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.

[XM5ER]

Thanks chaps. Some useful info there. 35mpg is astonishing. It has a lovely v8 wuffle at tick over as well.

[PhilboSE]

The V8 noise is not entirely authentic…though if you turn off the enhancers it’s still present, just not as pronounced.

Getting back to your original question, I guess if any of the SQ7 specific bits go wrong then no doubt they’ll be expensive to replace. The Brembo front callipers are absolutely vast…

However all car parts are expensive now so I guess it comes down to how reliable they are. I’m not aware of any horror stories; I bought a 5 year warranty on my car from new as a lot of the tech was new and unique to the SQ7, but it’s 7 years old now and never missed a beat. The tech was shared with the Bentayga and I think Cayenne so it’s spread around a bit more now.

[yellowstreak]

The diesel SQ7 is fantastic. Its returned similar MPG to the earlier 4.2 V8 that we had, but with much better performance. We have run a 2019 SQ7 over 70k miles now with zero mechanical problems. Other consumables such aa tires, discs and pads are not cheap, but you wouldn't expect them to be.

Edited by yellowstreak on Monday 8th July 10:18

[PhilboSE]

You must have had a very light foot in the 4.2 or a very heavy foot in the SQ7…I ran a 4.2 for 8 years and it was much heavier on the juice…I could only trouble 30mpg on a long run with the 4.2, when I get 40mpg on the same journey in the SQ7.

[ducnick]

As the owner of a 50 TDI q7 I would say go for the sq7 for the following reasons.

1. The 48v starter generator on the Audi / vw v6’s fails. The v8 uses a different part which is not prone to the same failure.

2. In a recent 2200 mile trip to France I averaged 36mpg with a roof box. If the sq7 can get 36mpg or better then it’s a no brainer to have the bigger engine.

3. The q7 sufferers from throttle pedal lag as a result of its emissions tune. The newer petrol sq7 has similar lag apparently. The diesel sq7 is less prone to this issue.

4. When I did a few insurance comparisons recently, the difference in premium between the sq7 and q7 was minimal.

[Aluminati]

I was looking at SQ7’s, because, V8. However, bottled it and got an SQ5. With 2 years Audi warranty. It as quick as you need.

[VeeReihenmotor6]

Doesn't the Q7 3.0 V6 TDi (pre 2019) have an issue with chocolate cam gears failing (due to lack of lubrication) requiring £4k (inc labour) per side to fix?

I was considering one and was advised to aim for post 2019, those badged 45/50 TDi as the engine is different though instead you have to deal with the 48v issues.

On reflection if the SQ7 is the same price I think I'd take my chances on one of those instead.