2022 Audi SQ7

Audi builds some of the best premium SUVs in the business, and it makes up the majority of its sales in the US. Ever since the launch of its SQ range, people can't seem to get enough of these performance-orientated SUVs, and the Audi SQ7 represents one of the best-balanced luxury SUVs in its class. Its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine produces 500 horsepower, making it more than powerful enough to stick with rapid rivals such as the BMW X5 M50i and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53. As per Audi's usual standards, the interior is exquisite, and the level of tech is impressive. What gets us about this SUV is just how well-rounded it is: it's practical, powerful, fun to drive, and is brimming with advanced tech. The Audi isn't perfect, though. The third row is cramped and, at $88,500, it's more expensive than both of those aforementioned competitors.

This midsize Audi SQ7 SUV might wear sporty S badges, but it's still predominantly understated, and the ordinary person wouldn't be able to tell that it packs a 500-hp punch. The 2022 SQ7 features matrix-design LED headlights, LED taillights with dynamic indicators, 21-inch five-twin-spoke-V-design, bi-color wheels wrapped in 285/40 R21 all-season tires, aluminum-optic roof rails, auto-dimming, electrically adjustable, power-folding, heated exterior mirrors with a memory function, and a power panoramic sunroof. Quad exhaust tailpipes are visible at the back.

The Prestige model adds dual-pane acoustic glass for the side windows, and in this trim, you can give your headlights the Audi laser light treatment via an optional package. The available Black Optic package adds exterior features such as 21-inch black wheels, and black highlights on the mirror housings, door blades, grille, roof rails, front and rear bumpers, and window surrounds. Red brake calipers are available across the range.

Classified as a midsize crossover SUV, the 2022 Audi SQ7 measures just under 200 inches in length at 199.6 inches, and is 87.1 inches wide when you include the wing mirrors (77.6 inches without the mirrors). Those dimensions make it bigger than a BMW X5. The executive bruiser stands 68.5 inches in height and has a wheelbase of 118 inches. The SQ7 has a front and rear track width of 65.5 inches.

The premium luxury SUV does little to keep the weight down, and thanks to a plush interior, big engine, and its size in general, the SQ7 tips the scale at a hefty 5,291 pounds.

The beautiful German brute is offered in seven tasteful exterior paint colors which all cost $595, and if that's not enough, $4,800 buys entry to the Audi exclusive range of colors. For the majority, the available choices are sufficient and include metallics named Barrel Brown, Florett Silver, Glacier White, Matador Red, Mythos Black, Navarra Blue, and Daytona Gray Pearl. If we were parking a brand new SQ7 in our garage, we'd get one in Daytona Gray pearl, as the color suits a stealthy, menacing look. This color works especially well with the optional Black optic package.

All the elements are here to create an explosive performance SUV. You get a V8 engine with a couple of turbos strapped to it, Audi's famous quattro AWD system, and 500 horses to unleash. Sure, there are SUVs out there that will run away from the SQ7, and the official 0-60 mph of 4.3 seconds doesn't sound that impressive by today's standards, but in the real world where road conditions are less than perfect, this Audi squats down and launches out of the blocks like a bat out of hell. Independent testing has shown that the SQ7's performance specs are even better; it can hit 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds under the right conditions, making it as quick as a 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10. Let's just appreciate the fact that this is a seven-seater family SUV packed with leather, power seats, and all sorts of other nice-to-haves. Keep your foot on the loud pedal, and you'll very quickly reach a limited top speed of 130 mph, although a limited top speed of 155 mph is also available if you opt for summer tires. The SQ7 has a towing capacity of 7,700 lbs, which is quite impressive.

How do you make any large SUV go fast? You stuff a big V8 under the hood and throw a few turbos at it, of course. Turbocharged V8 engines mated to slick automatic transmissions, and an advanced AWD system seems to be the industry standard these days, with some also making use of some mild hybrid assistance. In the case of the 2022 SQ7, Audi has gone for its tried and tested twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, which is also used in the SQ8 SUV, and in a higher state of tune in the RS Q8. 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque are sent to all four wheels via Audi's quattro AWD system and a slick eight-speed automatic transmission.

