It looks like Audi is doing the exact same thing with this second-generation Q7 as they did with the original, which is not to mess too much with its exterior styling.
Then again, that’s perfectly understandable since the automaker’s main focus is to bring their large SUV up to speed with the latest in connectivity and driver-assistance systems so as to give it a proper fighting chance against the likes of BMW’s all-new X5 or Mercedes‘ latest GLE.
What’s different about it?
For starters, the design of the grille has been updated in a way where it now looks a little bit less like the SUV is wearing a mask. The grille (visibly smaller) is now a little more flush with the headlights, which have also been slightly redesigned to feature a downwards kink, sort of like the ones on the all-new Q3, albeit not that exaggerated.
At the rear, the SUV is still wearing its old taillights, but we expect that to change sometime in the future, as more production-ready prototypes will take to the streets.
The interior, while visible through the windows, is heavily camouflaged, which means that changes are coming inside as well. Still, it’s a little unlikely that Audi will do a full dashboard swap and install something like in the Q8. Odds are, interior upgrades will be similar to those received by the A4 facelift, which means a new steering wheel, new software, better materials, that sort of thing. We wouldn’t mind being wrong though.
As for any powertrain upgrades, no official info has surfaced as of yet, although we expect any future iteration of the Q7 to be more fuel efficient and also kinder to the environment, compared to the current model.
Audi will probably unveil their refreshed signature large SUV sometime next year, sending it out to battle the likes of the X5, GLE, XC90, Range Rover Sport and so on.