Audi Q7 review - Interior & comfort

Audi has a reputation for producing some of the best interiors on the market and the new Audi Q7 definitely benefits from that expertise. The inside of the car is finished with materials that look and feel plush and the minimalist dashboard design is smart and modern. The interior of the Volvo XC90 is excellent and runs the Q7 close, but the materials in the Audi have an extra touch of class.

Refinement is excellent, making it a very relaxing car to travel in, and giving you a great opportunity to enjoy what is one of the best interiors on the market.

Audi Q7 dashboard

Audi’s triple-digital display has been adopted from the Audi Q8. It uses a 10.1-inch top screen to take care of infotainment, while a lower 8.6-inch screen takes care of climate control and vehicle settings. You also use this to input information with a handwriting recognition feature, although right-handed drivers may find this fiddly. The Virtual Cockpit instrument panel is clear and displays plentiful information, including navigation instructions.

Most of the Q7’s map and infotainment functions can be controlled from the steering wheel. This takes some getting used to, but once you've got the hang of it, it's safer as you can keep your eyes on the road ahead. The sheer level of technology can be intimidating, but if you take the time to learn it, you'll find it makes your life easier in the end.

All models also get the top-of-the-line MMI navigation and infotainment system, which includes Internet connectivity, while the system is also optimised for use with iOS or Android smartphones, allowing you to control some of your phone’s functions from the MMI system. It's now also compatible with Amazon voice service Alexa.

Equipment

The standard Q7 comes in three trim levels: S line, Black Edition and Vorsprung, with the range-topping SQ7 available as the standard model and in top-spec Vorsprung trim. There used to be a cheaper entry-level Sport model, though this is no longer available. Standard equipment includes front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, an adjustable speed limiter, sporty S Line bodykit, 20-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear windows and an automatic braking function at low speeds. All UK cars also come with Matrix LED headlights as standard, too.

Upgrading to Black Edition sees exterior chrome covered in black paint for a more menacing appearance, while the interior benefits from a standard panoramic sunroof, Valcona leather upholstery and ambient lighting.

The Vorsprung edition goes after top-flight Range Rover models, boasting 22-inch alloy wheels, and an interior swaddled in soft, diamond-stitched leather, with an Alcantara suede headlining. In-car technology is bolstered by a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging compartment and a Bang & Olufsen stereo system.

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Options

The list of optional equipment for the Q7 is long and many of the items are expensive, so restraint is advised unless your budget is significantly higher than the starting price of the car. Options include a Comfort and Sound Pack that includes a Bang & Olufsen sound system, ambient lighting, an Advanced Key, 360-degree camera view and Park Assist for around £2,300. A Tour Pack for just under £1,800 adds features including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings and a raft of collision avoidance tech.

A full-length panoramic sunroof is also available. It's truly enormous: opening the front section makes the people in the front two seats feel like they're in a convertible. There are plenty of colour choices for the inside and outside of the car as well.