The beauty of this setup is that it delivers both ferocious performance and superb refinement. In and around the city, the SQ7 is as placid as any family SUV, but let it loose on an open road, and it pulls like a German freight train. The eight-speed automatic transmission that we know so well does an excellent job in the SQ7 and comes with few faults. It might not be the quickest or fastest around, but the V8 engine under the hood of the SQ7 will leave the majority of drivers feeling more than satisfied.

Modern performance SUVs have come far in terms of how they drive and handle, and Audi has achieved excellence in how the SQ7 is set up, even if it's no RS6 Avant through the corners. The chassis has been fitted with all the right ingredients to make it perform like a much smaller and much more traditionally athletic car; it features all-wheel steering and an electromechanical progressive steering system. A five-link independent suspension with adaptive air suspension is found in the front and back. All these advanced bits and bobs come together to deliver a ride that is supple and forgiving in town but lively and sharp when pushing a bit harder.

The Audi SQ7 quattro is amazingly responsive to quick direction changes despite weighing over 5,000 pounds and will show impressive grip no matter the condition of the road. Steering feedback isn't as sharp as you'd find in more traditional sports cars, but it offers seriously impressive handling when you consider what this vehicle was initially intended for. If you're really into driving, the top-spec SQ7 is offered with a $5,900 Sport Package which adds active roll stabilization and a quattro sport rear differential. To 90 percent of drivers, the effects of these added performance elements will be negligible, especially since the SQ7 will live the overwhelming majority of its life sticking to the speed limit, but if you happen to be on a track, it does make the SQ7 feel more nimble.

You can't have luxury, performance, and fuel economy simultaneously. Okay, maybe in an electric car, but when it comes to traditional ICE-powered luxury SUVs, you're going to have to sacrifice a bit of fuel economy in order to achieve a reasonable level of performance. According to the EPA, the twin-turbo 4.0-liter SQ7 will suck down 15/21/17 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles. That ain't thrifty. The 2022 Audi SQ7 is matched by the larger and heavier BMW X7 M50i, which returns the same consumption figures, however. The BMW X5 M50i is a bit better with figures of 16/22/18 mpg.

The SQ7's fuel tank can hold 22.5 gallons of gas, giving it a maximum range of around 382 miles.

Audi loves a clean and tech-filled interior, and the 2022 SQ7 offers precisely that. Digital displays dominate the dashboard, and there are very few buttons or knobs to be found in this cabin. The interior design is shared with the ordinary Q7, but the SQ7 adds a few sporty touches to set itself apart. Build quality is typically good, and the choice of materials is representative of a luxury vehicle at this price point. Small details such as the standard ambient LED lighting package and illuminated aluminum door sills with S badging make entering and exiting the SQ7 an occasion rather than an exercise. Speaking of which, ingress and egress is a fuss-free affair for both front and rear passengers.

The premium image and explosive performance of the 2022 Audi SQ7 are two big drawcards, but it is still an SUV after all, and people will be looking at how practical it is. In this sense, the SQ7 also scores big. With three rows of seating on offer, the SQ7 can seat seven people, and the first two rows are perfectly suited for even taller adults. Obviously, the third row can't match the 41.7 inches of legroom offered in the front row, and taller passengers should try and avoid longer trips when seated all the way in the back. This isn't a problem unique to the SQ7, though, and most rivals in the segment have the same issue of reserving the tight back seats for smaller humans. Space in the second row poses no issues for adults up to six-feet tall.

In keeping with its luxury image, both models come with Valcona leather seating in Arras Red with Anthracite stitching and a black dashboard, carpets, and headliner. This option can be switched out for Black with Rock Gray stitching or Rotor Gray with Anthracite stitching.

The cabin features premium touches such as Illuminated aluminum door sills with S badging, stainless steel pedals and footrest, and Carbon Vector inlays. The Executive Package can be added from the base model for more leather around the cabin, while the Luxury Package, available only to the top Prestige trim, adds luxury materials such as black Alcantara to the headliner and extends the leather upholstery to the center console, door armrests, and upper part of the instrument panel. High-gloss Gray Oak wood can replace the standard carbon inlays at no extra charge on either trim.

