The new Audi Q7 2026 model has finally arrived, and it brings significant improvements in driving dynamics. The most obvious improvement the new Audi Q7 makes from the old car is in terms of its driving dynamics. The chassis and suspension tweaks should be enough to concern those at BMW, and the V6 diesel remains a very well matched powerplant, even if the new mild-hybrid system hasn’t boosted efficiency as much as we’d like.
After a series of facelifts that kept the old Q7 going for over a decade, Audi has finally brought out a new, third-generation model. Its arrival is timely, because BMW has just taken the wraps off its latest X5 and the Mercedes GLE recently received a substantial mid-life facelift, too. The new car immediately has a problem, though, because it’s around $15,000 more expensive in its base form than the old car, at $97,560.
The diesel unit is an evolution of the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 found in the old Q7, only now it has mild-hybrid assistance. An electric motor helps to boost power to 295 horsepower from 282 horsepower, and torque is up by 22 lb-ft to a colossal 463 lb-ft. The eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive system are familiar from the previous Q7, but what is new is the limited-slip central differential with a preload function that constantly applies pressure to split torque faster between the two axles.
View Price on AmazonThe Q7 was never the sharpest to drive of the large premium SUV cohort, but the tweaks show that Audi has started to focus more on this area, and there’s further good news in this respect. The engine’s new mild-hybrid assistance improves responsiveness by flattening the torque curve for smoother, more consistent acceleration throughout the rev range. Alongside the revised engine there’s a new adaptive air-suspension system, which is an optional extra in other markets, but standard on US models.
That’s a very good thing, because Audi’s engineers have come up with a truly wonderful set-up. In the Balance drive mode it filters out crevices and bumps in the road superbly, even on the largest 23-inch wheels – not something we were able to say about big Audis of old. You don’t feel the need to switch to the Comfort mode, although if you choose to, there’s a bit more pitch and roll which helps if trundling over big speed bumps, but makes the Q7 a little unsettled at speed.
Source: autoexpress.co.uk
