Little greater than a decade in the past, if you happen to wished an Audi that might hit 60 mph in beneath 4.5 seconds, your native vendor would’ve had precisely one mannequin to point out you: the corporate’s brand-new R8 supercar, packing a 4.2-liter V8 and six-digit price ticket. Today, that very same salesperson may unexpectedly stroll you over to an 2021 Audi SQ7, if solely to look at your cerebrum twist itself right into a pretzel. Like Audi’s now-iconic mid-engined supercar, this brand-new SUV has additionally arrived packing a TFSI V8 and a price ticket that, sure, can exceed six digits. Funny factor, although: This three-row utility automobile has much more energy, torque and it will get higher gasoline economic system. See? As it seems, 2020 is not all dangerous.
Believe it or not, the heavyweight crossover seen on these digital pages would truly give Audi’s first-generation sports activities automobile a severe run for its cash from stoplight to freeway merge. Packing 500 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque from its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, the SQ7 even has a vastly extra power-dense engine — the naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 in Ye (Not So) Olde 2008 R8 Coupe solely mustered 420 hp and 317 lb-ft and that powerplant, buddies, was a landmark second in metallurgy.
Today, Audi gives a complete vary of fashions able to trouncing the unique R8’s efficiency figures — most for a lot much less cash. Of course, none are as incongruous as this 5,300-pound SUV, not to mention as capacious. The German automaker says this seven-passenger categorical can hit 60 mph in a scant 4.3 seconds — a tenth faster than the unique R8 — and energy to a high pace of 155 mph on its 21-inch summer season tires. (Optional all-seasons convey a significant v-max haircut, all the best way all the way down to 130 mph.)Let me clear my throatThose efficiency and consumption figures paint a visceral image that is underlined — considerably — by a model-specific multi-mode exhaust. Poke the starter button and the Q7’s V8 barks briefly earlier than rapidly settling to idle. You’ll know instantly that this is not a garden-variety four- or six-cylinder Q7, however even with SQ7’s extra assertive tone, it is nonetheless not significantly vocal by default.
We want the massive V8 roar was a bit extra audible, particularly from inside.
Nick Miotke/Roadshow
To change that, you will need to cycle by way of the Drive Select menu. Putting the SQ7 into Sport opens up the exhaust valves whereas amplifying different efficiency attributes like steering weight and transmission programming. Alternatively, you may name up extra sound particularly by tailoring the exhaust setting within the Individual mode. The touchscreen preset for the loudest possibility is named Present, which reads a bit like a grade-school suck-up throughout attendance roll name.
That ‘trainer’s pet’ imagery appears apt, as a result of regardless of possessing a extra strident soundtrack than its European counterparts (owing to totally different particulate filters), this SQ7 may arguably stand to be a bit extra vocal nonetheless. Performance fashions from AMG or Jaguar’s SVR are considerably extra declarative in and out and even BMW’s non-M specials may be, too. Yes, I do know this is not an RS Q7, however within the absence of such a mannequin, it might be good to have an much more socially reprehensible setting, if solely to blow out psychological cobwebs on lonely winding roads. As it’s, the V8 makes a superb sound, it is only a bit too muffled by the point it makes its manner inside.More full efficiencyOf course, Audi’s engineers have not simply fitted the SQ7 with 165 extra horses and practically 200 lb-ft extra torque than their next-most-powerful Q7. There’s a regular adaptive air suspension system that hunkers 15 millimeters decrease by default and, regardless of firmer tuning, the SQ7’s setup nonetheless ably negotiates Michigan’s pockmarked roads (no imply feat contemplating the 285/40-series low-profile Continental ContisportContact 5 rubber and 21-inch wheels). There’s additionally extra aggressive tuning for the eight-speed Tiptronic computerized and model-specific throttle mapping and digital safety-nanny settings.The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produces a wholesome 500 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque.
Nick Miotke/Roadshow
Perhaps most significantly, all SQ7s include all-wheel steering, a function elective on lesser Q7s that gives as much as 5 levels of rear-axle steering. Combined with the SQ7’s rear-biased 40:60 Quattro torque cut up, this SUV is surprisingly nimble, be it hustling down a B-road or jousting to seize that final early morning parking spot at Orangetheory. While it nonetheless seems like an enormous automobile, when pushed exhausting, the SQ7 does shrink round you sufficient to really feel extra like a midsize efficiency wagon than a high-power SUV. (Fair sufficient, as that is kind of what most of those pavement-bound utility autos truly are.)One factor that does not shrink when going exhausting, nonetheless, is gasoline consumption. EPA estimates name for 15 miles per gallon metropolis, 21 freeway and 17 mixed, however leadfoots will not discover it exhausting to ship that determine considerably south.Big, however not too largeThis SUV’s adroit dealing with can be a touch upon its (comparatively) modest footprint. The SQ7 stretches 199.6 inches from its distinctive, mask-like, double-slat grille to its model-specific rear bumper. By comparability, the Mercedes-Benz GLS580 spans an enormous 205 inches and weighs about 400 kilos extra. The BMW X7 M50i compares equally. It’s solely barely shorter than the Benz at 203.3 inches and it is greater than 300 kilos heftier than the automobile seen right here. In reality, even when it is longer than its Porsche Cayenne platform-mate, the SQ7’s dimensions however assist it really feel considerably extra wieldy than key rivals. That sensation would seemingly have been enhanced even additional if my tester had been outfitted with Audi’s elective Sport Package ($5,900), which incorporates 48-volt energetic roll stabilization, a torque-vectoring rear sport differential and red-painted brake calipers.Unless you really want these third-row seats, you are higher off leaving ’em folded flat.
