Imagine cruising thru the winding roads of Park City, Utah, the solar casting golden sun shades over the mountains, as you settle into the plush cabin of the 2025 Audi Q7. The excessive-tech interior envelopes you in pricey, and the engine hums with diffused power. Moments later, you turn to the sportier Q8, its sleek coupe-like profile reducing through the air. In this First Drive BloCarBuzz, I discover how those refreshed Audi SUVs stability circle of relatives practicality and dynamic performance, providing wonderful flavors of luxury for 2025. How do the Q7 and Q8 stack up in phrases of design, technology, and powertrain updates? Let’s inspect.
Comparison
The 2025 Audi Q7 and Q8 proportion a platform however serve particular functions. The Q7, in its 2nd generation thinking about the truth that 2015, is Audi’s family-orientated SUV, competing with the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. It seats up to seven, making it pleasant for large families. The Q8, launched in 2019, is a sportier two-row SUV, taking over the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. Its coupe-like design prioritizes style and driving dynamics over greater seating.
Here’s how they evaluate:
| Feature | 2025 Audi Q7 | 2025 Audi Q8 |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | Up to 7 | Up to 5 |
| Base Engine | 2.0L I-4 (261 hp) | 3.0L V-6 (335 hp) |
| Top Engine | 4.0L V-8 (500 hp, SQ7) | 4.0L V-8 (500 hp, SQ8) |
| 0-60 MPH (sec) | 6.7 (base) – 4.4 (SQ7) | 5.5 (base) – 4.0 (SQ8) |
| Starting Price | ~$61,795 | ~$76,990 |
| Cargo Space | 12.8 – 70.2 cu-ft | 28.5 – 60.7 cu-ft |
The Q7’s lower beginning fee and 1/three-row seating offer it an side for families, however its base engine feels underpowered in comparison to the Q8’s fashionable V6. The Q8, at the same time as pricier, offers a more attractive energy and a modern-day-day aesthetic. Both face stiff opposition from extra recent systems, but Audi’s updates hold them applicable.
Key Insights
Design
Both SUVs exercise Audi’s iconic singleframe grille, but their personalities diverge. The Q7’s boxier form emphasizes application, even as the Q8’s sloping roofline exudes sportiness. For 2025, each get keep of updated Matrix LED headlights and hind lights with customizable signatures, adding a futuristic contact. New wheel designs (21-23 inches) and hues like Chili Red and Sakhir Gold Metallic beautify their enchantment. While the Q7’s diffused redecorate continues its understated elegance, the Q8’s wider fender flares and larger bumper openings deliver it a bolder appearance.
Performance
The Q7 offers three engines: a 2.0L faster 4-cylinder (261 hp, 273 lb-ft), a three.0L turbo V6 (335 hp, 369 lb-toes), and the SQ7’s four.0L twin-rapid V8 (500 hp, 568 lb-toes). The Q8 does no longer have a four-cylinder engine, starting with the V6 and finishing with the V8 in the SQ8. Acceleration ranges from 6.7 seconds (Q7 base) to four.Zero seconds (SQ8) for 0-60 mph, in step with MotorTrend.
During my pressure, the Q7’s V6 emerge as clean for highway cruising, even though the bottom engine felt underwhelming. The Q8’s V6 delivered quicker responses, and the SQ8’s V8 was exhilarating, in particular in Dynamic mode, in which the exhaust roared. Quattro all-wheel strength and adaptive air suspension, that’s general on SQ models, make them every extra steady to force and additional cushty to ride.
Technology and the Interior
Inside, each SUVs feature Audi’s MIB 3 infotainment device with twin 10.1-inch touchscreens and a 12.Three-inch Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster. New for 2025 are customizable concern subjects thru the Audi App Store, including aptitude to the displays and ambient lights. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a head-up show are standard, consistent with Car and Driver.
The Q7’s cabin is spacious, but the third row is tight for adults, high-quality for youngsters or short trips. The Q8 offers more second-row legroom and load vicinity (28.5 cu-ft vs. Q7’s 12.Eight cu-ft with 1/three row up). Premium substances and non-compulsory capabilities like massaging seats elevate the enjoy, even though the touchscreen-heavy controls may be distracting.
Driving Experience
The Q7 excels as an advanced cruiser, its adaptive air suspension absorbing bumps for a serene adventure, excellent for long highway drives. With sportier tuning, the Q8 feels more agile and handles twisty roads precisely. Both manipulate properly for their size, with minimum body roll and responsive steering, as stated by way of BlogCarBuzz. Drive modes (Comfort, Dynamic, Auto) permit you to tailor the revel in, with Dynamic sprucing throttle and suspension response.
Practicality
Although the Q7’s 0.33 row is smaller than that of rivals similar to the BMW X7, it is nonetheless a widespread promoting component. Cargo location levels from 12.Eight cu-feet (zero.33 row up) to 70.2 cu-ft (all rows down). The Q8, with out a 3rd row, offers 28.Five cu-feet within the back of the second row, increasing to 60.7 cu-toes. Both consist of sensible skills like hands-loose liftgates and ok garage, regular with Edmunds.
Conclusion
The 2025 Audi Q7 and Q8 are delicate high-priced SUVs that cater to superb audiences. The Q7 is a flexible family hauler, blending consolation and technology, even though its 0.33 row and base engine have obstacles. The Q8, with its sporty design and more potent wellknown performance, appeals to style-conscious consumers who don’t need more seating. While their growing antique structures face greater latest opposition, Audi’s updates make sure they stay compelling selections.
Call to Action:Have you pushed the 2025 Audi Q7 or Q8? Share your thoughts inside the remarks! For more high-priced SUV critiques, test out our BMW X7 evaluate or join BloCarBuzz for the cutting-edge day insights.
