Why Have Audi Killed The SQ7 TDI So Quickly? Review and Drive

Only a year ago I attended the UK launch of the newly facelifted Audi SQ7 TDI. We were told how important the car was, and all the many ways Audi had tried to improve it and make it as good as could be. But, 12 months on and the car is already discontinued - replaced by a petrol powered variant.
Did Audi do the right thing in pulling the plug, or was the car good as it stood?
And, more important, what the hell can I compare it with?
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[@augustortiz]

This man just compared a Audi SUV to a predator book LOL. And It was still a better review than other “journalists”.

[@poplaurentiu4148]

When people on the planet cry-out, complaint and allied together to form a cause to ban Diesel propulsion, because the Diesel pollution is causing cancer to humans specially inside biggest cities and they sued all major auto-brands that still make Diesel cars, now suddenly this guy comes and wonders why Audi ditch it ?! LOL !!!..

[@DanLMH]

Enjoyed the 55TFSI on the original launch in Ireland last year, we only managed mpg in the 20s though... Diesel still the best power for these big SUVs

[@user-cn8vb9hh5z]

My wife bought one of these a few weeks ago and we managed to get one of the last v8 diesels. The petrol didn't make sense to us and I think its one of the best diesel engines ever. We tested the XC90 hybrid with 405bhp and it felt laggy and the fuel consumption over longer distances is worse than the SQ7 which will do 600 miles on a tank. I would be surprised if the new petrol version will beat 25mpg and likely much lower with aggressive use.

[@dwade3202]

exactly, I dont understand the diesel ban... it gives you torque and power when you need it and it ALSO gets almost double the fuel economy of a petrol. I dont get it.

[@TheDavidsims]

@@dwade3202 Because diseasel is injurious to health

[@Ssh52]

If you don't mind me asking, what is it that you do for a living? 🙄

[@user-cn8vb9hh5z]

@@Ssh52 me?

[@Ssh52]

@@user-cn8vb9hh5z Yep 😅 That is, only if you don't mind me asking (I'm 17)

[@stephencollins7714]

The real competitor for this car was the 50TDI. I had the choice of a standard SQ7 or a Vorsprung 50 TDI and for many of the reasons that you stated I opted for the extra equipment arguing that I would use that every time I got in the car unlike the relatively small amount of extra performance that the SQ7 brings to the table which I would only really exploit occasionally. I do not regret that decision at all. Re the HVAC, you get used to it and I now tend to use the much improved voice control to manage functions in the lower screen. Finally, my car requires two pushes of the remote button to open the boot, that may be configurable somewhere. Great review.

[@xxxxxtrxxx13]

@@Nick-xi8km shut up toxic kid

[@robdotb]

I also went for the standard 50TDI, but I got one that somebody else spec'd up. Almost to Black. Nowhere near Vorsprung. It has all the grunt I need, esp if I flick it to Sport. And it has all the equipment I need. I still don't know how to get it to park itself, even though I have the button for that 🙂 And I agree, you do get used to the HVAC. But despite my remote needing two pushes to open the boot, there's been the odd time where I look back and the boot is open! But the other day, I'd left the boot open for a few minutes while I was sorting things out - and the thing only went and automatically closed itself! Now, that's a little reassuring, especially if I can find a setting to vary how long before it automatically closes...

[@Dtp2296]

The engine is in no way comparable though

[@stephencollins7714]

@@Dtp2296 agreed and it comes down to how often you will use the extra grunt to justify the expenditure. It also sounds much nicer too so I guess you can enjoy that every journey.

[@mikesanders5433]

Man the predator comparisons was just awesome. 😂 Nice one and nice review James! 😊

[@smallk6453]

Real reason they’ve dropped the tdi is simply to simplify the production line as the next generation will most likely be a hybrid or some sort. Another reason, for anyone who owns a tdi sq7 will tell you the fuel economy is truly amazing with the amount of power it provides. Not much slower if at all than the petrol version day to day driving wise. Hardly anyone will buy the petrol version if they keep the tdi at the same time (except in the US). That’s why they dropped the diesel. The tdi sq7 has been so successful in the past 4 years, they have to kill it otherwise no one can justify the thirsty petrol version.