Nick Miotke/Roadshow
That stated, the Audi’s smaller dimension additionally means it offers up a considerable quantity of third-row seating and baggage house to that very same competitors. The SQ7 faucets out at 69.6 cubic toes of cargo room with its second- and third-row seats folded. That’s beneficiant, nevertheless it’s nonetheless some 15 cubes shy of the GLS and a whopping 21 cubes shy of the X7 — it is virtually just like the SQ7 is a full class-size smaller.If you need not make use of the SQ7’s rather-tight third row continuously, it will not actually matter. You’ll nonetheless be lots comfy inside, plus you will be surrounded by a few of the greatest, most-powerful in-car tech within the biz. Audi’s newest MMI Touch Response dual-touchscreen infotainment interface is right here in pressure, as is Audi’s second-generation Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster. This {hardware} takes a little bit getting used to, nevertheless it’s properly configurable and really {powerful}. Limited inside tweaksThe remainder of the inside is not too shabby, both. SQ7-specific touches are fairly minimal, however they embrace comfy and supportive sport seats wrapped in quilted Valcona leather-based. In a pleasant improvement, with top-flight Prestige fashions, these seats aren’t simply heated, they’re additionally ventilated (beforehand if you happen to wished cooling on most efficiency Audi fashions, you needed to revert to less-grippy normal seats). There’s an identical perforated-leather three-spoke wheel, although it is let down by the return of Audi’s tab-style paddle shifters. These plasticky-feeling switches have been round for too lengthy. On the plus facet, it is value noting that the Prestige spec additionally contains options like dual-pane acoustic facet glass, soft-close doorways and a driver help package deal with options like adaptive cruise management, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep help and a head-up show.Audi’s MMI Touch Response infotainment system and Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster are a few of the luxurious section’s greatest in-car tech choices.
Nick Miotke/Roadshow
Audi SQ7 pricingYou’re most likely questioning what all this tempo and posh prices, however first, a quick clarification is so as. The Matador Red SQ7 seen right here is definitely a 2020 mannequin, nevertheless it’s one in all solely a small variety of examples carrying this mannequin yr designation (blame the coronavirus shutdown’s impression on manufacturing and delivery). As such, 2021 fashions are additionally starting to trickle into Audi sellers nationwide, sitting cheek-by-jowl with their 2020 counterparts. Regardless of mannequin yr, the SQ7 vary begins in Premium Plus guise, basically what can be a mid-rung trim on the usual Q7. The 2020 SQ7 line begins at $85,795 (together with $995 supply), whereas 2021 fashions ring up $200 increased. Step as much as Prestige trim and earlier than visiting the choices listing, you are taking a look at $91,395 for a 2020 or $92,195 for a 2021.My Prestige tester contains the aforementioned Matador Red metallic paint ($595) in addition to good-looking Carbon Vector inlays ($750) within the cabin. Add in laser headlights ($1,650) and splurge on Audi’s killer Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system ($5,000) and also you get $99,390 as examined. That’s clearly a ton of money, nevertheless it’s additionally greater than aggressive. Benz’s 2020 GLS580 begins at $98,795 delivered and that is earlier than a dizzying array of choices. BMW’s X7 M50i is much more pricey at $100,795 sans choices (together with vacation spot). Believe it or not, not solely are the SQ7’s rivals larger and extra pricey, they each have mannequin ranges that reach even additional into the stratosphere due to AMG and Alpina.To be honest, it might be awfully exhausting to name something on this class a “bargain,” even when the SQ7 is one thing of a do-it-all, high-performance juggernaut, however for these lucky sufficient to be purchasing for SUVs on this uncommon air, the 2021 Audi SQ7 is value a protracted, exhausting look.With a bevy of choices, this SQ7 prices simply shy of $100,000, which is expensive, however truly barely extra inexpensive than most on this class.
Nick Miotke/Roadshow
Climb within the driver’s seat for the most recent automobile information and critiques, delivered to your inbox twice weekly.