Q7 vs SQ7 (2016/17 vintage)

[XM5ER]

I might be able to pick up an SQ7 at a Q7 price (from a dealer that is struggling to shift it), question is should I?

What is the difference in real world running costs and just how big could the bills get on the SQ7 if things go wrong. I hear good things about the MPG of the v8, how realistic is it? My E350 rarely goes above 34mpg, will I get similar for a motorway commute?

Any major pitfalls of either car?

Thanks in advance?

[SteBrown91]

I’ve heard the 48v mild hybrid system in these has a habit of failing, which is very very expensive to replace.

[XM5ER]

Neither of those car at this age have a hybrid. There was an etron variant around but wouldnt touch it with a barge pole.

[SteBrown91]

XM5ER said:

Neither of those car at this age have a hybrid. There was an etron variant around but wouldnt touch it with a barge pole.

I’m fairly sure the sq7 diesel was one of the first cars with a 48v system as it powered various things including spinning the turbo up - it just wasn’t called a “hybrid” system.

[Worzel]

We had a 2018 SQ7 for a few years. Amazing car! Fuel varied between 30 and 40 mpg depending on journey type, the acceleration was immense for a car of it's size. It does have 48V as mentioned above, didn't have any issues with ours.

Only point I would make is that consumables were not cheap. Front discs and pads were circa £1250 from an Audi dealer, less obviously from a third party. I ran ours with an extended Audi warranty but ultimately didn't require it as we had very few issues. Main one was a worn through air line on the air suspension, covered by warranty and form memory had a bullet-in related to it and a slightly modified bracket or routing to prevent it happening again.

I'm currently looking for something to replace our A6 Allroad and am very tempted to get a facelift version SQ7, question is diesel or gasoline next time.....

[PhilboSE]

The diesel SQ7 is a great car and almost no reason not to get it over a “normal” Q7. Mine has a lifetime average of 35mpg which is amazing given the performance and bulk of the car. It does have a 48V system, this isn’t a hybrid in any sense, it just powers the electric compressor for near instant throttle response, and the adaptive suspension if the car has that option as part of the Dynamic Pack - which most don’t, because it was a £6500 option, but the driving experience is a bit less without it. I haven’t heard of any major issues with the 48V system, it was shared with quite a few cars in the wider VAG family.

Insurance might be something to check, premiums for some people had a major jump in the last year depending on postcode.

Otherwise the SQ7 is pretty much the same car as the Q7, just with the best diesel engine that will ever go into a car - and an amazing drivetrain & suspension if you get one with the Dynamic Pack - adaptive suspension, e-diff and 4WS.