[@mso008]

My uncle has one of these and is delighted, the massive boot fits his two Pitbulls easily and is confy as hell.

[@chrisogrady28]

As would a superior and cheaper RS4/6

[@SenszR]

@@chrisogrady28 You mean a less comfortable and aggressive RS4/6? Grow up.

[@chrisogrady28]

@@SenszR Your comment makes no sense. An RS6 is both more comfortable and more aggressive than a fucking Q7

[@SenszR]

@@chrisogrady28 no it’s not more comfortable and is more aggressive, 2 different types of cars, not everyone laps the Nurburgring in the way to work.

[@lukazupie7220]

@@SenszR ofc rs6 is more comfortable but u can also just buy cheaper a6 that is even more comfortable and still faster..

[@peterletts194]

1st class review James. Credit to you. 👍

[@martinmcdonald4207]

When the SQ7 was first tested by Autocar back in 2017 they described it as a future cult classic. As long the engine lasts, I would add!

[@danMRB]

Cars AND film references!? Well count me the hell in!!

[@michaelholt5069]

Cracking review as ever. However, the somewhat surprising mention of Choices took me way back! Many a good memory of going down with my parents after school on a Friday evening and renting a game for a weekend (or "3 nights") for a fiver (and sometimes getting some cinema-sized sweets or a mini-tub of Ben and Jerry's as a treat before absolutely playing the proverbial out of the game over the weekend. Admittedly those trips were done in a Fiat Brava (later a Marea and then a Stilo) and not something like this!

[@Fc-cb3tn]

If you really want something similar to compare with the X5 M50d would be a good choice. Though less powerful they’re very close in terms of what they’re supposed to do.

[@tobias_k01]

And it is also discontinued

[@johnneesham3465]

Great review👍

[@tomicarr90]

I've never been a fan of the way the big Audi's look, but in that spec and colour I think it looks bang on!

[@neilbuchan7300]

Queue the Predator quotes. “I ain’t got time to bleed”...but I do have time to watch every JayEmm car review 👍

[@duncthomas3327]

'Stick around'

[@TheOmniscientAtheist]

Got time to duck?

[@richardward9307]

'Son of a bitch is dug in like an Alabama tick'

[@robbanjac5553]

Great review certainly made me "Stick around"...😅

[@Elliottcam]

Great work...

[@timothygarnett2767]

You can still buy both the SQ7 and SQ8 in Australia with the 4L Diesel so it’s not been totally dropped.

[@kieranblenkinsop7610]

Matador Red, same colour as my A4. Gorgeous colour in my opinion.

[@mazukinzamazukinza307]

@JayEmm on cars,Is the SQ7 TDI engine reliable? Thanks for Your time.

[@joshbacon8241]

Why isn’t the SQ7 offered with carbon ceramic brakes in the UK like it is in other markets, and why is it no longer offered with active roll stabilisation when it’s available on the SQ8?

[@paultaylor9652]

Enjoyed that, straight talking car journalists.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

SUVs are not sporty, no matter how hard anyone tries.

[@Anders_HeymSR30]

Fully agree! Just swapped an X3M for a F90 M5, which is just so much better! SUV has its place, just not as a hunkered down, extremely stiff suspension fighting weight and higher centre of gravity

[@stephencollins7714]

Not sure why people get hung up on this, these cars are not pretending to be sports cars, they are just rapid large practical comfortable cars capable of shrugging off long journeys and whatever else you throw at them but track day cars they are not. I think that they deliver 95% of what most people need in a road car. Whoever put the “S” in SUV has a lot to answer for.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@@stephencollins7714 Sure, an "M Competition" SUV is certainly not pretending to be a sports car...

[@stephencollins7714]

@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X I know what you mean but I would still argue that it is not trying to be a sports car, just a fast SUV. There is to my knowledge no SUV’s that outperforms the equivalent sports car in the range, ultimately they cannot disguise the extra weight and height no matter how much tech you throw at them.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@@stephencollins7714 I agree with you there, it is exactly my point, as a matter of fact. No SUV can ever outperform an equivalent sports car (or even a saloon or estate!), therefore there is no reason to ever make a performance version of one.

