Audi is refreshing its SUV lineup with an all-new Q7 and North America-exclusive SQ7, both arriving for the 2027 model year. The standard Q7 will feature a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 producing 429 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque, while the SQ7 borrows the 591-hp V8 from the RS7 performance sedan.

Both vehicles use ZF's eight-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive, and Audi claims these are the quickest-accelerating versions yet. The SQ7 gets adaptive air suspension standard, while the Q7 offers it as an option. A new third mode lowers the SQ7 by over an inch for improved handling dynamics.

Design updates include more pronounced curves and subtle creases compared to the outgoing model. The Q7 inherits the digital matrix LED headlights from the upcoming Q9, featuring 25,600 individual pixels. However, US-spec models only display hazard icons when parked, unlike European versions that can communicate warnings while moving.

The SQ7's dynamic turn signals can project onto road surfaces at night, improving visibility for pedestrians and cyclists. Without a plug-in hybrid option, these models focus purely on performance and luxury as Audi competes against BMW's X5 and Mercedes GLE in the premium SUV segment.

Audi's strategy targets American buyers who want V8 power without the full-size footprint, positioning the SQ7 as a unique offering in the midsize luxury SUV market.

The absence of hybrid variants suggests Audi is prioritizing performance over efficiency in this refresh, which could limit appeal as competitors embrace electrification.

These updates arrive amid Audi's broader shift toward electric vehicles, making the gasoline-powered SQ7 a temporary indulgence rather than a long-term strategy.

US customers get exclusive features like road-projecting turn signals, but the lack of hybrid options may disappoint environmentally conscious luxury buyers.