Everything That’s New In The Updated 2025 Audi Q7

Summary

• Updated design for 2025 Audi Q7 with new front and rear fascia, maintaining a unique appearance among competitors.
• Improved tech with Audi MMI infotainment system, updated software, and seamless integration with third-party apps.
• Luxury SUV choice with standard three-row seating, competitive pricing, but lacks electrification options.

The current generation of the Audi Q7 has been on sale in the United States since the 2016 model year, making this upcoming 2025 model year Q7 nearly a decade old. However, despite being older than most of the competition, it still manages to keep its head high nearly a decade later. For the 2025 model year, the Q7 has received quite a significant second facelift to keep it fresh amidst newer competition, though most of the competitors are also entering or just entered their mid-cycle facelifts as well.

Thanks to these updates, as well as a few key traits that also make it stand out among the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the Audi Q7 is still worthy of consideration in 2024. Here’s everything new about the 2025 Audi Q7, as well as a few reasons why you should still consider it when shopping for a midsize luxury SUV.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Audi, Cox Automotive, Autocar, and Volvo.

Comprehensively-Updated Looks

The 2025 Audi Q7’s updates start with what you already see–its design. Since it is a facelift, it’s mostly Audi slapping on a new front and rear fascia while the side profile remains largely unchanged. The result is mostly successful as it improves the proportions somewhat, but there’s no hiding the fact that it’s the same Q7 we’ve been seeing since the 2016 model year.

Styled To Look Relevant

Let’s first talk about the front face, since this is what you first see in any car in the first place. The signature Singleframe grille has been given a new shape and pattern, along with redesigned LED headlights whose shape and darker tint for the main headlight units create a visual separation from the LED daytime running lights. It brings the Q7 in line with newer Audi SUVs, namely the Q6 e-tron. Adaptive matrix LED headlights are standard, but optional HD Matrix LED headlights are available on both the Q7 and SQ7, which come with laser high beams. Also available as an option on the SQ7 are daytime running lights that can be personalized with four different patterns.

Moving on to the sides, the only thing that’s new is the model name being laser etched into the B-pillar as seen in models like the Q8 e-tron, along with new wheel designs ranging from 20 to 22 inches. The rear fascia has also been slightly redesigned, featuring a new rear bumper and new LED taillights. Finally, in the SQ7, those LED taillights can be upgraded to OLED units that feature up to four configurable designs. Of course, the SQ7 is characterized by a sportier look with a more aggressive front and rear bumper, a honeycomb grille, and quad exhausts.

Similar Interior, But New Software

Unlike the exterior, the interior sees more modest upgrades. The overall dash design remains largely unchanged, save for a few trim and upholstery improvements here and there. What’s new for this year is the Audi MMI infotainment system, which is running a new version of its operating system that now allows the use of third-party applications like Spotify and Apple Music. These apps are accessible via the Audi App Store, and the app library will continue to be expanded in the coming years. Also part of the new software is an enhancement to the Audi Virtual Cockpit digital gauges, which now display more information that includes how the advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) view the road ahead.

As for the interior features, for 2025, seam-stitching trim now comes standard in a contrasting gray color, while an optional Executive package gives you dual-pane acoustic glass, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, rear sunshades, four-zone automatic climate control, and traffic sign recognition.

Traits That Make The Q7 Compelling

The 2025 Audi Q7 may not be the newest kid on the block, but it possesses two traits that should make it attractive to buyers. Yes, it’s not the newest or with the biggest screens, but it fundamentally delivers on being a well-designed German luxury SUV. The interior, as usual with an Audi, is extremely well-built, and the MMI infotainment is easy to use and very intuitive. Furthermore, it’s also in a unique position among its two major German competitors.

The Most Affordable Three-Row German Luxury SUV

When I say affordable, I mostly mean accessible, because no one ever said ponying up $60,500 for any vehicle is affordable. Besides, $60,500 is still way higher than the new car’s average transaction price of $47,401 from January 2024. But yes, at $60,500, the Audi Q7 is the most affordable midsize German luxury SUV on sale. A 2024 Volvo XC90 costs a little less at $56,600, and that’s also a great three-row luxury SUV option, but if you are keen on getting something from Germany, then the Q7 is the most affordable of the bunch.

Also not German is the Lexus TX. The TX is a much larger car than the Q7, but it won’t be the best in terms of the driving experience–especially with the TNGA-K platform it’s using. The Q7, with its Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform, offers a far superior driving experience–one that’s good enough for Bentley to use in their Bentayga and Porsche to use in the Cayenne.

Three-Row Seating As Standard

Unlike the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the 2025 Audi Q7 comes with three-row seating as standard. Third-row seating in the X5 and GLE is optional, and that’s probably for a good reason. The Q7 was conceived to be a three-row SUV from the get-go, while the third-row seating of the GLE and X5 is mostly for emergency use or only for short trips. This is reflected in the legroom and headroom specs of these three luxury SUVs because BMW and Mercedes-Benz haven’t provided official figures for the third-row space of their midsize luxury SUVs. Third-party measurements exist. However, to keep the comparison fair, we’ll only stick to the manufacturer-provided figures.

With that said, the only other midsize luxury SUVs with comparable third-row seating would be the equivalently-sized Volvo XC90. The Q7 comes with a power-folding third row as standard, but the XC90 has a bit more space for those planning to sit in the third row. As usual, this space is best left for kids.

Everything Else You Need To Know About The Q7

The 2025 Audi Q7 breathes new life into the midsize three-row German luxury SUV, keeping this vehicle fresh amidst the brand’s newer offerings. While they’ve comprehensively updated its exterior whilst giving its interior new software, the powertrains unfortunately haven’t been updated for this facelift.

No Electrification As Standard

Same powertrains mean no form of electrification to be had–even as a 48-volt mild hybrid. The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, the 3.0-liter turbo V-6, as well as the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 in the SQ7, carry over unchanged for this model year. All are fitted with an eight-speed automatic and, being an Audi, is hooked up to a quattro permanent all-wheel drive (AWD) system. If you’re not a fan of electrification in any shape or form, then the Q7 might be the luxury SUV for you.

Having no form of electrification will also probably limit the potential appeal of the Q7, especially for those who value the pure electric range that a plug-in hybrid can provide. Most of its rivals, however, offer a plug-in hybrid option, namely the X5 and the GLE. If we move towards Sweden, the XC90 also comes as a plug-in hybrid, while all three aforementioned midsize luxury SUVs come with mild hybrid electrification at the very least. Perhaps in the next-generation Q7?

A New Generation Model Is Coming In 2026

Speaking of the next Q7, it must be noted, however, that the reason for a second facelift is that the next-generation Q7 won’t be released until the 2026 model year at the least. Numerous spy shots of the next-generation Q7 are already available across the web, with perhaps one of the most detailed speculations to date coming from Autocar.

The prototype Q7s sport new designs that now put the Q7 more in line with Audi’s new SUV range. The split headlight design from the Q6 e-tron has also been adopted by the next-generation Q7, while the roofline has been made more upright as a way to improve its third-row headroom. More room will also be provided for a battery, as the current Q7’s MLB Evo platform will see major revisions to accommodate a plug-in hybrid powertrain, according to the publication as well.