Despite some auto critics’ nitpicking issues like minimal third-row legroom, the Audi Q7 interior offers decent cargo space & comfort.
When shopping for a luxury SUV, one of the most important things for a buyer is the interior. Spending most of your time on the inside, you’ll want plenty of features and creature comforts — and this is where the Audi Q7 interior delivers an experience like no other.
The Audi Q7 is the first iteration of an SUV for Audi, becoming available in 2006 as the market shifted towards sport utility vehicles and crossovers. The first Audi-branded SUV, the Q7 debuted as the flagship model, with lower Q5 and Q3 models coming after a successful few years of sales.
Although the Audi Q7 is the flagship full-size SUV, it does suffer some drawbacks as the first foray into the SUV market. Here, we will dive into the features, cargo space, and pricing of the Q7 line to answer questions like:
- Is the Audi Q7 worth the money?
- Is the Audi Q7 a reliable car?
- Is it worth buying a used Audi Q7?
First-generation Audi Q7 (2006-2015)
Making its first appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005, the Audi Q7 created e a new and exciting buzz around the luxury SUV market. Since the Q7 was the first SUV model for Audi, the German automobile manufacturer put a lot of attention toward features available inside to match its German luxury rivals like BMW and Mercedes.
The full-size luxury SUV debuted with Audi’s Multimedia Interface (MMI), a similar dial design to BMW that controlled the infotainment screen and many interior settings. Seated directly behind the gear selector, the MMI has mixed reviews, with some saying it is highly intuitive, while others worry about fumbling around while driving to change a setting.
First-generation Audi Q7s come trimmed in two packages: Base or Premium. And with two different engine options, the features expand even more.
A Base 3.6L Audi Q7 Interior comes standard with:
- auto-off headlights
- leather-wrapped steering wheel
- keyless entry
- rain-sensing wipers
- dual-zone A/C
Options for the base model include:
- satellite radio
- leather seating
- heated front seats
- power passenger seat
With a sleek amount of chromed trim breaking up the leather accents, the base model interior certainly isn’t the worst place to be.
Premium 3.6L Q7’s start to take on a more luxurious lifestyle, adding:
- HID headlights
- front reading lamps,
- heated leather front seating as standard
Options for the Premium 3.6L incorporate a:
- panoramic sun/moon roof
- backup camera
- keyless start
- power liftgate
- rear-seat heat ducts
- rear parking aid
- seat memory function
As for the Base 4.2L Audi Q7 Interior, you’ll find many of the same features offered on the Premium 3.6L model, including things like power liftgate and seat memory as standard.
Options, unfortunately, don’t expand outside of what you can find in the lower Premium model.
Top trim Premium 4.2L Q7s received all features available for previous Q7s as standard aside from things like chrome wheels, air suspension, and, surprisingly, cruise control. Premium 4.2L Q7’s made great use of the Bose premium sound system. However, some reviews say it doesn’t match up to its technical specifications in real-life use.
First-gen. Audi Q7 Cargo Space & Reviews
Even though the Q7 markets itself as a full-size SUV that can seat seven, they do so by giving you economy-airplane levels of legroom. When seated comfortably in the first two rows, the third-row passengers suffer immensely.
Cargo space for the first-generation Q7 benefits from shorter seating by having 10.9 cu. ft. with all seating in use. Folding both rear rows flat, you bump up to 72.5 cu. ft.
The only drawback of this ample cargo space is the sloping roofline of the Q7, making it harder to get taller items into the hatch. Overall reviews of the first-generation Q7 give it high remarks for being worthy of the price tag considering the features and opulent interior feel.
Second-generation Audi Q7 (2016-Present)
Revamping the flagship Q7 SUV, Audi took the direction toward packing more technology and features into their vehicles. Giving the Q7 a completely new design, the automaker made the full-size SUV a bit smaller but sacrificed nothing for the extravagance of the interior.
Still seating seven passengers, you get the same knee-crunching third-row seat, but it is met with comfortable leather and soft padding throughout the cabin.
Unfortunately for the Q7, its smaller size means less cargo space than the previous generation. Packages for the second-generation Audi Q7 follow suit to the previous generation, offering Premium and Premium Plus trims but expanding between two engine options.
Starting with the lowest model, the Premium 2.0L TFSI, you are greeted by angular designs throughout the cabin. Wrapped in more leather and aluminum trim, you get a futuristic sense of luxury front to back.
