Audi's 2022 Q7 All-Road quattro midsize luxury crossover combines utility, aero design with seating for seven

Audi’s 2022 Q7 quattro (AWD) All-Road luxury midsize three row crossover, has a lot of company in its class that comes from BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Lexus, Land Rover and Lincoln to mention a few. But it has many attributes that allow it to excel. 

In its second generation, Q7 was launched in 2017 and is the next to the top shelf Q8 crossover. But Q7 also comes in a high-performance SQ7 V8 version with 500-hp. It’s for those who want the ultimate in performance, luxury with seating for seven. 

For 2022, the Q7 received several safety upgrades such as virtual cockpit, enhanced pre-sense occupant protection, pre-sense front collision warning and avoidance, lane departure warning, Audi blind spot side assist, rear cross traffic alert, traffic jam assist, adaptive cruise, active lane assist and most significantly, optional all-wheel steering. 

The test car also came standard with heated, auto-dimming, power folding memory side mirrors, nationwide integrated toll module (toll collection technology), panoramic sunroof, satellite radio and numerous other in-demand features. 

As it is with all Audi’s, Q7 has a slippery, smooth, aerodynamic (0.32 drag coefficient) exterior. It just looks inviting and not bulbous like some competitors. And with the optional Black Optics package, the trimmings give Q7 extra pizazz. 

While most crossovers have one infotainment screen, Q7 has two. The top 9.75-inch one  serves a host of functions including Google map navigation, drive mode selections and air suspension levels, while the lower 7-inch screen displays climate (HVAC) selections. The duo takes on a Gulfstream jet cockpit look especially with the low-profile gear selector. 

Over on the digital gauge cluster, a large driver information display between the primary gauges offers alerts, features and operating functions. 

Heated/cooled leather front seats have a cloth-like texture and are sumptuously padded with sensible lateral support. Ditto for the second-row seats that offer generous leg and head room with separate HVAC controls in the rear of the  console box. The third row is mainly for youngsters, but access to them is fairly easy as the second-row tilts and slides well forward. 

The cargo area has a 27-inch lift-over or 30 inches if the air suspension system is at its highest position. With the third-row seats upright there’s 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 20.5 inches deep, 46.5 wide and 29.6 high. Flip the third row and depth increases to 46 inches. Fold the 40/20/40 second row and it expands to 72 inches of depth for 69.6 cubic feet of space. Beneath the rear cargo floor is a bin that houses the tire inflator kit and Bang & Olufsen audio systems’ amplifier. 

Q7 is a heavenly ride with its adaptive air suspension that automatically levels the car when carrying a heavy load or when towing a trailer (7,700 tow rating). Or, it can be manually lowered for highway driving or raised via the touchscreen for deep snow or light off-roading. So equipped, and shod with 21-inch  Pirelli tires, Q7 glides over road imperfections and highway tar strips, you know, the kind that give a thump, thump bumpy ride. And there are multiple, selectable driving modes of All-Road, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual. 

With all-wheel steering, Q7 parks easily, is agile and exceptionally maneuverable in tight spots. It has a tight curb-curb turn diameter of 41 feet. 

Q7 also offers a steering assist mode that allows hands-off the wheel steering when on a straight highway and keeps the car between the roadway divider lines. 

Offered with two powertrains, the Q7 45 TSFI quattro comes with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that generates 248-hp and 273 lb/ft of torque, and the tested, Q7 55 TFSI  powered by a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder with 335-hp and 369 lb/ft of torque. Coupled to a standard 8-speed Audi Tiptronic automatic transmission, the Q7 55 earns EPA mileages estimates of 18 city, 23-highway mpg. There’s certainly no want for power despite its hefty curb weight of 4,971 pounds. Audi lists a 0-60 time of  5.7 seconds. Want a quicker time? Opt for the SQ7. 

As for price, Q7 becomes pricey when adding a few options. For example, the Prestige Package that includes all-season run-flat tires, adaptive cruise w/lane guidance, Bang & Olufsen audio, adaptive air suspension, dual-pane acoustic glass, heads-up display, intersection assist and traffic sign recognition, power soft closing doors, LED headlights and illuminated door sills and more, adds $10,800 to the base price of $62,500. Include the Black Optics Package ($1,750), all-wheel steering ($1,500) and delivery ($1,195) and the bottom line reflects $77,395. This is comparable to similarly equipped luxury, three-row AWD crossovers, but none previously mentioned offer all-wheel steering. 
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Audi Q7 quattro  offers the ultimate in comfort, utility and all-season capability for a family needing seating for seven. Add to that, it’s sporty and alluring.