often been criticized for being too sterile, like the S5 coupe. But the exact blend of pace and refinement has worked particularly well with the new SQ7. It effortlessly plays the role of a cargo hauler and family vehicle however, extra power and character of the V-8 feel like a big step up from the V-6 powered Q7.
We do feel that the updated infotainment might be a bit tricky and it has lost a level of friendly usability, however, other than that the SQ7 is a great effort by Audi. But other than that the SQ7 is a great effort by Audi.