Our spy photography agency has spotted a second facelift for the Audi Q7 undergoing testing in Europe’s Arctic north.
Launched in 2015, the second-generation Q7 has already been through one facelift in 2020. That update introduced new headlight and tail-light designs, revised bumpers, a new grille, and a dashboard remodelled to fit two touchscreens.
The second Q7 facelift seems as though it will be less dramatic than the 2020 revision.
There’s a new grille with a flatter top and bottom and a thicker frame. The grille also integrates with Audi’s new two-dimensional white logo.
Accompanying the redesigned single-frame grille are reshaped headlights, and new bumpers with LED driving lights built into the faux air intakes.
We can’t see any changes to the car’s rear. It’s possible there are a small changes under the swirly disguise tape, or, maybe, the updates are being saved for later prototypes.
No word yet on changes to the Q7’s drivetrain options, or interior equipment. We expect there will be updates to the infotainment system, and there should be new trim and colour options too.
It’s unclear when the second Q7 facelift will debut, but we expect it will be launched before the end of 2023.
Like the original Q7, which had a longer-than-normal 10 year production run, the second-generation crossover should stay on sale for at least a decade.
It’s likely Audi will make the current Q7 last as long as possible, as the brand is preparing to become EV-only from the early 2030s, meaning the next all-new Q7 should be an all-electric model.
Last year Audi sold 1205 Q7s in Australia, a drop of almost 27 per cent from 2021.
The Q7 finished in seventh place in the large SUV over $70,000 category, behind the BMW X5 (3111), Mercedes-Benz GLE wagon (3093), Land Rover Defender (1623), Lexus RX (1352), Volvo XC90 (1258), and platform mate Volkswagen Touareg (1222).
It finished ahead of another MLB-based rival, the Porsche Cayenne wagon (858). Although once you add in sales of the Cayenne “coupe” (723), the Q7 falls 376 cars behind its Zuffenhausen sibling.
MORE: Everything Audi Q7