By offering three-row seating, the 2022 Audi SQ7 limits its cargo capacity, but treat it as a two-row car, and things look much better. Even with the power split-folding 50/50 third row in place, the SQ7 offers a decent 14.2 cubic feet, beating the 12.6 cubes in the Volvo XC90. Behind the split-folding 35/30/35 second-row, the Audi offers 35.7 cubes, which is nearly two cubes more than the BMW X5 offers. Behind the first row, you get a handy 69.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which is enough to fit a disassembled two-stroke racing kart and a few spares.

Inside the cabin, you get the usual small-item storage solutions. The center console offers storage for a phone and set of keys, there's a center console storage bin, a couple of cupholders, and a glove box in front. Door pockets are of a decent size front and back.

Audi likes to charge a premium price for optional extras but hasn't been stingy with the standard features on the 2022 SQ7. The base model comes fitted with a power panoramic sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, ambient LED interior lighting, a hands-free tailgate, heated front seats, and wireless phone charging. Prestige models add features such as a Contour/Ambient LED interior lighting package, sunshades for the rear door side windows and tailgate, heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats. These can be optionally equipped to the base model for $2,400. Prestige trims can add massage to the front seats.

Standard driver assistance features include Audi adaptive cruise assist with traffic jam assist and a top-view camera system with Virtual 360 view. Audi's pre sense front, basic, and rear are also standard, as is the Virtual Cockpit Plus, which features a 12.3-inch instrument cluster. The driver assist suite is bolstered with a head-up display and traffic sign recognition on the Prestige trim. Available only to the range-topper is night vision assist with thermal imagery.

The dashboard of the 2022 SQ7 is home to numerous digital displays as the automaker does away with most physical buttons. The infotainment system consists of two screens; an 8.6-inch lower screen, which takes care of climate controls, while the 10.1-inch top screen handles infotainment duties and everything else you'd expect. The system features navigation and voice control, Bluetooth streaming, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, as is a limited-time subscription to Audi connect services and SiriusXM.

Both trim levels come standard with a Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium sound system that sounds great when bumping Out Of My Head by 1991. An optional Bang and Olufsen 23-speaker system is also offered on the Prestige trim level for serious audiophiles.

The Audi Q7 family has faced its fair share of recalls, and J.D. Power gives it a below-average rating of 65/100 for quality and reliability. Over the years, the NHTSA has issued various recalls for the Audi Q7 range. The 2022 SQ7 was recalled for a rearview camera not displaying the image properly, while 2021 models have three additional issues, including a rear axle that may be misaligned, a seatbelt locking retractor malfunction, and an engine cylinder bore surface that may develop cracks.

Audi will back the SQ7 with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, a similar warranty for the drivetrain, and four years of roadside assistance.

The 2022 model has not been comprehensively crash-tested, but the NHTSA's safety review of the SQ7 for the rollover test returned a good result of four stars out of five. 2021 Q7s were additionally tested for side crash integrity by the authority and scored full marks in this category. In The IIHS' 2022 Audi SQ7 review, the SUV emerged with six scores of Good, although the headlights scored Poorly across all trims.

The SQ7 covers all the bases with an advanced airbag system (including rear side airbags, a feature not often equipped to even pricier models), traction and stability control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and a rear-view camera coming as standard. Driver assistance features on the base model include Audi adaptive cruise assist with traffic jam assist, Audi pre sense front, Audi pre sense basic and rear, a top-view camera system, and side assist with rear cross-traffic assist and vehicle exit warning. The Prestige trim adds a head-up display and traffic sign recognition, and has access to night vision assist with thermal imagery.

The SUV market has become such an important part of most manufacturers' product offering, and performance SUVs make up a significant part of that market share. Audi knows this all too well, which is why its family of Q cars continues to sell well. They're well balanced in terms of performance and luxury, and the SQ7 is one of the best examples of how far the modern SUV has come. Under the hood, this Audi packs a tremendous punch and should feel quick enough for the vast majority of public road users, but it's not the sheer speed that gets you; it's the way this brute drives. The SQ7 feels like a much smaller car and is still fun to drive, despite its size and weight. The interior is typically Audi - sleek and sophisticated with a mountain of displays and futuristic tech. The SQ7 is still a practical family car with three-row seating and decent trunk space. So it's fast, packed full of tech, fun to drive, and practical. It seems like we're onto a winner here.