Coming standard with the Premium 2.0 TFSI are things like:
- keyless entry
- HID headlights
- rear parking aid
- power-folding memory mirrors
- power liftgate
- heated leather seating with front bucket seats
- rear A/C control
- dual-zone A/C
- head unit with Android Auto or Apple Carplay as standard
Stand-out safety features include brake assist and auto-leveling headlights.
Options consist of:
- luggage rack
- heated steering wheel
- cooled driver seat
- heated rear seats
- wifi hotspot
- premium audio
- rear side airbags
Moving up, the Premium Plus 2.0L TFSIt gives you all of the previous standard features but adds more available options. These options consist of:
- hands-free liftgate
- adaptive cruise control
- smart device integration
- blind-spot monitor
- lane departure warning
- cross-traffic alert
- lane-keeping assist
Considering there is no difference in the base pricing, it is hard to see why anyone would opt for the Premium model over the Premium Plus. Bumping up to the Premium 3.0L TFSI is sadly the same story, with standard features remaining the same as the 2.0L model.
Premium Plus for the 3.0L model hits all the same notes as the 2.0L, adding more tech and safety features as options.
Audi did introduce a new trim package for the Q7, releasing the 3.0L TFSI Prestige model. The Prestige model adds in many of the lower trim options as standard but leaves more on the table for what you can add-in.
Audi went all out for the Prestige models, including options such as:
- all-wheel steering
- heads-up display
- active air suspension
- night vision.
Prestige models fetch quite the price tag though. Fully-optioned models are listed at around $42,000 with approximately 60,000 miles. A brand-new 2021 Prestige will run you a whopping $73,000 — but you receive top-of-the-line technology wrapped in a comforting Audi leather interior.
2020 Audi Q7 Cargo Space & Reviews
As we previously touched upon, the new Audi Q7’s cargo space is lacking when compared to the previous generation. With all available seating in use, the cargo bay bumps up to 14.2 cu. ft. However, with all seating folded flat, it drops to 69.6 cu. ft.
Cargo space is a considerable drawback for the Audi Q7 interior over its competitors such as the BMW X7 and Lincoln Aviator.
Recalls for the second-generation Q7 are sparse as it is still a fresh model. However, there have been a handful of issues with the electric power steering, airbag modules, and a few leaking fuel rails.
Reviews of the new Audi Q7 generation praise it for its technological prowess and cush interior but turn up their nose at its projected reliability and cargo space. Reviews so far are primarily positive, with some nitpicking issues like problems using the MMI or third-row legroom.
How Luxurious is the 2020 Q7’s Interior?
With a Kelley Blue Book fair market range of $45,631 to $62,243, you’d expect Audi to go above and beyond with the 2020 Q7’s luxury interior. And they did.
If you’re wondering, does the 2020 Audi Q7 have a massage seat? You’ll be happy top hear that yes, it does — plus even more comfort seating features that complement the massage seat.
In addition to the massage function, the available Luxury package in the 2020 Audi Q7 adds Alcantara headliner and individual contour front seats in Valcona leather with ventilation and passenger seat memory, and extended leather on center console and door armrests.
And for old-school audiophiles who appreciate modern digital technology but also have a stack of favorite CDs in the glovebox, the 2020 Audi Q7 has a CD/DVD player too.
2020 Audi Q7 Recalls & Reliability
As for recalls on the first-generation Q7, you’ll find one major issue arises from a fuel leak with concern for fire. This recall doubles down with a limited number of fixes that were repaired improperly.
Even though this recall is rather scary, the issue was found after conducting an internal engineering test at Audi and was remedied preemptively. Long-term reliability has proven to be above average for a luxury SUV.
The main complaint you’ll find is that the Q7 wears through tires quickly, needing consistent pressure checks and regular alignments to minimize wear.
Second-generation Q7’s suffer from the same fuel rail recall, along with an electric power-steering failure recall. There have been a few specific issues with airbag modules and seating electronics outside of those two significant recalls.
Projected reliability for the new-generation Audi Q7 doesn’t look very promising as it has had more issues than the previous generation.
However, you’ll be pleased to know that the exciting new features and creature comforts haven’t shown any signs of failure, so maybe there isn’t a need to worry.
Photos: Audi
