Audi has fundamentally reshaped its flagship three-row SUV. The redesigned Q7 eliminates the turbocharged four-cylinder engine entirely, forcing buyers into six-cylinder territory across the lineup. Base pricing climbs to $72,195, a nearly $9,000 jump from the previous generation's starting point.
This move reflects Audi's broader strategy to shed entry-level powerplants and push customers toward more profitable engine options. The outgoing Q7 offered a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as its accessible entry point. That's gone. Buyers now face a lineup built around larger displacement engines that command higher margins and appeal to premium-segment shoppers willing to pay for performance.
The price increase signals confidence in the new Q7's design and feature set, but it also prices out a segment of traditional Audi buyers. A near-$9,000 bump represents roughly 14 percent over the previous base, which exceeds typical inflation adjustments in the luxury SUV market.
Audi joins other German premium makers in consolidating engine portfolios toward six-cylinder and larger options. BMW and Mercedes have pursued similar tactics, culling smaller displacement mills to simplify production and improve per-unit profitability. The strategy works when demand stays strong, but it narrows the addressable market for buyers seeking luxury three-row capability on a tighter budget.
The new Q7 does arrive with genuine updates. Its redesigned exterior sharpens Audi's SUV aesthetic, while the interior adds technology and material upgrades expected in a refreshed luxury vehicle. Those improvements justify some price growth, though the magnitude suggests Audi is also using this generation to deliberately shift its customer demographic upmarket.
For shoppers cross-shopping the Q7 against the BMW X7 or Mercedes-Benz GLE