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2020 Audi SQ7

Starting at $85,795

8/10 C/D RATING
Specs
2020 audi sq7 prestige
Michael Simari|Car and Driver
8/10 C/D RATING

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  • Highs Blistering acceleration, seven seats standard, effortless handling.
  • Lows Gas guzzling powertrain, best options push the price further toward six figures, too heavy on the touchscreens.
  • Verdict If you need ample space for the family and a penchant for speed, the SQ7 is a rare option that satisfies both.
By Joey Capparella

Overview

If the standard Audi Q7 isn't exciting enough for you, consider its high-performance counterpart called the SQ7. This variant of the mid-size luxury SUV comes with a 500-hp twin-turbocharged V-8 engine that makes it properly quick. Audi has also beefed up the suspension over the Q7 to dial in more aggressive handling capabilities. The SQ7 competes directly with the BMW X5 M and Mercedes-AMG GLE-class and like those rivals it offers a posh cabin with plenty of tech goodies, but here a third row of seats is standard.

What's New for 2020?

The SQ7 is a new addition to the Q7 lineup for 2020. It's been available in Europe for a few years, but only with a diesel engine, which we won't get in the U.S.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Audi's asking price for the SQ7 is a hefty one to start with and going with the even pricier Prestige model doesn't seem to add anything that enhances this rig's performance. Instead, we'd go with the Premium Plus model and add the Sport package, which comes with Audi's Active Roll Stabilization system, which is said to improve cornering.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The SQ7 has a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine with 500 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque that it shares with the mechanically similar, two-row SQ8 SUV. That sounds like a lot, and it is: this is the same engine found in the even higher-performance RS Q8, and it only gives up a bit of power and torque in this application. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard, as is an eight-speed automatic transmission, and at our test track, the SQ7 snapped off a zero-to-60-mph time of just 3.5 seconds. Despite its performance potential, the SQ7 still effortlessly doubles as a family SUV, delivering a faultless ride. Handling is nothing short of heroic considering that it's a veritable heavyweight; it tackles curvy roads effortlessly and rarely feels unsettled.

2020 audi sq7 prestigeView Photos
Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

According to the EPA, the SQ7 is good for 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy test, the SQ7 nailed its rating and delivered 21 mpg. For more information about the SQ7's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The SQ7 offers the same practical interior as the Q7, but with a few special touches including sportier seats with different leather trim. A third row of seats is standard equipment on the SQ7, as it is in the Q7, making it a speedy seven-passenger family hauler. Cargo space is limited behind the third row as it is in the Q7 but drop those seats and the second-row chairs and the SQ7 will likely hold the same 25 carry-on suitcases we were able to fit in the regular Q7.

2020 audi sq7 prestige interiorView Photos
Michael Simari|Car and Driver

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Q7 received a refresh for 2020 that included a new touchscreen infotainment system, and the SQ7 shares this same setup. Three digital screens dot the dashboard, one serving as a reconfigurable gauge display, another handling navigation and entertainment, and a third providing access to vehicle settings and climate control. Depending on how you feel about physical controls versus touch-sensitive ones, the SQ7's cabin may delight or infuriate.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Audi offers basic driver-assistance aids as standard on the SQ7, but more advanced tech will cost extra. For more information about the SQ7's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

  • Standard automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning
  • Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
  • Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

The SQ7 will be covered by the same warranty as other Audi models, and includes:

  • Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
  • No complimentary scheduled maintenance
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Specifications

Specifications

2020 Audi SQ7

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED
$99,390 (base price: $80,995)

ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
244 in3, 3996 cm3
Power
500 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque
568 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 15.8-in vented disc/13.8-in vented disc
Tires: Continental ContiSportContact 5 SUV, 285/40R-21 109Y AO

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 118.0 in
Length: 199.6 in
Width: 76.6 in
Height: 68.6 in
Passenger volume: 138 ft3
Cargo volume: 14 ft3
Curb weight: 5311 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.5 sec
100 mph: 9.1 sec
130 mph: 16.8 sec
150 mph: 28.0 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.6 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.6 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.0 sec
1/4 mile: 12.0 sec @ 113 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 151 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 155 ft

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 14 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 21 mpg
Highway range: 470 miles

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 17/15/21 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

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