Skip advert
Advertisement

New Audi Q7 facelift brings back plug-in hybrid power

Fresh technology has been added to Audi’s largest SUV for 2024

Updated Audi Q7 in Silver

Earlier this year we saw the Audi Q7 large luxury SUV receive its second facelift, although there was a significant omission of the plug-in hybrid variant. Now, the Q7 plug-in hybrid is back having been available on and off since the current Q7 launched in 2015. For the latest plug-in iteration Audi has thrown as much technology at the large SUV as it could. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Audi is planning to move away from its confusing badging strategy, but this obviously hasn’t come into place just yet and plug-in hybrid buyers will still be confronted by the Audi Q7 55 TFSI e quattro. As before it’ll take aim squarely at the BMW X5 xDrive50e and Mercedes GLE 400 e plug-in hybrids and to a lesser extent, a growing range of similarly-sized, all-electric luxury SUVs. 

Powering the Q7 55 TFSI e is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with 334bhp - the same as you’d find in the mild-hybrid V6 petrol Q7. In the PHEV, this is mated to an electric motor with 174bhp and 460Nm of torque, featuring a more powerful 25.9kWh battery under the boot floor. That’s much more than the old Q7 60 TFSI e’s 17.3kWh battery, meaning all-electric range has doubled from 26 miles to 52 miles.

Total power output of the Q7 PHEV is 388bhp and 600Nm of torque, enabling a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds before the SUV tops out at 149mph (the electric-only top speed is 84mph). The maximum charge rate for the battery is 7.4kW with a 0-100 per cent recharge taking three hours and 45 minutes. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

It’s possible to recharge the battery a little on the move by recovering energy through the braking system. Rechagring only occurs above 40mph and with the driving mode set to ‘charge’ - this mode isn’t offered when the battery has reached 75 per cent of its charge to preserve its health and efficiency.

The Audi Q7 PHEV sits on air suspension and new to the model in 2024 is rear-wheel steering which turns the rear wheels up to five degrees in the opposite direction to the fronts, reducing the turning radius by one metre and boosting manoeuvrability, according to Audi. The electromechanical active roll stabilisation is another new feature and it is said to help reduce body roll while also providing a more precise steering response.

As standard the Q7 PHEV gets matrix LED headlights with the Q7’s new running light signature, a rear view camera, Audi’s ‘Virtual Cockpit plus’ and three-zone automatic climate control. 

Pricing for the Q7 plug-in hybrid hasn’t been revealed yet although we expect it to start from around £75,000 with the top-spec Vorsprung versions sitting near the £100,000 mark.

Can't wait for the new Q7? These are the best large SUVs to buy right now...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best hybrid SUVs to buy 2024
Best hybrid SUVs - header image
Best cars & vans

Best hybrid SUVs to buy 2024

Plenty of SUVs now come with hybrid power, and we’ve picked out the very best buys on today’s market
13 May 2024
New Audi Q8 plug-in hybrid gets a bigger battery and more power
Audi Q8 55 TFSI e plug-in
News

New Audi Q8 plug-in hybrid gets a bigger battery and more power

The 55 TFSI e plug-in powertrain has returned to the range-topping Q8’s line up
24 Apr 2024
2024 Skoda Kodiaq: pricing and UK specs revealed for all-new family SUV
Skoda Kodiaq - front towing a boat
News

2024 Skoda Kodiaq: pricing and UK specs revealed for all-new family SUV

Skoda’s new Kodiaq is bigger than before and will be offered with plug-in hybrid technology
8 Apr 2024
Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024

Most Popular

Cheap EV charging comes to public chargepoints via new ‘Plunge Pricing’ app
Octopus Energy’s Electroverse
News

Cheap EV charging comes to public chargepoints via new ‘Plunge Pricing’ app

Octopus’ ‘Plunge Pricing’ events promise to save electric car drivers an average of £6.50 per charge
17 May 2024
Skoda Scala vs Citroen C4 2024 twin test: which is the best-value family hatchback?
Skoda Scala and Citroen C4 - front tracking
Car group tests

Skoda Scala vs Citroen C4 2024 twin test: which is the best-value family hatchback?

The revised Skoda Scala takes on Citroen’s C4 in the battle to be the best-value family hatchback
18 May 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric at an unbeatable £201 a month
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric at an unbeatable £201 a month

Our Deal of the Day selection for 18 May will appeal to those who want an all-electric family car that’s not a SUV
18 May 2024