The combination of a premium technology-filled interior that can fit seven, air suspension delivering a smooth and controlled ride, and 3-litre turbocharged V6 for effortless speed, has long made the Audi Q7 one of the most luxurious and quickest methods of transportation.

In 2024 it received a light update to ensure it retains its primary role atop the Q-line of SUVs ladder.

EXTERIOR

Most obvious is the exterior. There’s a new design that manages to visually slim down what is a very large SUV. Audi says it modernised the Q7 by pursuing a cleaner look and reducing the decorative elements. It works!

The Audi Singleframe grille has been redesigned offering different inlays based on trim level. LED headlights are standard. In the rear, the update features a model first, OLED rear tail lamps which are able to animate and alter their light signature.

The colour palette for the Q7 has expanded greatly. Wheel choices stretch from 19-inch to 23-inches. Topped off with a Black Plus optics package, the Q7 can be customised to the personal taste of most owners, and beyond that of the average premium 7-seater.

INTERIOR

The interior gets its prestige status due to the generous space across the first two rows and the numerous touches of practicality necessary for a vehicle built to handle everything from one-up driving to hauling a young horde or being a mobile meeting room. Getting there is keyless entry and fully illuminated guidance that lights up all four door handles — doors that have soft close functionality, puddle lamps, and lit door sills. Panoramic sunroof? Got it.

When the Q7 inherited the cabin traits from the Q8, it pretty much moved the premium interior game forward. The Audi Virtual Cockpit and dual-screen infotainment promote a tech-forward occupant space, even amongst old-school materials, such as leather, that are liberally wrapped on the majority of the contact surfaces, and supported by small design accents. What can be automated and powered is, for convenience. Access to the third row is only a button press away from both the second row and trunk, no manual labour here.

ON THE ROAD

The comfort of the Q7 cannot only be experienced in the cabin. Driving it expands this important trait. The Audi feels iron vault solid at all speeds. In the urban crawl use the Q7 is quiet and effortless to operate. The air suspension, which also lowers the rear for easy loading, handles the insulating passengers from the hullabaloo of the road surface conditions associated with the daily grind in the corporate area.

On the highway, the Q7 hunkers down, especially in sport mode, facilitating rather rapid transportation irrespective of the cargo load. It works on the crumbling country roads of inner Jamaica too, shrinking the Audi with flat cornering with precious little deflection from uneven tarmac. The brakes cooperate finely, as does the iconic Quattro all-wheel drive.

The last piece of the Q7 puzzle is the 3-litre turbocharged V6. Smooth is the operative word, as it delves out its 340bhp as necessary. In Sport mode, and on full blast, the accompanying 368lb-ft of torque rolls out across a wide rpm band on its way to a top speed of 155mph.

For the family looking for that one vehicle to do everything, or the executive needing the same ethos of first-class travel, the new Audi Q7 continues to impress either side of that customer base.