Audi Q7 review - Reliability & safety

When tested by Euro NCAP in late 2019, the Q7 performed strongly, scoring a five-star safety rating. The Q7’s reliability, though, is less straightforward, thanks to fiendishly complicated electrical systems, with an arsenal of cameras, sensors and powerful computer processors built into the car. Only time will tell whether they can remain glitch-free for the lifetime of the car, but there have been reports of teething problems with certain systems on recent Audi models that should have been ironed out by now.

Audi Q7 reliability

Audi hasn’t performed particularly well in recent editions of the Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. In 2024, it came in a disappointing 27th place, ahead only of Volkswagen in 29th out of the Volkswagen Group brands – that’s particularly embarrassing given it’s supposed to be one of the most premium marques of the bunch. It’s worth noting that rivals Lexus, Land Rover and BMW came out on top in 10th, 12th and 14th, respectively, while Mercedes came in 25th out of 32 manufacturers. 

Reliability wasn’t terrible though, with a lower-than-average 21.3% of owners reporting an issue with their Audi in the first year – of these rival premium marques, Lexus was the most reliable, with 17.9% having faults, and Land Rover was by far the least, with a shocking 40.6% of its owners reporting faults.

Safety

In late 2019, the Q7 underwent Euro NCAP crash testing and was awarded the maximum five stars. The car scored 92% and 88% for adult and child occupant protection respectively. It also scored well in the safety assist category, scoring 72% overall thanks to an array of standard safety tech.

That safety tech should take some of the stress out of driving while also keeping you and your passengers out of harm's way. Standard equipment includes rear parking sensors, cruise control, an adjustable speed limiter and an automatic braking function at low speeds.

Optional systems include autonomous parking assistance and active lane-keeping assistance. The Q7 offers six ISOFIX mounts on all models, which is brilliant news for people with young families. One impressive piece of optional technology is the four-wheel steering, which gives the Q7 a tighter turning circle than the Audi A4.

Euro NCAP awarded the Audi Q7 the maximum five-star crash-test score, as well as 94% and 88% respectively for adult and child occupant protection.