Used Audi SQ7 for sale: everything you need to know 

The Audi SQ7 takes a large, premium family SUV – the regular Audi Q7 – and adds a significant dose of adrenaline. Big on space, style and power, it’s packed with seven seats and all the technology needed to keep you and a big family comfortable and entertained on a long journey. It also has the engineering to make what is a big SUV somewhat fun to drive, too.

Both petrol and diesel versions of the SQ7 have been made available over the years, giving you options depending on the type of driving you can do. All versions give some serious performance to go with enhanced handling over the standard Q7.

Rivals include other performance SUVs like the Range Rover Sport, Porsche Cayenne and the BMW X7.

The SQ7 has been on sale since 2015, but was given a facelift in 2019 and is due another refresh in 2024. The fact that it’s been around for so long means there are lots of used models at a relatively reasonable price, as long as you don’t mind a few extra miles on the clock.

Should you buy an Audi SQ7?

You’ll be interested in the SQ7 if you need lots of passenger and luggage space and want a premium, luxurious car but don’t want to miss out on entertainment and performance. The SQ7 takes all the comfort and technology attractions from the standard Q7, which means it’s pretty much the best that Audi has to offer.

It has a sumptuous interior that’s beautifully put together from high-quality materials and comes packed with standard features. The infotainment system on earlier cars is excellent even by today’s standards, and very easy to use through a touchpad and rotary dial between the front seats. Post-facelift models have an upgraded system that has a larger screen and better graphics, although the move to a touchscreen system means it’s not as easy to use, especially when on the move.

Space-wise, it’s hard to beat the SQ7. There’s space for seven on three rows of seats, and while the rear-most row is best reserved for children, it’s more spacious than many rivals, The middle-row seats slide and recline independently and the back row can fold down into the floor to create a really substantial boot space.

All this is true of the regular Q7, of course. The SQ7 builds on that by adding some serious power. Early cars were powered by a huge 4.0-litre diesel V8 with 435PS, while post-facelift cars swapped that out for a twin-turbocharged petrol V8 with 507PS – more power, at the expense of fuel consumption (and be warned, it will be expensive to refuel…). Performance is very impressive, despite the SQ7’s size, and it corners well, too. It’s not as nimble as something like a Porsche Cayenne (which doesn’t have seven seats) but it is agile for a car this big, helped by a clever anti-roll system that keeps it composed through the corners. The payoff for this sportiness is a firmer ride than you’ll get in the regular Q7.

Overall, the SQ7 is a cracking performance all-rounder that ticks just about every box, from comfort and space to performance and style.

An Audi SQ7 not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.

What’s the best used Audi SQ7 model to buy?

Choosing a used Audi SQ7 is fairly straightforward – you just need to decide if you want the earlier diesel model or the later petrol version.The later, petrol-powered Q7 has a characterful and very powerful V8 and will give you improved performance in terms of speed over the diesel version, but it will drink through fuel at a much faster rate. And while the upgraded looks and equipment, post-facelift, might appeal, the tech is more usable in the earlier cars. They’ll be more affordable to buy, too.

Trim-wise, the standard SQ7 is very well equipped, but you could always upgrade to the Vorsprung or Black Edition models if you want a few luxury extras such as larger alloy wheels or matrix LED headlights.

Used Audi SQ7 fuel economy and performance

• Audi SQ7 4.0 V8 diesel: Early Audi SQ7s were equipped with a 4.0-litre diesel-powered V8, developing 435PS and a whopping 900Nm of torque. That translated to a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds, and official fuel economy of 39.2mpg (although that was measured using the old NEDC measuring system, which isn’t particularly real-world accurate).
• Audi SQ7 4.0 V8 petrol: The 2019 facelift of the SQ7 saw the end of the diesel engine and the introduction of a twin-turbo 4.0-litre petrol V8. This upped power to 507PS with 770Nm, and a 0-62mph time of just 4.1 seconds. Official fuel economy was now measured in the more realistic WLTP standard, and dropped to a best of just 23.3mpg. From the 2024 facelift, it’ll have a mild-hybrid system attached to improve fuel economy.

What used Audi SQ7 trim levels are available?

There are only a small number of trim levels available with the Audi SQ7. They are:

• Audi SQ7: The basic SQ7 was already well equipped, with 20-inch alloy wheels and adaptive air suspension, as well as the ‘Audi Virtual Cockpit’ digital driver display and a rear-view camera. Post-facelift versions ride on 22-inch wheels as standard.
• Audi SQ7 Black Edition: Once a middle-spec model and then later the entry-level SQ7, the Black Edition – as the name suggests – uses black styling elements rather than chrome on the outside. It rides on 21-inch wheels
• Audi SQ7 Vorsprung: The top-spec pre-facelift SQ7 added 22-inch alloy wheels, clever matrix LED headlights and a black styling pack as standard, along with a head-up display, a Bose sound system, and adaptive cruise control alongside other safety equipment.

Used Audi SQ7 dimensions and boot size 

The Audi SQ7’s exterior dimensions are: 

• Length: 5072mm
• Width: 1970mm
• Height: 1748mm

The Audi SQ7s boot size is:

• 793 litres (with rear seats down), 295 litres (rear seats up)
• 1,921 litres with rear two rows folded

Used Audi SQ7 road tax

Because the rules for Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) changed in April 2017, the price you pay each year for an Audi SQ7 will depend on when it was first registered. Most will be registered after that date and set you back the standard flat rate of tax, plus the surcharge for cars that cost more than £40,000 when new. At the time of writing, that’s £600 a year.

Older SQ7s benefit from the earlier rules, which means an annual charge of £385.

How much is it to insure an Audi SQ7? 

As you might expect, a luxurious, technologically advanced and powerful SUV is not going to be cheap to insure. In fact, it’ll be pricey. Depending on spec, the SQ7 sits in insurance group 49 or 50 (of 50), so be prepared to keep some cash aside for your annual premium.