Comparison: Audi Q7 New vs Old - How Different

Audi's New Q7 vs Old Q7

The second generation Audi Q7 crossover for the year 2015-2016 is here. A casual look at the new SUV may not reveal much as majority of changes have been made under the skin. So to help you put things in perspective we have created a pictorial comparison between New Audi Q7 versus Old Audi Q7.

Audi Q7 Exterior: New Vs Old
Audi has not played much with its trademark conservative design approach while building the new version of its flagship SUV. There is nothing revolutionary about the exterior of the 2016 Q7 when compared with the earlier generation. But yes it does look sleeker and more youthful than before.

Side Profile: Audi Q7 New vs Old

Front: Audi Q7 New vs Old

Rear: Audi Q7 New vs Old

The designers at Audi managed to make it appears lower, wider and longer giving it a more wagon like look even though it is 1.5 inches shorter, 0.6 inch narrower and of same height.

This has been made possible with help of innovative design elements like lowering the front end of the new Q7 to make it appear less massive than the 1st gen model. Other styling cues include a sharper rendition of Audi's hexagonal shaped single frame radiator grille (as on face-lifted Audi Q3), a gently tapering roofline making the SUV appear lower than before and a more pronounced side profile crease giving it a more chiseled look.

Q7’s front and rear appear more edgy in comparison to the rounded looks of the outgoing model. The headlight housing has been completely redesigned into a more angular design packed with matrix LED clusters similar to those on the Audi TT. The LED DRLs inside the head lamp are shaped like a double arrow, lending it a sharper look. Taillights have become rectangular and now come with dynamic turn signals. Also new at the back is the redesigned license plate enclosure and the twin exhaust unit which is now rectangular. The wide tailgate has been carried over from the previous model.

Overall, the next generation Audi Q7 looks more macho than before but at the same time it has that pretty vibe to it, which is definitely new.

Audi Q7 Interior: New Vs Old
Audi claims that its 2016 SUV not only offers more headroom, but also features a longer cabin. There is an additional 0.8 inches between the first and second rows of seats, and head room has increased by 1.6 inches and 0.9 inches in the first and second rows, respectively.

Dashboard: Audi Q7 New vs Old

One of the most striking differences between the old and the new Q7 is the all-new dashboard design giving it a virtual cockpit feel. It comes with a minimalist design theme with only a few buttons visible, a 7 inch screen that rises from the dash and Audi TT sports car inspired digital instrument cluster. All the drama is further enhanced by the VW Passat borrowed HVAC vent louver that appears to stretch through dashboard’s entire width even though the actual air openings are still in the usual locations.

Audi Q7 Hidden Changes: New Vs Old
Audi has successfully managed to lower the new Q7’s overall center of mass by 2 inches, thus greatly improving big SUV’s handling abilities. This has been achieved primarily by mounting the engine lower in the chassis in comparison to the first generation model.

Front 3-Quarter: Audi Q7 New vs Old

Rear: Audi Q7 New vs Old

Front: Audi Q7 New vs Old

Dashboard: Audi Q7 New vs Old

Another significant improvement has been in reducing the wind resistance or the co-efficient of drag from 0.37 to 0.32. It has been largely achieved by fine tuning the exterior elements along with the underbody that’s almost completely lined. This makes the new Audi Q7 much more aerodynamic than the 1st generation model and more fuel efficient as well.

The 1st generation Q7 shared a platform with the Volkswagen Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne. But since it was never offered with a low-range transfer case, its off-road capabilities were always limited. For the new generation Q7, Audi has switched to Volkswagen’s latest MLB Evo platform. Infact Q7 is the first SUV to make use of this advance platform and this has enabled Audi to offer loads of comfort and assistance systems previously unavailable in the vehicle.

Thanks to the new lightweight MLB modular-longitudinal architecture along with the use of ultra-high-strength steel, and the extensive use of aluminum, the new Q7 is about 325 kilograms lighter in 3.0 TDI form than its predecessor. This makes it more agile on and off road as well as more fuel efficient.

2016 Audi Q7 comes with a new all-wheel steering system. This system uses an electric spindle to turn the rear wheels by as much as 5 degrees and helps enhance the steering response. At low speeds the rear wheels steer opposite the front wheels, making the vehicle easy to park while also reducing the turning radius by up to 3.3 feet. At higher speeds the rear wheels follow the movement of the front wheels to aid stability. Thus you can expect the new Audi Q7 to be more maneuverable in comparison to last generation model.

For the first time buyers will have an option to get their new Q7 in diesel plug-in hybrid mode along with conventional options. It will come with a 3.0-liter TDI V6, electric motor, and 17.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. It’s the first plug-in to use a diesel V6 and all-wheel drive.

1st generation Audi Q7 crossover ruled the roads for almost 8 years. The new 2015-2016 Audi Q7 is better in every way. It rides on a new advance platform, is much lighter than before, has more cabin space with loads of technology fed into it and seems determined to conquer new frontiers.