Forget about the controversially styled Audi Nuvolari supercar for just a moment, because Audi has reaffirmed its commitment to V8 engines in America in a big way with a new generation of V8-powered 2027 Audi SQ7. What you see here is the all-new third-generation SQ7, alongside its Q7 counterpart, and the big news is that there isn't a hybrid in sight — just two V-shaped engine options including a V8 that's got RS power levels.The mid-size luxury SUVs have evolved in their rivalry against the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and BMW X5, and with a bigger Q9 on the table, have lost their place as Audi's biggest SUVs on sale. Ahead of today's official reveal, CarBuzz was among select media invited to Germany ahead of time to see the new SUVs. Here's what you need to know. Engine Options: Two Flavors Of V-Power Audi Audi's gone power-hungry for the 2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7. Kicking things off in the non-S model is a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine — no hybrid nonsense here — putting out 429 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. That's nearly 100 hp more than the model it replaces (335 hp). Between the engine and Audi's signature quattro all-wheel drive, now with a new limited-slip center differential with preload functionality, an eight-speed automatic transmission handles shift-duty, dispatching the zero-to-60 mph sprint in 4.8 seconds (0.7 quicker than the 2026 model) before it reaches a top speed of 130 mph.Audi But the SQ7 is the one we want to talk about the most, as it keeps the V8 alive for Audi with an extra dose of attitude. As before, it's a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, but it now has thesame power as the RS Q8— 591 hp and 590 lb-ft. That's 91 hp and 23 lb-ft more than before. With the aid of a rear-biased, sportier quattro system with an electronically controlled locking rear differential, it'll now blast past 60 mph from a standstill in 3.7 seconds (0.3 quicker than the 2026) and top out at 155 mph on summer tires or 130 mph on all-seasons. That's BMW X5 M territory. Wheels, Brakes, Tires, And Suspension: Riding On Air Audi As standard, the regular Q7 rides on five-link independent suspension with adaptive air as an option. The air suspension is the default for the SQ7, with an available sportier option still utilizing air but giving you more poise to rein in the 5,467 lbs of the SQ7 while dropping the ride height by 30 mm. The Q7, for reference, weighs 5,137 lbs.Wheel options range from 20 inches to 22 inches on the Q7, with four designs available, while the SQ7 rides on 22-inch five-double-spoke wheels by default with two optional 23-inch designs to step up to. Behind these, braking duties are handled by 14.8-inch/13.8-inch front/rear brakes on the Q7, while the SQ7 steps these up in both size and piston count. The SQ7's front rotors measure 16.5 inches with six-piston fixed calipers, while the rear uses a single-piston floating caliper design and 15-inch rotors. Interior: Borrowing From The New Flagship Q9 Audi If the interior shots below look a little familiar to you, it's because you've seen the same basic design and layout in the Q9's interior reveal. The Q9 is still a few months away from being revealed in full, but Audi's letting the Q7 inherit the new halo's cabin traits, despite it no longer being the big dog of Audi's lineup.The good news is that the gloss plastic is gone, replaced by textured, matte finishes from open-pore wood and premium trim inlays that won't show up scratches and smudges and won't create irritating glare. Even the door panels feel like a step up, with upholstered panels hiding speaker grilles and providing tactile touchpoints. The bad news is the dash is dominated by screens housing almost all the controls for the vehicle, from the infotainment to the operation of the panoramic sunroof. Even the front passenger has a dedicated touchscreen. Three-Row Seating, Loads Of Cargo Space 2027 Audi Q7 interior (3)Despite the Q9's imminent arrival as a full-size three-row SUV, Audi has retained the third-row functionality for the Q7, with seating for up to seven people in total, or six if you spec the second-row captain's chairs, available for the first time on a Q7. All seats are electrically adjustable, and you can lower the third row from the trunk at the press of a button. And you can even opt for the power door functionality from the Q9. Optional Sports Seats Plus give you illuminated detailing and cobra-like wingback designs, but they're not overly sporty to the point of being uncomfortable.Small item storage is abundant, including large cupholders throughout that can fit your teenager's prized Stanley cup. And the trunk is sizable too. A power liftgate opens to reveal 15.1 cubic feet behind the third row. Once the rearmost seats are folded away (a one-touch operation), you have 43.9 cubic feet to play with, and a maximum of 78.1 cu ft is available if you fold the second-row seats