Audi has long been a performance, technology, and style leader. But it's easy to overlook the brand's contribution to the SUV market. When it launched the brand's first-ever SUV in 2006, it introduced a three-row luxury SUV that focused more on performance, handling, and ride quality than the rugged body-on-frame SUVs of old.
Since then, this once-niche segment has since swelled to include family-friendly SUVs from just about every luxury automaker, with current rivals including the Mercedes-Benz GLE, Acura MDX, and INFINITI QX60. So I was excited to spend a week in the 2023 Audi Q7 55 Prestige, and see just how well the segment innovator stacks up.
2023 Audi Q7 55 Prestige Exterior
Even though the roofline needs to accommodate three rows of seating, the 2023 Audi Q7 still manages to pull off a sportier exterior design than many other mid-size SUVs. And while the 2020 redesign focused on the front and rear bumpers, exterior lighting, and wheels, these minor changes were all very effective in giving the facelifted Q7 an improved style. Even when parked next to much-newer offerings in the segment, it still looks relevant.
Up front, the Q7's style continues to be dominated by the massive hexagonal grille, but, in typical Audi fashion, it's the exterior lighting that really gives this SUV its visual punch. Since my tester was equipped with the $10,800 Prestige Package, it featured luxurious power soft-closing doors along with Audi's Matrix LED headlights. Not only do these headlights show off cool animations when locking and unlocking the Q7, but they also provide front and rear sequential turn signals. To complement its Carrara White paint job, this Q7 also had the $1,750 Black Optic Package, which upgraded to 21-inch wheels and gloss black exterior trim.
2023 Audi Q7 55 Prestige Interior
The cabin is where the refreshed Q7 truly shines. Here, Audi's third-gen MMI system is paired with a 10.1-inch infotainment display and an 8.6-inch screen for HVAC controls. Both touchscreen displays provide haptic feedback.
With its stunning resolution and processor speed, the technological highlights of the cabin are the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit, and the optional head-up display unit. Both are remarkably crisp and easy to operate, and the 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system sounded fantastic. Without a doubt, the high-tech cabin helps the 2023 Audi Q7 stand out from the sea of rivals, but it isn't just the gadgetry and fancy screens that makes this SUV so good.
I took a short road trip with my family in the Q7, and while normally my attention is paid to overall seat comfort and cabin noise, the one feature that stuck out to me on this trip was the Q7's four-zone climate control system. And there aren't just temperature settings for each zone either, as each zone gets its own fan speed, too!
Going back to the seats, yes they are incredibly supportive and comfortable, and while the front passengers enjoy heated and cooled seats, outboard second-row passengers get heated seats. One downfall of the 2023 Q7 is that it has one of the smallest third rows in this mid-size luxury SUV segment. Realistically, the Q7 is more of a 5+2 seater with a third row designed more for kids than anyone else. With a folding and tumbling second row, the good news is that it's easy for the little ones to climb into the rearmost seating. If the rear seat isn't necessary, it can be folded flat thanks to controls located behind the second row or in the cargo area. Speaking of this space, the Q7 can squeeze 14.2 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, and with it folded, there's 35.7 cubic feet available. Drop both rows, and cargo capacity climbs to 69.6 cubic feet.
2023 Audi Q7 55 Prestige Powertrain
The 2023 Audi Q7 offers a trio of engine options, ranging from a 261-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder to the SQ7's 500-horsepower mill. My tester was powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 rated at 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with standard quattro all-wheel drive, and in this configuration, the 2023 Audi Q7 returns EPA-rated fuel economy estimates of 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.
When the Q7 rolled up in my driveway, I was surprised to see that the trip computer was showing a driving range of 555 miles, and with an average of 20.8 mpg, this SUV didn't disappoint on my one-tank road trip. Not bad for a 5,000-pound SUV with a 6.9-second 0-60 time.
On the road, the Prestige Package's adaptive air suspension and dual-pane acoustic side glass deliver a smooth and whisper-quiet ride. Even on the interstate, the cabin is as quiet as you'd expect from a slow cruise around town. One of the more interesting options on this particular Q7 is the $1,500 all-wheel steering system, which steers the rear wheels in different ways depending on the vehicle's speed. At slower speeds, the system countersteers the rear wheels, allowing for a tighter turning radius and easier parking maneuvers. Above 50 mph, the rear tires turn in the same direction, for added precision.
2023 Audi Q7 55 Prestige Safety
The 2023 Audi Q7 has not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This is not uncommon for vehicles in this price range.
Standard safety features include Forward Collision Warning and Avoidance, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Warning, and Lane Departure Warning. The Prestige Package adds Adaptive Cruise Assist with Lane Guidance, Intersection Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition.
2023 Audi Q7 55 Prestige Overall
Although it's been eight years since this SUV was redesigned, the Audi Q7 doesn't come close to looking or feeling its age. And while it might not be the biggest or fastest offering in its segment, the Audi's abundance of technology and style--along with its seven-passenger seating capacity--makes it a compelling choice.
Of course, this attractive package comes at a price. At $59,200, the 2023 Audi Q7 has one of the highest MSRPs in the mid-size segment, and my well-equipped Q7 55 Prestige tester carried an as-tested price of $77,745. Check all the option boxes, and you'll be flirting with a $90,000 price tag.
Jeffrey N. Ross | January 31, 2023
