Joe Achilles Tests the Audi SQ7 — Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?

When I tested the Audi SQ7 a few months back, it genuinely impressed me. Being an SUV skeptic, I genuinely thought it would feel like a big, lumbering SUV with a big, stonking engine. While the latter part was true — its engine is mighty — I actually felt that it was anything other than lumbering. I found it to be surprisingly sharp and fun to drive, despite being a seven-seat, high-riding SUV. But was I a bit crazy for feeling as such or is the SQ7 actually a true wolf in sheep’s clothing? Joe Achilles found out recently, as evidenced by this new video.

The facelifted Audi SQ7 is the first gasoline-powered SQ7 yet, as the previous models used diesel engines, and its new V8 engine is huge part of what makes the SQ7 so special. The 4.0 liter twin-turbo V8 in the SQ7 makes 500 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, which helps it hit 60 mph in a Joe Achilles-recorded 3.82 seconds. That’s seriously quick for a three-row SUV and not too far off the performance of an Audi RS Q8, yet is far more practical and comfortable.

Even more impressive is how well it handles. Achilles seemed genuinely impressed with the way the SQ7 sliced through corners. Something as heavy and as large as the Audi SQ7 shouldn’t handle well and inspire confidence and yet it does. I felt the same during my time with it, being genuinely baffled at how sharp the big SQ7 was.

More than that, though, it’s actually fun to drive. Achilles has a big smile on his face through a lot of this video, which isn’t always the case with big SUVs. Sure, big SUVs can often be impressive and surprisingly capable but not exactly fun. The Audi SQ7 is, somehow, both.

The Audi SQ7 isn’t a cheap car, at $85,000 to start in the U.S., but it provides all the car you’d ever need. It’s big, has tons of space and practicality, gobs of power, and surprising performance, all wrapped up in a good looking, luxurious, tech-filled package.