Audi Q7, SQ7, Q8, SQ8 and RSQ8 (2025) First Drive Review

We seized the opportunity to attend the Audi Q7 and Q8 range launch in Cape Town this week! With just two mornings to explore the entire lineup, we hoped to get behind the wheel of the formidable new RSQ8 and a more affordable Q7 or Q8. Fortunately, our wish was granted!

Audi's Q7: From Pikes Peak quattro concept car to luxurious, large family transport

Where it all started!

Audi has seen fit not to fiddle with a recipe that gets rave reviews, and the latest Q7 (and Q8 range) have been nipped, tucked, and improved to offer more class, features, and customisation to customers. It surely has come a long way since its concept, the 2003 Audi Pikes Peak quattro in the image above!

The 2025 Audi Q7 in Platinum Edition guise.

Related: Facelifted Audi Q7 now available in SA soon - new features and pricing

What's new in the Q7 for 2025?

Styling changes - less is more

Audi's approach of avoiding excessive enhancements ensures that its models remain current and fresh. This strategy helps retain their value and also keeps them desirable for an extended period. 

Viewed from the front, the new, more upright Audi Singleframe grille—black on the Black Edition and chrome on the Platinum Edition—is immediately noticeable. It's been moved up ever-so-slightly, while the colour-framed air intakes have also been restyled.

The DRLs have also been placed higher for a more 'expressive' look that emphasises the SUV's width. 2-D rings up front and new B-pillar badging enhance the premium ambience.

Its styling is generally sharper but not light years apart from its predecessor.

Q7 Platinum Edition models (seen above) are comprehensively kitted out with 21-inch Audi Sport wheels, S line exterior, a panoramic sunroof, towbar, adaptive air suspension, red brake callipers, matrix LED headlamps, S Line interior package, and sport seats.

2021 Audi Q7 45 TDI quattro launch report

The overall shape of the Q7 remains unchanged, but you can change the OLED light signature.

Q7 Black Edition models add 22-inch Audi Sport wheels, a black styling package, black badging, black roof rails and privacy glass.

There is also a myriad of wheel choices and new exterior colours.

Related: 2021 Audi Q7 45TDI quattro S Line Review (2021)

The black package adds some visual drama.

Lighting - more choices and features

On the lighting side, all Q7 models are fitted with high-intensity Matrix LEDs, with OLED or Audi laser lights available. From 70 km/h, the latter increases your range far enough to peer into the future. The OLED units boast another party trick: If another vehicle comes within two meters of a stationary Q7 from behind, the system automatically activates all the digital OLED segments to prevent an accident. The light signature of these OLEDs can also be changed via your control centre inside the SUV.

Related: Pricing revealed of the updated Audi A3 and RS3

The rear lights have new functionalities for enhanced safety.

Engines - petrol power for the win (for now)

The 2025 diesel Q7 model is not available yet, so should you yearn for a diesel immediately, you'll only find one in the Q8 range. In the Q7 lineup, a 3.0-litre V6 (55 TFSI) is available in either Platinum Edition or Black Edition trim. If you are willing to wait, a 45 TDI Q7 will be on sale later this year.

The 2025 SQ7 TFSI excels with a potent 4.0-litre V8 engine (373kW/770Nm!) with a cylinder deactivation system. This technology shuts off four of the eight cylinders when you don't need all that power, saving you fuel and enabling you to escape quietly. It is powerful and only about 0.5 seconds slower than the RS Q8! These SQ models all get adaptive air suspension sports as well. So, if you're a family man with petrol in your veins, this would be the one to get.

The SQ7 is on the receiving end of a new powerplant!

All-wheel steering has also become a standard feature on the entire Q7 and Q8 range, which makes parking in the city a breeze (Audi says it reduces the turning circle by a metre!) by pivoting the rear wheels up to five degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels. Out on the open road, the rear wheels align with the front to provide more stability.  

The SQ 7 impresses with features like standard all-wheel-steering. We didn't have a chance to drive it, though.

View the entire list of all standard and optional specs and pricing for both the Audi Q7 and Audi SQ 7 models here.

Q7 Space, technology, and practicality

The Q7 55 TFSI quattro Black Edition (R 1 987 900) was assigned to us on the second day of the launch, and before we set off, I had a chance to open the boot and poke around, and scoot into the adjustable rear seats that also feature a reclining function.