forward.2027 Audi Q7 trunk (1) Technological Highlights The aforementioned sunroof is similar to the one in the Q9, albeit a little smaller given the Q7's smaller internal footprint. It can be electronically switched from opaque (blocking 99.5% of all UV radiation) to transparent in a variety of sections and panels, and on upper trims, has illuminated LED patterns in a variety of colors.As for infotainment, the Audi MMI system housed in the curved main touchscreen interface can be controlled via voice command with AI integration interpreting your requests. You can also install native apps for music, movies, gaming, news, and more. And, as an option, you can spec a factory-integrated dashcam (standard on the SQ7 and Premium Plus/Prestige trims) with 4K resolution and HDR functionality.2027 Audi SQ7Audiophiles can look forward to the available Bang & Olufsen sound system with 4D sound, the latter referring to actuators within the front seats that vibrate them so you can 'feel' the music and not just listen to it. The system comprises 22 speakers with 1,360 watts of power. Several of those speakers are inside the headrests, which also enable phone calls, navigation prompts, and more to be handled by the driver without interrupting passengers elsewhere in the Q7.Dual wireless charging pads up front (with cooling and magnetic securing) handle primary charging duties, but USB-C ports are scattered throughout the cabin, ranging from 45 to 100 watts to be able to charge phones, tablets, and even laptops. Exterior Design: Audi Ahead Of The Lighting Game Again Audi With the Q9 leaning into being the biggest SUV Audi has ever built, the Q7's design elements now target a sportier aesthetic, tapering strategically at the rear to make it look lower and more dynamic, while the massive Singleframe grille and tall hood line have serious 'move over' presence in your rearview mirror.Audi The SQ7 gets the standard sportier elements like brushed aluminum mirror caps and details, quad exhausts, and more aggressive styling. The standard Q7, meanwhile, can be specified with an S line black exterior package that brings some of these elements to the base model with black trim and detailing. The SQ7 can also have a variety of elements decked out in black for a stealth look.Audi We'll let you come to your own conclusions on whether you're a fan or not, but in person, the Q7 and SQ7 are handsome machines. The illuminated grille design is a little over-the-top for my liking, but I have no doubt Audi won't struggle to find buyers who love it. Audi Remains The King of The Lighting Game 2027 Audi Q7 Exterior Details (2)What's more important is that the Q7 gets Audi's next-generation matrix LED headlight functionality, fully compliant with US regulations and finally available stateside with the full suite of adaptive driving beam functionality. Hallelujah! Using micro-LED technology, it creates a pixelated canvas of light that illuminates everything without blinding oncoming drivers.Audi is taking lighting technology a step further, too. Digital OLED taillights let you customize the signature lights, but also provide warnings to other road users with warning triangle displays. But the bigger news is the advanced turn signals, which use the auxiliary headlamp and taillamp clusters to project turn signals onto the road surface. This maximizes visibility for those who might not be able to see the vehicle, but who will now know your intention to pull out of a parking spot. This system is available for the first time on Q7 Prestige models and the SQ7 with the Luxury Package.2027 Audi Q7 exterior lighting (5) Pricing And Market Arrival Pricing is not yet available, but with the Q7 arriving as a 2027 model year before the end of 2026, it won't be long before Audi confirms what you'll pay. CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters The Audi Q7 is an important model for Audi. The first two generations sold 550,000 units and 780,000 units respectively across the world, and this new model is poised to pick up where the second generation leaves off. But the Q7 is no longer Audi's headliner, with the Q9 taking on the halo role. However, Audi imbuing the Q7 with Q9-level quality, functionality, and design is a bold statement that it still sees the Q7 as a huge player.Audi Audi could've gone hybrid with this generation, but in keeping with the V6 and V8 engine options, and giving the latter RS levels of power, Audi is also showing that it's listening to the American market and giving US buyers what they want.Having seen the Q7 in the metal, played around with the functionality, and poked and prodded the materials, I feel like it's a big enough step forward to warrant a look-in if you're in the market for a luxury midsize SUV. The overreliance on screens still irks me, but the rest of the package seems solid, luxurious, and in tune with the desires of American buyers. 2027 Audi SQ7 Image Gallery 2027 Audi SQ7 exterior (3) 2027 Audi Q7 Image Gallery 2027 Audi Q7 Exterior (1)
