Compact SUVs may be the craze at the moment, but there’s a market for large SUVs that are capable of seating up to seven passengers, which is where the 2018 Audi Q7 comes into play. To keep the SUV party going, Audi’s updated its luxury SUV with new features for the 2018 model year.
What's New for 2018
For 2018, the Q7 expands on its luxurious offerings by providing the automaker’s smart key as standard across all of the SUV’s trims, which allows owners to open the vehicle and start the car while keeping the key in their pocket. Premium Plus trims now come with a Bose surround sound system as standard, while the Prestige trim now features power door closers as part of the SUV’s standard equipment. In other words, it's something of a light year for Audi's largest SUV.
Choosing Your Audi Q7
The 2018 Q7's new features add an extra dose of accessibility to the vehicle, while the SUV’s performance remains unchanged with two available powertrains to choose from. The Premium and Premium Plus trims get a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque as standard.
The two trims are also available with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine, which is standard on the Prestige trim. It makes 333 hp and 325 pound-feet of torque. All Q7 trims continue to utilize an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox with Quattro all-wheel drive for all-year capability.
Despite its large size, the Q7 has received adequate fuel economy ratings from the EPA. Trims fitted with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine are rated at 19 miles per gallon city, 25 highway, and 21 combined. The larger, more powerful 3.0-liter V6 matches those ratings according to the EPA website – we suspect there could be a mistake here, since Audi's own consumer page lists the V6's ratings as "TBD."
Unlike large SUVs from yesteryear, the Q7’s new looks, which are more wagon-like, also translates to the way the SUV performs. With the larger V6 engine, the Q7 performs similarly to a large sports sedan, which can be attributed to a body that relies heavily on steel and aluminum, while Audi Drive Select helps sharpens the SUV’s engine, steering, suspension, and transmission for a sportier feel when in Dynamic mode.
While the 2018 Q7 is a capable all-rounder, it does come at a steep price that has increased for 2018. Last year’s Q7 2.0T Premium trim started at $49,950 (including last year's $950 in destination fees). For 2018, the price has increased modestly, to $50,875 for the same configuration (including a slightly higher destination charge of $975).
The 2018 Q7, which is currently on sale, is available in three different trims:
The base Q7 Premium comes handsomely equipped with high-tech features. For those looking to have the latest and greatest, only the Prestige will do. But we recommend going with the base model and opting for the 3.0-liter supercharged V6, as the engine brings a host of features with it, making the roughly $6,500 different well worth the price.