2020 Audi Q7: 4 Pros and 6 Cons
The Audi Q7 SUV got an extensive refresh for the 2020 model year — a host of mid-cycle updates that seem a lot more like a full redesign.
The 2020 Audi Q7 looks quite different from the 2019 version on the outside, but some of the shortcomings of previous model years still lurk under the surface. Up against luxury three-row people movers like the Cadillac XT6, Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90, the Q7 could do more to stand out. Still, there’s a whole lot to like: refreshed interior and exterior styling, under-the-hood updates and plenty of new tech to play with.
For the full rundown on the Q7, click through the related link above for our comprehensive review. For the quick list, read on for the pros and cons of the 2020 Audi Q7:
Pros
1. New Multimedia System
The sleek tech on the dash is perhaps the most significant of the Q7’s updates. Front and center is a new dual-screen system that includes an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen for climate controls and a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen that houses the multimedia system. Additionally, there’s a 12.3-inch screen in the instrument panel powered by the second-gen version of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
2. Updated Exterior
The Q7 takes styling cues from its stablemate, the Q8. The new octagonal grille gets vertical bars, and an aluminum-style finish adds even more dimension to the front end. Also redesigned are the available HD Matrix headlights with Audi laser lights and LED taillights. While 19-inch wheels are standard, 20-, 21- and 22-inch wheels are optional.
3. Handles Well
The 2020 Q7 handles quite well, especially when aided by an all-wheel steering system. This optional feature makes this large SUV much more maneuverable when parking or in other tight spaces.
4. Smooth Ride
Even over uneven or broken pavement, the Q7 offers a comfortable, quality ride. An available adaptive air suspension system comes with five ride height settings. You can also adjust the firmness of the dampers to your liking.
Cons
1. Laggy Drivetrain
The Q7’s updated optional engine — a 3.0-liter V-6 — puts out 335 horsepower and 369 pounds-feet of torque. All of that available power is at your disposal if you’re trying to accelerate from lower speeds when the transmission is already in the right gear … but any acceleration that requires a downshift is going to take a second or two. Even in Sport mode, there’s quite a lag between when you hit the gas and when the SUV punches forward.
2. Uncomfortable Second and Third Rows
Technically, the Q7 seats seven, but the five of those passengers sitting in the second and third rows won’t be as comfortable as those sitting up front. The second row only comes in a bench seating configuration with no option for a set of captain’s chairs. The outer seats have minimal bolstering, which makes for a lot of sliding around. In the way-wayback, there’s hardly enough room for a full-size adult, even if you slide the second row forward. There’s a lack of headroom in the third row, plus a lack of air vents and USB ports.
3. Multimedia Quirks
The new multimedia system is not without a few issues. For one, you might really miss the physical knobs on the climate control system. And where there is a knob — for volume — it sits on the passenger side instead of comfortably within the driver’s reach. All of the new screens are also magnets for fingerprints that are especially (annoyingly) visible when the sun hits them.
4. Gas Mileage Figures
In this refreshed Q7, fuel economy has dropped significantly. The EPA estimates the 2020 Q7 gets 17/21/18 mpg city/highway/combined — a decline from 2019’s 19/25/21 mpg rating. What’s more is that you’ll need to pump premium gasoline into this SUV to get the power out of it that Audi advertises, making this drop in mpg that much more noticeable.
5. Optional Safety Features
The Q7 has a lot of the safety and driver assistance features you’d expect in a luxury SUV, such as lane departure warning, lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control. Unfortunately, these systems are optional and wrapped up in packages that will cost you extra.
6. Mass-Market Rivals
In terms of value, this luxury SUV may have some competition in the form of mass-market family haulers like the Hyundai Palisade. The Palisade (our Best of 2020 vehicle, by the way) and others feature luxury-grade interior quality and more interior space for occupants and cargo than the Q7 — all at a lower price point.
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