[@maxspencer1151]

Yes big up Choices! RIP childhood

[@rayathasan3197]

man said 44.1 mpg from a 4.0 V8 diesel man that’s incredible

[@ram64man]

Emissions, emissions, emissions bloody emissions rules, my thoughts is with the falling sales globally this year in combination with eu 6b rules and every green lobby looking to prove that it’s another diesel gate , I would always picked the diesel over a phev petrol any day when you driving distance Audi should have just added the phev diesel instead to it to make it compatible with new air quality local city restrictions

[@estoyaqui5386]

Currently i am looking for a good deal on two new winter-tires for my ´09 Micra. But good to know that i could get one of these SQ7 for a "bargain" deal ^^

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Bargain is a relative, not absolute term

[@estoyaqui5386]

@@JayEmmOnCars yeah, i was mocking myself, therefore the ^^ at the end of the sentence :)

[@alexluke84]

SQ7 TDI is the successor of Q7 V12 TDI and that was a special car with exotic engine 😎

[@MrCandycorona]

This is so strange... discontinuing this to be replaced by the petrol variant. Yet they’ve made the S4/S5 a diesel... IN 2020?

[@lukazupie7220]

Neither makes sense i agree:)

[@andrewwallace1030]

I think the old SQ7 looks more like an ‘S’ model

[@roadstergt3308]

I just bought that car right now the 2020 model with v8 diesel and before i bought that car i watchd this video ! Im in love with this car i had chance to buy x5 x7 bmw and gle mercedes but the mercedes interior quality was bad wery bad when i touchd this car interior it was amazing ! Sorry for my english ! Still nice review

[@pobinr]

So why are they discontinuing this engine?

[@thomaswilliams4546]

If it bleeds, we can kill it...

[@YounesLayachi]

Fuel economy in gallons but fuel tank capacity in litres ? That's odd x)

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Welcome to the United Kingdom. Beer in pints and petrol in litres

[@sjoroverpirat]

@@JayEmmOnCars you really should switch to kilometers instead of miles. I dread to watch reviews from UK or USA because of all the conversions I have to do. At least give fuel consumption in liters/62miles.

[@blz6888]

Audi likes to experiment with Q7, first the V12 TDI then this twin turbo + electric turbo pioneering set up. This will be a car to be appraised in the future.

[@alfiewhittaker3763]

what about the VW v10 touareg yes its not built anymore but power and toque are probably similar

[@JimSmith-vw5mp]

I just sold my SQ7, epic car, but lost £1000 per month in depreciation. Ouch! £26500 in 26 months, not including the road tax, tow bar, forward facing camera, tyres and brakes. Whoever bought my car got a bargain.. Buggar!

[@lukazupie7220]

It is very expensive game!:) totally not worth it.

[@Dtp2296]

If the new sq7 tfsi gets 25mpg that is even more impressive, that's what i used to get out of my e46 330i going gentle so for a 2.3t 4.0 v8 that's amazing

[@j8442340]

Rob Brydon doing an impression of Steve Coogan doing an impression of Jeremy Clarkson.

[@richardhunt1384]

So is a VW Toerag a better option (???), ok it's not a V8 Diesel only a V6 but at least they offer both a Petrol and Diesel in the lineup.

[@andriusGNR]

Jay still looks like a farmer who just stepped out of his tractor, only doesn't wear wellies 😄 But I still like the reviews 😁

[@JayEmmOnCars]

You leave my tractor out of this

[@andriusGNR]

@@JayEmmOnCars it's like I'm saying I love my woman cuz she's amazing character, not cuz she's best looking 😂😂

[@georger4562]

id love to see a video reviewing the e class all terrain!

[@TrollThings247]

Which year model

[@Mr112W]

What about BMW X5 M50d?

[@gwilko6452]

Predator is one of my favourite films. I own a Audi SQ5

[@SkilfulLeader1]

So did i for 3 moths, beautiful car and very high spec. Just a shame I couldn’t live with the poor jarring ride quality which our British roads certainly contributed to!!

[@Dtp2296]

As far as i'm aware they all come with the active stabilisation, that is the whole point of the 48v system

[@realmusicreallife]

BMW x550D ...I would compare this too?

