The Audi Q7 has been a fixture in the premium SUV segment since 2005, and the third generation — revealed globally in June 2026 — builds on that foundation without abandoning what made the model successful.
The exterior retains the Q7’s commanding proportions and high shoulder line, but gains a more upright D-pillar that delivers a near-horizontal roofline and additional headroom throughout. The Singleframe grille sits higher, broadening the front-end presence, while muscular wheel arch treatment adds width. Standard digital daytime running lights and optional digital Matrix LED headlights round out a front end that is immediately recognisable as Q7, but clearly of a new generation.
At the rear, optional third-generation digital OLED lights span the full width of the vehicle via a continuous light strip, with up to eight selectable light signatures. The advanced turn signal system is a claimed world-first: at night, a stylised indicator is projected onto the ground in sync with the front and rear signals, giving cyclists and pedestrians a clear visual cue of the vehicle’s intentions.
A cabin built for distance
Inside, the Q7 comes to New Zealand in seven-seat configuration as standard. The second-row bench accommodates three child seats side by side, and all seats are electrically adjustable. Boot volume behind the second row reaches 722 litres, expanding to 1,980 litres with all rear seats folded. A 65/35 second-row split with an additional 30% fold-down centre section provides flexibility across load configurations.
The centre console has been redesigned, with Qi2.2 wireless charging for two smartphones at 25W each, active cooling to maintain charging speed, and magnetic retention to prevent handsets shifting. USB-C fast-charging is available wired: up to 60W in the second row, 100W in the third.
The electrically powered tailgate can be triggered by foot gesture, with a projected guide light beneath the rear bumper indicating foot position.
The optional panoramic sunroof is a notable upgrade. A revised roof structure reduces its overall depth, recovering headroom across all three rows. Transparency is adjustable across nine individual zones, the glass blocks more than 99.5% of UV radiation without requiring a conventional blind, and an integrated wind deflector reduces noise when the roof is open. Optional ambient-matched illumination in the glass panel itself is a first for the model.
Powertrain and chassis
The Q7 launches with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel in two outputs: 220kW with 630Nm, or 180kW with 500Nm. Both use MHEV plus technology, combining a belt alternator starter, a next-generation powertrain generator, and a lithium iron phosphate battery. The powertrain generator can temporarily contribute up to 18kW and 370Nm to support starts and overtaking, while an electric-powered compressor builds boost pressure across the full engine speed range — reaching 90,000rpm in 250 milliseconds — delivering linear throttle response without turbo lag.
Both variants run an eight-speed tiptronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive with a new limited-slip centre differential. Suspension options span standard steel springs, adaptive air suspension with electronically controlled damping, and adaptive air suspension sport — the latter lowering the standard ride height by 30mm. An exit function drops the vehicle 62mm when stationary to ease boarding and alighting. Optional all-wheel steering improves low-speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability.
The driver assistance suite is comprehensive. Adaptive driving assistant plus handles acceleration, braking, and lane keeping on extended runs. Trained parking allows the Q7 to memorise up to five individual manoeuvres of up to 200 metres each, managing them autonomously with driver supervision. Emergency assist — new to this generation — can steer the vehicle to the road shoulder and bring it to a controlled stop if the driver becomes unresponsive, triggering an emergency call after a period of inactivity.
End of 2026 for New Zealand
Pricing and specifications for the New Zealand market are yet to be confirmed, with the official launch scheduled for the end of 2026. Greg Leet, General Manager of Audi New Zealand, points to the momentum already established by the Q3 and Q5 as setting the stage: “We expect the new Q7 to build on that success at the top of the range. It brings together refined capability, advanced technology, and the space Kiwi families need, all while delivering the premium quality and confidence expected from Audi.”
