Update (April 8, 2025): ‘Audi moving upmarket with new launches’ section added, and ‘Price & Release Date’ revised.
The current, second-generation Audi Q7 has been on the market since December 2014 and has undergone two facelifts. While these updates were substantial, the model has begun to show its age and lacks the appeal of newer competitors.
The third-generation Q7 will likely be Audi’s last iteration of the nameplate with an internal combustion engine, expected to remain in production until around 2035. Here are our expectations from the next-gen Q7 which will arrive in time to compete with the next-gen BMW X5, and the recently refreshed Volvo XC90.
Design
The next-gen Audi Q7 will feature a noticeably different design compared to the current SUV. Spy images suggest a more commanding front-end, incorporating split headlamps and a redesigned octagonal radiator grille. A larger lower air intake will contribute to a sportier and more aggressive stance, as seen in these spy shots captured by our friend Wilco Blok.
Other notable exterior changes include either flush door handles or button-type entry latches (similar to the Mustang Mach-E), and a revised rear-end, where the tail lamps are now connected by a horizontal light strip, a common trend in modern premium SUVs.
Interior & Features
Going by spy shots, Audi is aiming to make the new Q7 with one of the most tech-packed interiors in its class. A reworked, highly digital cabin will introduce an asymmetric dashboard, with a focus on streamlined usability. The new layout is expected to replace the previous dual-screen setup with a single central touchscreen for a simpler interface.
A notable addition is the passenger touchscreen, which will enable entertainment features such as video streaming, gaming, and navigation assistance. This display is likely to be sourced from BHTC, a supplier known for automotive infotainment solutions.
Other refinements are expected to include improved third-row seating space, capacitive steering buttons, a retained physical volume control, and a new, space-efficient electronic gear selector positioned in the center console, as we saw in the new Q5.
Specifications
Underpinned by the PPC platform, a rebranded and refined version of the MLB evo, the next-gen Q7 is expected to see notable improvements in electrification. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant is expected to feature a larger battery pack, possibly around 25 kWh, allowing for a longer electric-only range. In the U.S., where the current Q7 lacks a PHEV option, the new generation could finally introduce this powertrain.
Audi sees plug-in hybrids as a key part of its lineup during the transition to an all-electric range, adding ten new PHEV models by the end of this year. The next-generation Q7, which is a key model in the lineup, should feature the PHEV variant as more of a core offering.
Charging capabilities should also improve, with DC fast-charging speeds anticipated at 40-50 kW. The EPA-estimated electric range could be just above 40 miles, making the hybrid version a more viable alternative for daily commuting without relying on gasoline. We’re also expecting a new combustion engine, where all variants of the standard SUV feature a 48V mild-hybrid system for improved efficiency.
Audi moving upmarket with new launches
“We’re moving upmarket,” Audi UK boss Jose Miguel Aparicio told Auto Express, in an interaction in February 2025. “It’s less about volume, more about value.”
He pointed to the new A6, Q6 e-tron, and Q5 as key to shifting Audi’s focus to higher segments. These models raise average prices and attract a different customer. Aparicio said Audi must back this move with strong products and a better experience at every touchpoint.
Aparicio believes Audi can rise within the premium bracket without clashing with Bentley or Porsche. According to him, it’s not a major overhaul, but a natural evolution. This could mean a premium pricing strategy for the Q7, with more standard features and tech.
Price & Release Date
The next-generation Audi Q7 is expected to launch in 2026. With the Trump administration slapping a 25% tariff on all vehicle imports from Europe on April 3, Audi would need to assemble the incoming model in the U.S. to circumvent the additional cost, and retain a competitive sub-80,000 dollar pricing.
Unlike rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Audi doesn’t have a production line in the country, and may have to rely on VW’s facility in Tennessee to assemble its compact and midsize volume models until it comes up with a long-term fix. At the Annual Media Conference held on March 18, Audi confirmed that it will launch 10 new models in North America by the end of 2026, and that it is indeed consideration various options to additionally localize cars in North America.
More details, including powertrain options and final specifications, should emerge closer to its official debut, and we’ll be sure to update this page as and when we have new information.
Featured image: Next-gen Q7 test prototype captured in Ingolstadt, Germany, by our friend Wilco Blok.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