Our belongings drowned in the mammoth boot!

This is a serious luxury family vehicle, even if grey is not my first colour choice. The Valcona leather seats with S embossing and a rhombus pattern are a free option, but for 'sports seats plus' up front, you'll have to pay R25 500. The Q7 is now available as standard with seven seats.

Our Q7 55TFSI quattro companion for the day in Black Edition trim.

The Q7'S wider centre console, positioned centrally between the front seats, includes the gear selector and two cup holders. Positioned at the lower centre stack is a touchscreen for the climate controls, alongside another directly above Audi’s MIB3 infotainment system. 

Grey is a practical colour for families; it's darker than in the photos.

Three full seats in the second row, along with two more seats in row three (that flatten completely, exposing a gigantic cargo area), are ideal for shuttling children and grandparents in first-class comfort. They have access to their preferred seating and air-conditioning settings.

Who needs a Mercedes-Benz V-Class?

Driving the Q7

Because we nabbed the only RS Q8 the previous day, I thought we needed something more sensible like the aforementioned Q7 55TFSI quattro Black Edition; not that sensible means sedate, because this 'entry-level' Q7 engine packs a serious power punch, all thanks to a 3.0-litre V6 with 250kW and 500 Nm of torque, and is capable of doing 0 - 100 km/h in a superb 5.6 seconds before topping out at 250 km/h, which is about the going rate for the Autobahn in Germany. 

Buying used? Here's what you need to know about the previous 2021 model

As we made our way from Le Franschhoek hotel to the infamous pass, I could feel the standard air suspension working because the ride is just next-level pliant, and as I followed the bends and twisties leading to either Grabouw or Villiersdorp, I was stumped - there is absolutely no body roll; the Q7 seems to defy gravity and all other natural laws.

You'd never guess that this Q7 wasn't a performance SUV!

The drive embodies pure sophistication, with silky-smooth gear transitions, a whisper-quiet cabin that amplifies the crystal-clear sound of the standard Bang & Olufsen audio system, and a potent engine that yearns to unleash its power. This seamless blend of smoothness and eagerness is further enhanced by the 48-volt mild-hybrid system, now standard across all Q7 and Q8 models, which subtly boosts performance while maintaining the refinement

The complexity of the infotainment system needs to be tweaked. However, neither my co-driver nor I could deactivate the lane-keep assistance system, which was a selected option in our test model.

Classy, right? But the infotainment system is not without its faults.

The fully digital control panel can also make it tricky to change climate control settings when on the move. The voice control system also speaks like a robot and commands like 'increase the temperature' don't yield results. Hopefully, Audi will upgrade its upcoming third-generation model's infotainment 'intelligence' to bring it more in line with its other premium competitors.

But this is no biggie—not when you're piloting a very large car that somehow handles like a hatchback. I'm sure the Audi experts at the dealership will show you an easy shortcut to remove or activate these systems.

Audi's Q8: The ultimate SUV Coupé

The red Audi SQ8 with a Black Package is a sight for sore eyes.

I'm not usually a huge fan of sports activity coupes, but I appreciate what they bring.  The Q8 sits at the top of Audi's SUV lineup and is known for its head-turning athletic styling and performance-oriented features. For those unfamiliar with the Q-family's nomenclature, the Q8 is a sports coupé version of the Q7 SUV range.

As far as SUV-coupés go, Audi builds the best-looking ones, and the Q8 looks great with this Platinum Edition pack.

Both the Q8 55 TFSI quattro Platinum Edition (seen above) and 55 TFSI Black Edition models were available on launch, sporting similar spec levels, output and performance figures as its longer-length Q7 sibling, along with the aforementioned Q8 45 TDI models (also available in Platinum and Black Edition trim) and the two SQ8s (namely the SQ8 TFSI quattro, with 373 kW and 770Nm at R2 640 500, and the TFSI quattro Black Edition with the same power output, at R2 675 500), but we only had a go in the RS Q8, because we were the first to arrive on the scene. It was available, but more about that in a moment.

Performance-wise, the SQ8 (seen above) and SQ7 aren't too far behind the range-topping RS Q8.

If you don't have RS Q8 money to spend, you'd be happy to know that the SQ8s will fulfil your need for speed and power; they have the same mean and menacing 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 as the SQ7 doing its bidding and will complete the obligatory 0-100 km/h sprint in only 4.1 seconds.

