Years after it first dropped on the scene, the Audi Q7 remains one of the flagship SUVs of the company. Audi’s 7-seater has more than held its own in the premium SUV segment, acting as a symbol of cutting-edge technology, versatility, and performance.
However, the luxury SUV sector is fiercely competitive. The Q7 has the likes of the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE to deal with. So, to stay in the fight for dominance (and possibly win it), Audi gave the Q7 yet another upgrade with the 2024 Audi Q7 Facelift.
Have they done enough to trump the competitors? Does the updated version make the Q7 a complete premium SUV in the segment? We’re about to go looking for answers to these questions. You want them, too? Hop on, then, and let’s go for a ride!
What’s New On The Outside AND Inside?
Our first stop will be to find out what’s fresh in the facelift! Of course, we don’t judge a book by its cover and a car by its exterior, but we believe it’ll be better to start from the outside before we step in, right?
2024 Audi Q7 Facelift Exterior Upgrades
The new Audi Q7 version ditches the corporate style for a fiery first impression with a larger and revamped octagonal single-frame grille with vertical chrome slats.
The signature 2D Audi rings on the front and rear have also been redesigned to give it a contemporary feel.
The front and rear bumpers have also been tweaked, and they complement the larger air intakes to give the new Audi Q7 a sportier look.
This new iteration of the Audi Q7 introduces upsized wheels at 20 inches (up from the previous 19 inches). However, the lines and silhouette remain the same.
The brand’s signature Matrix LED headlights in the facelifted Audi Q7 are even more intricate in design and boast high-res road illumination. Its adaptive light distribution helps reduce glare for approaching drivers (so here’s a brownie point for safety, too).
At the rear, LED taillamps have gotten a wee bit sleeker and come with dynamic turn indicators.
2024 Audi Q7 Facelift Interior Upgrades
The facelifted 2024 Audi Q7 doesn’t have a lot of surprises to offer. However, space won’t be a problem with the new Audi Q7, featuring super-comfy 2nd row seats and electrically foldable 3rd seats.
The open-pore wood panel on the door pads and the dashboard is a pleasant surprise, though, with its dark elegance. It perfectly contrasts the sporty exterior of his new Q7 iteration.
When it comes to quality, the cabin of the facelifted Audi Q7 is dripping with class. But that’s something we’ve come to expect from and love about the Q7, haven’t we?
It also comes with height-adjustable front seats and a panoramic sunroof that comfortably accommodates those in the rear seats.
The New Audi Q7 Engine and Performance
Located under the new Audi Q7 bonnet is the powerful 3.0-litre 340hp turbo-petrol V6 engine.
The smooth and seamless 8-speed automatic gearbox complements the V6 engine and makes driving this luxury SUV an exhilarating experience.
The gearbox and engine together make the Audi Q7 a speedy machine, in spite of it being a full-sized premium SUV.
Security, Infotainment, and Convenience: How Does The New Audi Q7 Fare?
Safety First
First, the 2024 Audi Q7 Facelift boasts a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
It comes with 8 airbags, including front, side, and curtain airbags. Plus, it has a Park Assist feature with a 360-degree cam that gives the driver a comprehensive view of parking maneuvers.
The new Audi Q7’s active lane assist monitors lane markings to provide corrective inputs to help drivers avoid unintentional lane departures.
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) alerts drivers about any deviations in tire pressure to prevent mishandling caused by tire blowouts.
Convenience and Comfort
The new Audi Q7 comes with a four-zone automatic climate control system. This allows personalized temperature for the driver, front passengers, and rear passengers.
The technology variant also comes with adaptive windscreen wipers that allow crystal clear visibility.
Infotainment Features
Powered by 19 speakers and a subwoofer, the Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system in the facelifted Audi Q7 promises a concert-like sound experience.
The added two rear USB ports mean that the driver and the passengers keep their devices (and their spirits) charged up throughout the drive.
Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus- a 31.24 cm (12.3-inch) fully digital instrument cluster that provides an intuitive, high-resolution display of essential driving information. It has customizable layouts- Classic, Dynamic and sport view, allowing drivers to switch between different display modes based on their preferences.
Both the 10.1-inch upper touchscreen for navigation and entertainment and the 8.6-inch lower touchscreen dedicated to climate and comfort controls enable intuitive operation for haptic feedback.
Audi Smartphone Interface allows for a seamless integration of your smartphone’s functionality with the Audi Q7’s infotainment system, making it easier and safer to access certain mobile applications while driving.
