LOOKS

The 2025 Audi SQ7 features beautiful wheels, high-tech lighting, and a bold grille. All in all, it’s an attractive and sporty look.

There are slight changes to the 2025 model’s design, primarily in the front and rear bumpers, and upgraded LED lighting.

My test vehicle featured a Chili Red Metallic exterior paint color, and 21-inch 5-double-spoke wheels with all-season tires. Wheel sizes range from 19 to 22 inches.

The SQ7 also features a power tailgate, aluminum roof rails, Matrix-design LED headlights with high beam assist, and a panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade. As usual with Audi vehicles, the overall design is sleek and attractive, but not overly gaudy.

Moving inside the SQ7, the vehicle is on par with the best luxury brands in terms of quality of comfort and intricate stitching. There are soft materials on the doors, carbon fiber in the center console, a sleek dashboard design, and adjustable interior lighting. High-quality materials are found throughout the vehicle, with nothing looking or feeling cheap.

You can lower the SQ7’s third row via a button in the back, or a separate button accessible from the second row. It’s a versatile family vehicle just like the Q7, just a lot more powerful.

The SQ7 features seating for 7 people; but the third row is a bit cramped and best left for small children. On the plus side, the Valcona leather seats throughout the vehicle felt comfortable even on longer trips. They were also very well-designed, with my test vehicle having black seats with intricate red diamond stitching.

The front seats also offer a massage feature, which was among the best massage systems I’ve experienced in a luxury ride. It’s highly adjustable (with options such as Wave, Pulse. Stretch, Relaxation, Back, Shoulder, Activation, Revitalization). The massage function does its job deliberately and is truly relaxing.

Other interior features include:
— Four-zone automatic climate control
— Heated, auto-dimming, power-folding exterior mirrors with memory
— LED interior lighting
— Power adjustable front seats and lumbar with driver memory
— Power-folding third row (includes LATCH system for all 2nd and 3rd row seats)
— Three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, heated, with shift paddles
— Red contrast stitch on steering wheel, shift lever boot, door armrests, center console side

An option luxury package extends the leather package to the dashboard, doors and armrests. And the Prestige package features the massaging seats, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, memory function for front passenger seat, and sunshades for rear door side windows and tailgate.

The design of the tech setup is attractive and well laid out, but unfortunately not so user-friendly (more on that later). 

Cargo space comes in at 14.2 cubic feet with all three rows up, and grows to nearly 70 cubic feet with the back two rows folded down — about average for an SUV this size.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

Power is the name of the game in the SQ7, which comes equipped with a mighty engine.

It is powered by a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8, which is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The output numbers clock in at 500 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. (Note: By comparison, the standard Audi Q7 maxes out at 335 horsepower)

The SQ7 also features Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system, and an adaptive sport-tuned air suspension to enhance the ride quality and lessen the impact of bumpy roads. Road noise is kept out of the SQ7 by dual-pane windows.

This is one of the most powerful Audi power plants, and you will both hear and feel the power as you are driving. You can enjoy the growl, as the SQ7 sounds the way a powerful vehicle should sound.

It’s no surprise with these specs that the SQ7 can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds — a truly impressive number considering the size of the SQ7. And if you ever want to visit a racetrack, the SQ7 can reach a maximum of 155 mph. The SQ7 also features active roll stabilization and a Sport rear differential.

The SQ7 delivers a smooth ride for the family, while still being powerful and responsive enough for a fun weekend getaway. It’s honestly the most fun I’ve had driving an SUV in quite a while.

The SQ7 is nimble on twisty roads and brakes instantly. You will love driving the SQ7, and will want to take the long way home and enjoy the curves of the road while enjoying the massaging seats.

This is the rare vehicle that will appease both driving enthusiasts and those seeking a more family-friendly vehicle option.

Drive modes in the SQ7 include: Offroad, Allroad, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual. Towing is also impressive, with the ability to pull up to 7,700 pounds.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

The controls in the 2025 Audi SQ7’s infotainment setup are heavily focused on touch controls as opposed to physical buttons.

There are two screens in the center, one on top for entertainment and one below for climate controls.|

The touchscreen controls require heavy pushing to work, which was a bother at times. Some controls, like the temperature, can be slid up and down without a heavy push, but didn't always work as well as I would have liked. If you prefer physical controls in your tech system, you're basically out of luck other than the volume dial.

Voice commands are recognized accurately by the vehicle, which will ease concerns of people unhappy with the physical controls.

The Navigation system works well, a wireless phone charging pad is included in the center console, and the optional Bang & Olufsen premium sound system delivers tremendous sound quality (but is an expensive addition). 

The SQ7 features a long list of helpful safety features. It pulls you back into your lane if you’re starting to drift, offers an easy-to-use self-driving system, will adjust cruise control speed to match the vehicle in front of you, and offers a variety of camera views including one that lets you see an overhead/360-degree view around the SQ7.

Key safety features include:
— Adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance
— Eight airbags
— Anti-lock Braking with Brake Assist
— Tire Pressure Monitoring System
— Front and rear parking sensors with surround view cameras
— Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking
— Child safety locks for rear doors
— LATCH system for child seats
— Lane Departure Warning 
— Blind Spot Warning
— Rear Cross Traffic Warning

Upgrading to the Prestige trim also gets you: Remote Park Assist Plus, Head-up display and traffic sign recognition.

Another option is Night Vision Assistant, which adds an infrared camera to the grille for better object detection at extended distances.

MPG

Official fuel mileage numbers on the SQ7 are 15 city/21 highway/17 combined. In my real-world testing, I averaged 13 miles per gallon, but was driving mostly in the less-efficient Dynamic mode.

If we’re being honest, this type of vehicle is not one you buy for fuel economy. It’s about performance and enjoying your time behind the wheel, so this will most likely not be a deal-breaker.

Compared to rivals in the luxury performance SUV category, such as the BMW X7 M60i and Mercedes-Benz GLS 580, the listed numbers are actually among the best available.
 

PRICE

Getting behind the wheel of a 2025 Audi SQ7 is not an inexpensive endeavor.

The SQ7 I tested was priced just under $120,000 after options, and its base price starts about $91K. Two trim levels are offered: Premium Plus and Prestige, and they’re close enough in price where upgrading to Prestige is probably the wise decision. Just be careful with options, which can jack up the price quickly.

Pricing is not for the faint of heart or those light in the wallet. But if you can afford it, you will see and feel where that money is going. It’s a high-class, powerful ride.

There are few vehicles that truly match up to the SQ7, but those that do from luxury competitors such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz start out in the low $100K range, which is even more expensive.

Warranty coverage is adequate, including:
— 4-year/50,000-mile new vehicle warranty
— 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty
— 12-year limited warranty against corrosion protection
— 4-year roadside assistance coverage

The only thing missing is coverage for scheduled maintenance.

BOTTOM LINE

The 2025 Audi SQ7 combines a well-designed three-row SUV with a killer hot rod engine. 

It’s fast, powerful, luxurious, high-tech, and versatile at the same time — a rare combination that’s a true winner if you can afford a six-figure price tag.

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