View the full list of standard and optional specs and pricing for the Audi Q8 and SQ8 here.

Audi RS Q8 - Your everyday road-and-track monster

When we arrived early at Cape Town International Airport, no soul had been there to claim the only RS Q8 in Mzansi for the first day of the route, so my co-driver and I jumped at the chance. I would take the first shift, and after taking some photos of this magnificent beast, I was so excited that I drove off with my handbag on the car's roof! But first, I made my co-driver rev the RS Q8 properly to get first-hand aural experience of the newly developed exhaust system, which sounds particularly underworldly.

Who wouldn't be able to resist a face (and power) like this?

The reason for my enthusiasm? Under the RS Q8 Performance hood lies Audi’s most formidable V8 engine, producing a jaw-dropping 471kW and 850Nm of torque (up from the previous model's 441kW and 800Nm). 

With its acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, the RS Q8 establishes itself as Audi's most powerful series-produced combustion vehicle.

Petrolheads will marvel at the RS Q8's ability to dominate both roads and tracks. It has already shattered the SUV lap record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, clocking a time of 7:36.698 minutes, making it the undisputed champion of the Green Hell. It is priced at R3 266 100.

The racing theme continues inside - we love the suede-covered steering wheel.

(Also, I did find my handbag again, as someone from Audi picked it up inside the valet parking area!)

Styling and customisation

On the outside, the RS Q8 showcases a reimagined design that commands attention. A reworked front apron with a striking honeycomb structure and matte grey elements underscores its flagship status. The rear view is equally dazzling, featuring dual oval tailpipes and a sporty diffuser. New Matrix LED headlights and customisable digital OLED taillights enhance visibility and let your style shine with 5 unique light signatures, rather than 4 in other Q7 and Q8 models.

People wrestled us for the keys but did not prevail.

Prospective RS Q8 owners have a smorgasbord of wheel, interior, and exterior colour options available, such as lighter alloy wheels, RS design packages, and tech features like the dynamic package plus, which was fitted on our test model, and an RS sport exhaust system with gloss black tailpipes and a more guttural roar.

Driving the RS Q8

What struck me immediately was how effortless it is to drive, which will probably trick you into thinking that you're a much more competent driver than you are! Not to mention how good it feels to hold that Alcantara suede steering wheel that prevents your palms from sweating. 

To our enormous disappointment, however, Cape Town's N2 proved too congested to fully (or even partially) unleash the car's potential. When we finally ventured towards Grabouw to tackle the first mountain pass with its enticing hairpin bend, we were confronted with a heavy truck procession.

It's fast and furious, so you need somewhere to stretch its legs a bit!

There was a significant amount of slow traffic on the first part of the Franschhoek Pass, making it difficult to safely overtake. When the slowpoke in front finally pulled over at the viewpoint, I had about 3 km of the pass left, which afforded me a few minutes of bliss, compliments of the brand's most advanced driving technology that keeps everything neatly in check, like the new-and-improved self-locking centre differential for sharper cornering, the adaptive sports air suspension and (optional) electromechanical active roll stabilisation. Its main focus is to reduce lateral body movements, giving the vehicle that gravity-defying feeling.

This is when you want to be in the hot seat.

Standard all-wheel steering (as seen in the Q7 and Q8 ranges) also assists with the car's nimbleness, and ceramic brakes provide ample stopping power.

I was constantly aware of the raw power at play and had to exercise much restraint!

View all the 2025 Audi RS Q8's standard specs, options, and pricing here.

The Verdict

From a styling and performance perspective, in my book, the RS Q8 has already won the battle against the in-your-face, shouty cars like the BMW X6 M competition (R3 341 901) and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S Edition 1 (R 3 244 493), even though the Audi infotainment system is not the most user-friendly. The Land Rover Defender Octa (R3 499 100) is a bit pricier, although its performance figures are more or less the same; I still prefer the Q8-range shape, so I'll stick with my original choice.

Track ready, but won't be too raucous for the daily grind.

Please sign me up for the other models in the Q7 and Q8 ranges once I've picked the right lottery numbers. The most affordable Q7 in the range will do nicely—I won't even add any extras!

Watch this space as we test these bad boys out soon for a full review.

Specs and pricing

Audi Q7

Audi SQ7

Audi RS Q8