How Does It Feel On The Steering Wheel?
Powered by a 3.0 L V6 Engine and an 8-speed gearbox, the facelifted Audi Q7 goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, making it a fun machine to drive (and we mean ‘really’ drive with a foot on the accelerator).
The Audi Q7 comes equipped with Audi Drive Select, offering seven distinct driving modes. This system allows you to adjust the suspension, throttle response, steering, and drivetrain settings to suit different driving conditions. Whether you’re navigating city streets, highways, or rugged terrains, the Q7 adapts effortlessly.
The cruise control in the new Audi Q7 allows drivers to maintain the pace with swagger and safety, thanks to the speed limiter (which is adjustable).
The facelifted Audi Q7 also comes with an air suspension that promises (and delivers) a comfortable ride. Whether you’re gliding over city roads, cruising on highways, or tackling rough terrains, this intelligent system adjusts the suspension height and damping to provide the best possible driving experience.
Pitting The 2024 Audi Q7 Facelift Against Its Competitors
When it comes to pricing, the 2024 Audi Q7 Facelift Premium Plus model starts at ₹88.70 lakh, while the Technology Model reaches up to ₹97.85 lakh.
The new Audi Q7 is a great option in the 7-seater Luxury SUV segment, priced around and under 1 Crore, with competitors like the BMW X5 and Marcedes-Benz GLE being slightly more expensive, in spite of the fact that they’re both essentially 5-seaters.
The new Audi Q7 offers just one petrol engine option, while competitors like the BMW X5 offer diesel options as well.
The diesel and plug-in hybrid option mean that the BMW X5 boasts a significantly better fuel economy as compared to the petrol-only Audi Q7.
When compared to the Mercedes–Benz GLE, the new Audi Q7 does not offer ventilated seats while the former does.
The Matrix LED headlights of the new Audi Q7 comfortably defeat the GLE and X5’s LED systems.
While the Mercedes–Benz GLE comes with Active Brake Assist and Blind Spot Detection, Audi’s Q7 misses both.
Despite its few shortcomings, the new Audi Q7 manages to strike a balance between agility and comfort in its price range of around 1 Crore.
While the BMW X5 boasts its sporty feel in drive, the Mercedes-Benz GLE focuses more on comfort, giving away some of the agility in the process.
And that’s where the 2024 Audi Q7 Facelift packs a punch and sticks to the ‘all-rounder premium SUV’ tag that the Q7 is already known for (especially with its competitive pricing).
What Does The New Audi Q7 Miss Out On?
The new Audi Q7 masterfully balances handling and comfort, bringing it closer to being the perfect premium SUV. However, the new Q7 iteration leaves a lot to be desired.
The lack of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features like cross-traffic alert, brake assist, blind spot detection, highway assist with semi-autonomous drive mode, and reversing assistant.
For those looking for a surprise factor (or something new), the new Audi Q7 interior is quite predictable, taking a leaf out of the books of previous Audi models.
The Q7 does not come with ventilated seats, which makes it a problematic drive in hot and humid conditions.
Absence of a head-up display is a missed opportunity.
Premium Plus vs. Technology Variant: Which One to Choose?
The Premium Plus variant is well-equipped with all the essentials, but the Technology variant offers additional luxury and safety features like:
Park Assist Plus with 360-degree camera
Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound System (19 speakers, 730W output)
Air Ionizer and Aromatization for a more premium in-cabin feel
Adaptive windscreen wipers with integrated washer nozzles
Comfort key with Sensor based boot-lid control
If you want the best-in-class experience, the Technology variant is worth the extra cost. However, if you’re looking for a more value-for-money luxury SUV, the Premium Plus variant still offers an incredible package.
2024 Audi Q7 Facelift: The Final Verdict
Just like we always say, the final verdict is subjective and depends on the preferences of every other driver. But we can go back to the question we asked ourselves at the beginning of this article. Does the facelifted Audi Q7 trump its top competitors?
Well, the new Audi Q7 is an appetizing deal in the 1 Crore price range, especially for those looking for a perfect balance between power, performance, comfort, and entertainment. There are areas where the Mercedes-Benz GLE or the BMW X5 might overtake the new Q7 and vice versa.
But does the facelifted Audi Q7 hold its ground strongly in the competition against the other big boys? Well, we just have to say a HUGE YES to that!