The SQ7 is a large, high-performance German luxury SUV, so don't expect it to be cheap. The base Premium Plus has an MSRP of $88,500, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,195. Notably, Audi compels you to spend an additional $595 on one of the exterior colors as none of them are free. The Prestige trim level takes that price up to $93,500. Fully loaded, the 2022 Audi SQ7 can cost you close to $120k. Among other similar SUVs for sale, the BMW X5 M50i starts at a slightly more affordable $82,800.

Audi offers two trim levels for 2022. The Premium Plus and Prestige share the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 producing 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via a slick eight-speed automatic transmission.

Features on the Premium Plus trim include matrix-design LED headlights, 21-inch alloy wheels, and aluminum-optic roof rails. The interior gets a power panoramic sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control system, ambient LED interior lighting package, Valcona leather seats, wireless phone charging, and driver assistance systems such as Audi adaptive cruise assist with traffic jam assist, and a top view camera system. The infotainment system features two displays (10.1-inch upper, 8.6-inch lower), Audi's Virtual Cockpit system, navigation, voice control, Bluetooth streaming, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto integration, and a B&O 3D sound system.

The Prestige adds exterior features such as dual-pane acoustic glass for the side windows, while the interior features contour/ambient LED interior lighting, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, sunshades for the rear door side windows and tailgate, a head-up display, and traffic sign recognition.

Both trims come packed with standard features, so most new buyers will be happy buying a base car, but those who want something a little more special are offered a few interesting package deals. The Premium Plus can be purchased with the $1,300 Black Optic Package, which adds a 21-inch Audi Sport 10-spoke-star design, bi-color black wheels with 285/40 R21 all-season tires, and blacked-out exterior trim. The $2,400 Executive Package adds Prestige features such as contour LED interior lighting, more leather around the cabin, front-seat ventilation, and heated rear seats.

The Prestige is offered with the $1,250 Laser Headlights Package, which includes HD Matrix-design LED headlights with Audi laser light, LED daytime running lights and taillights, dynamic front and rear indicators with animation, and a headlight washing system. The $2,900 Luxury Package adds a black Alcantara headliner, extended leather, and front-seat massaging. There is also an available Sport Package for $5,900, which adds active roll stabilization, a sport rear differential, and red brake calipers. The top trim can also be specified with night vision assist which uses thermal imagery to make spotting hazards easier at night - it retails for $2,500. Lastly, the top-end 23-speaker B&O Advanced sound system can be added for $5,000.

The Audi SQ7's price differs by $5,000 between the two trims, so we'd go with the range-topping Prestige model. This SQ7 shares its 500-hp V8 engine with the base model but adds many notable features such as heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, a head-up display, and traffic sign recognition. We'd choose a nice metallic exterior paint, add the $2,900 Luxury Package, which throws a ton of leather and Alcantara at the cabin, and if you feel like going even faster, why not go for the Sport Package for $5,900? Without other options, you're looking at $104,090 all-in.

The Audi SQ8 is one of those weird coupe-style SUVs that are so popular with city-slicking accountants these days and is the largest of its type in the Audi stable. The SQ8 shares its twin-turbo V8 engine with the SQ7 and produces the same amount of power and torque. Both are supremely capable cruisers and feel as sharp in the bends. Interior quality and spec sheets are also similar, as are package options. The most significant difference here is practicality. The SQ7 offers more of it thanks to a third row of seats and a roofline that doesn't slope as much as the SQ8. If you're a family person with lots of kids, the SQ7 will be more suited to your needs. We do like the sleek look of the SQ8, though, despite it being a few thousand dollars more to buy at a starting price of $93,500.

BMW has always built natural athletes, even in SUV form, and the X5 range has a bit more heritage behind its name, but Audi has come a long way, and the SQ7 is now a solid rival to the superbly capable X5 M50i. This brawny BMW is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine with 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to sprint to 60 mph in a rapid 4.1 seconds. It might be more powerful, but the BMW is also slightly more fuel efficient. The Audi does offer more passenger space in the front and rear, but the BMW has more maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded. The interior of both cars is gorgeous and packed with the latest tech. With standard M-tuned suspension, the X5 M50i is a pleasure to drive, but on a daily basis, you can't go wrong with either of these SUVs. The choice here will boil down to what badge you'd want to see on the front grille.