[@MrCandycorona]

Yes direct competitor. With the petrol SQ7 competing against the MX550i

[@dushenepaulusha7210]

a good competitor would be a BMW x5 50d I think! the one with the 3 liter quad-turbo diesel engine

[@mazukinzamazukinza307]

PLEASE PEOPLE,BETWEEN THIS SQ7 TDI ENGINE AND BMW M50D QUAD TURBO ENGINE, WHICH IS MORE RELIABLE? HONEST INPUTS WILL BE APPRECIATED. MANY THANKS.

[@pinchers1]

wait a sec , all the options you said did not exist i have on my 2018 model here in sweden

[@steffydog]

She’s a very big girl, thanks for sharing

[@robertwoodliff2536]

The shirt says it all.

[@glenpierce9301]

i want to reside in south dakota.

[@matthewguerra5410]

My guess is production capacity is possibly the reason for killing the V8 diesel and going to the tfsi model.

[@thecraggrat]

Not true, after the diesel fiasco with the buyback of all the diesel Q7's etc, there was a huge demand for the diesel Q7's when they released "fixed" bought back versions for sale. It is still a popular car, together withthe Porsche cayenne diesel... In fact, everyone with a diesel who like Audi in the US that I know wonder why Audi haven't sent the V8 diesel to the US, as they'd buy it in a heartbeat...

[@KapitanPisoar1]

Yes Land Rover is good to go offroad, but the question is, will it bring you back? :D

[@mosheweintraubmdphdcardiol6986]

In Germany the company ABT increases the power to 512 HP with a whooping torque of 970 Nm. Probably the best SUV, economic, powerful; we drove it 14,700 km. An Overkill. However, it does not have a transfer case, but the snow and gravel program are quite good. If you want a real OFF-ROADER, there is nothing else than the Mercedes G 400 D, which takes off where Range Rovers get stuck. After all, RR are only used by women going to the tennis court, bringing their daughters to the daycare and private school, and to the horse stable. I have never seen a RR on a trail up to our Swiss Alps ! Petrol SQ7 FSI ?? Never, not even for free. Bye

[@stefanbadass5357]

A reasonable ugly barge. Shame about the owners. "fits two pitbulls" lol. Mandatory for Dealers and Travellers.

[@4RRTA]

That car does have adaptive cruise, the black sensors are in the grill 🤔

[@JayEmmOnCars]

It has pre-sense which I believe uses the same sensor. If there was radar guided cruise it was extremely well hidden

[@geokon7192]

I’d very very surprised if it didn’t have radar cruise. In Australia the entire range comes standard with adaptive cruise from the 45tdi all the way up. There is a little knob ontop of the cruise control lever that adjusts the distance between cars. I think I can see it in you video, but cant be sure. Also soft close is standard on the SQ7 in Australia but not available on lower models.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

@@geokon7192 even the RS6 does not get radar cruise standard here

[@knightofcydonia07]

The back view is quite pleasant, but that front? What's with the stepped grille?! Hideous.

[@austinedwards1918]

But not for commercial vehicles. such as lorries and faming equipment and boats

[@andyhunt457]

The competition for this is maybe Land Rover Discovery SDV6.Both 5 or 7 seats?

[@dirkrichards6022]

I'm in USA and love diesel

[@pinchers1]

the range will be in the garage a lot more

[@alexoliver2608]

The obvious competitor to me is the BMW X5 M50d.

[@venom5809]

The old Q7 has a way better look, more muscular and good looking, these are just square and ugly, at least the Q8 looks good.

[@simonbutton2055]

I’ve had one for 2 years in addition to a W12 Conti GT. JayEmm says they both suffer from lag and has no idea what he’s talking about.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

They most certainly do, however it's worth asking if your SQ7 and Conti are new - it is only an issue I have encountered in more recent cars

[@simonbutton2055]

@@JayEmmOnCars both 2 years old so maybe, but why and what would they change to make that happen?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

In 2018 a huge raft of changes happened which dramatically altered how cars were. How they sounded and in the case of VAG products they also became fairly laggy to get better emissions scores

[@CarsofGlasgow]

Great video, big slab of an Audi

[@JohnGuidetti751]

Rivals the X5M50D.

[@westmus]

What cars the manufactors offer the public are highly balanced with the laws and taxes the politicians come up with. It have been like that forever, engine types offered follow the tax systems. The design follow the progress of the safety laws.

