Update: ‘Confirmation’ and ‘Price & Release Date’ updated.
The current, second-generation Audi Q7 has been on the market since December 2014 and has undergone two facelifts. While these updates were substantial, the SUV has begun to show its age and lacks the appeal of newer competitors.
The third-generation Q7 will likely be Audi’s last iteration of the nameplate with an internal combustion engine, expected to remain in production until around 2035. Here are our expectations from the next-gen Q7, which will arrive in time to compete with the next-gen BMW X5, and the refreshed Mercedes GLE.
Confirmation
On October 31, 2025, during its Q3 2025 earnings conference call, Audi confirmed it will unveil the next-gen Q7 in 2026. The next-gen Q7 and a first-ever Q9 are expected to round out the 20+-model onslaught announced by the company in March 2024.
Design
The next-gen Audi Q7 will feature a noticeably different design compared to the current SUV. Spy images, including those captured in the U.S. (via Kindel Auto) suggest a more commanding front-end, incorporating split headlamps and a redesigned octagonal radiator grille. A larger lower air intake will contribute to a sportier and more aggressive stance, as seen in these spy shots shared by our friend Wilco Blok.
Other notable exterior changes include flush door handles or button-type entry latches (similar to the Mustang Mach-E) and a revised rear-end, where the tail lamps are now connected by a horizontal light strip, a common trend in modern premium SUVs. Projection light and customizable OLED taillights are also in the cards.
Interior & Features
Based on spy shots, Audi is aiming to give the new Q7 one of the most tech-packed interiors in its class. A reworked, highly digital cabin will introduce an asymmetric dashboard, with a focus on streamlined usability. The new MMI layout is expected to replace the previous dual-screen setup with a single central touchscreen for a simpler interface.
A noteworthy addition is the passenger touchscreen, which will enable entertainment features such as video streaming, gaming, and navigation assistance. This display is likely to be sourced from BHTC, a supplier known for automotive infotainment solutions.
A configurable augmented reality head-up display, customizable digital interior lighting (IAL), a wireless phone charging pad with a cooling feature, acoustic glazing, and an upgraded sound system are the expected interior highlights.
Other refinements should include improved third-row seating space, the use of more sustainable interior materials, suede-like Dinamica upholstery, capacitive steering buttons, and a new, space-efficient electronic gear selector positioned in the center console, as we saw last year in the new Q5. We are also expecting at least Level 2+ autonomous driving features and Smart Remote Park Assist Plus in the new Q7.
Specifications
PPC Platform
Underpinned by the PPC platform, a rebranded and refined version of the MLB evo, the next-gen Q7 is expected to register solid improvements in electrification, offering mild-hybrid (MHEV) and plug-in hybrid variants (PHEV). According to Automobilwoche, theoretically, a range-extender (EREV) is also possible with this platform.
We are expecting a new combustion engine, with all variants of the standard SUV feature a 48V mild-hybrid system for improved efficiency in the global market.
Plug-in Hybrid
At the high end, the PHEV is expected to feature a larger battery pack, possibly around 25 kWh, allowing for a longer electric-only range. In the U.S., where the current Q7 lacks a PHEV option, the new generation could finally introduce this powertrain.
Audi has announced this year that it sees plug-in hybrids as a key part of its lineup during the transition to an all-electric range, adding ten new PHEV models by the end of 2025. The next-generation Q7, which is a key model in the lineup, should feature the PHEV variant as more of a core offering.
Charging capabilities should also improve, with DC fast-charging speeds anticipated at 40 to 50 kW. The EPA-estimated electric range could be just above 40 miles, making the hybrid version a more viable alternative for daily commuting without relying on gasoline.
Audi moving upmarket with new launches
“We’re moving upmarket,” Audi UK boss Jose Miguel Aparicio told Auto Express, in an interaction in February 2025. “It’s less about volume, more about value.”
He pointed to the new A6, Q6 e-tron, and Q5 as key to shifting Audi’s focus to higher segments. These models raise average prices and attract a different customer. Aparicio said Audi must back this move with strong products and a better experience at every touchpoint.
Aparicio believes Audi can rise within the premium bracket without clashing with Bentley or Porsche. According to him, it’s not a major overhaul, but a natural evolution. This could mean a premium pricing strategy for the Q7, with more standard features and tech.
Price & Release Date
Audi will likely launch the next-gen Q7 in the U.S. in the second half of 2026. We expect the company to price its plug-in hybrid under USD 80,000.
At the Annual Media Conference held on March 18, 2025, Audi confirmed that it will launch 10 new models in North America by the end of 2026, and that it is considering various options to additionally localize cars in North America.
Featured image: Next-gen Q7 test prototype captured in Ingolstadt, Germany, by our friend Wilco Blok.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
