08-07-2025
Why the Audi Q7 55 TFSI still deserves your attention
The infotainment system is starting to show its age, compared with the latest generation interfaces from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and the one-piece backrests for the front seats also look out of place. These are fine in an RS Q8 but in a Q7 you lust for wider, cushier pews befitting the character of a cosseting SUV.
Some may be disappointed to learn that the 3.0 l V6 TDI unit has been given the boot. It was hugely popular in the pre-facelift iteration of the Q7. As global, first-world markets and their more stringent emissions regulations shifting away from oil-burners, our region also feels the consequences. Your only choice is the 3.0 l turbocharged-petrol V6, denoted by the 55 TFSI moniker.
If fuel economy is less of a consideration, this power source will serve you just fine. It has an alluring sound — silky and mellifluous in the way Teutonic V6 motors tend to be. Power delivery is delivered in a commensurate way; creamy smooth, with a delicious groundswell of torque that makes overtaking a cinch. Average consumption sat at 12 l /100km after a week and nearly 600km. Height-adjustable air suspension makes for an appropriately supple ride quality.
There seems to be more questions than answers about Audi's strategy for the local market. A significant number of dealerships have closed down and while the brand has invested much into its high-end E-Tron electric vehicles, uptake has been slow. Rival brands have plug-in hybrids in their portfolios to support a gradual transition, which Audi does not.