[@derekjohnson3445]

You should have tried the diesel Bentayga with the same engine. Zero turbo lag in that one.

[@austinedwards1918]

The big boys know this and are now concentrating on petrol and most importantly electric

[@mihhan9760]

You forgot to mention that the Range Rover has the Citroen engine which never equals the German q7....

[@marklowry8799]

Is he wearing Lonsdale trainers???

[@TheOmniscientAtheist]

Watching this review turned me into a goddamn sexual tyrannosaurus.

[@R-Tap]

Q7 never excited me, in any spec. Terrible colour....

[@idimidodjimi6760]

color is excellent, why do people think on gray and black are good . live a little pick a color. On a lot first cars I see gone are red Audis, and people are attracted to it from get-go , sadly most of the people have that strange fear implanted in to them by others like who are You gonna sell it afterwards ? For whom are You buying the car? Yourself or the second owner ?

[@maxtroy8511]

4:13: Range Rover built to go off road? Rather, make use of a Landcruiser, Patrol or Wrangler and leave the Range Rover to what it's designed for...the country lanes of London and Beverly Hills.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yeah but I cant imagine anyone wanting an SQ7 or a Range Rover to be happy with a Wrangler

[@Mr11ESSE111]

if you want all time repsirs at mechanics take rover

[@darkendstv985]

What have they done to that grill 💩💩

[@nicolejones3495]

Hey I'm an American woman and I love my Audi Q7 TDI. I really wanted a new one but America does seem to be killing diesel as a choice. Well I guess I could get a pick up truck. Eww no

[@paddycoleman1472]

Yuk, look at all the smudge prints on the screen. Oh for the days of manual knobs and switches.

[@nickbitten6037]

I like the idea of a Q7 if i never had to park it in a multi-story car park or other "tight" parking bays. Predator is a good film, even if the minigun would not be able to be used as shown by Blaine. ' Predators " is also a better film than i thought.

[@austinedwards1918]

Just like they did with leaded fuel

[@notrut]

Please redo this video from the aspect of TOWING ability/capacity ....

[@Alan-xk9rk]

I really think he should of reviewed the vorsprung model much better specification and that colour looks horrible 🤢

[@madeinengland6784]

Surely even you have heard of the worldwide ban on Diesel engines in the next 5 years?

[@JayEmmOnCars]

No I have not, because that is not a thing

[@jacklane3087]

Mercedes GLS you could have compared it to that

[@a.z.3214]

What is the sq7? One of the best cars Audi has ever built

[@austinedwards1918]

It's because diesel is on it's way out

[@jamesgrant-lewis209]

Americans buy diesel Audi just don’t make enough performance TDI versions for us

[@gregorizi]

Climate control i put on auto, set degrees and usually dont touch it again.

[@fisherengineering]

I cannot believe you’re comparing this to a Range Rover! There is no RR to compare to this. The comparison to the Cayenne is fairer. It is a shame that the diesel has been replaced as it is much better than the petrol engine for this type of vehicle. And the 33mpg figure is about right, even when driven at twice the speed limits

[@jameslloydcole8783]

X5 m50d...

[@iwaswrongabouteveryhthing]

looks like a hyandai

[@YounesLayachi]

You look tall :o I just noticed

[@KapitanPisoar1]

435hp and 900Nm sounds like a lot. But Fords Power Stroke produces 445hp and 1420Nm with one turbo for example... EURO emission standards are killing European car industry!

[@THjorth]

The Power Stroke is a huge 6.7 liter engine. If anything the power from an engine that size is really not impressive at all.

[@BC-hs4bd]

No offense - this review is good, but the fact that the reviewer is the most dominant image on the screen, rather than the car (the subject of the review), makes is less informative....

[@jamieogorman9461]

When is a bus not a bus.. Massive

[@TheIndulged1]

One comfortably seats you children the other not so.

[@zzhughesd]

Because JaYEmm. It’s a minger. Sorry for Audi SUV lovers. Hmmmmm. For big dough surely an RS 6 or 4 estate station wagon just be perfect

[@yellowa4725]

Not if you need to carry 7

[@YounesLayachi]

I miss the TDI S audis :((((((