The 2025 Audi Q7 rolls through Delhi traffic with the quiet confidence of someone who doesn’t need to announce their importance. Refreshed but not reinvented, this latest iteration arrives with subtle updates that you’ll notice only if you’re paying attention. It’s evolution, not revolution—and in the luxury SUV world, that’s often the smarter play.

At ₹88.7 lakh, this facelifted Q7 positions itself as the sensible option in a segment where eight-figure price tags are the norm. The design changes—a new singleframe grille, redesigned Matrix LED headlights, and sportier bumpers—speak to Audi’s restrained approach. Nothing dramatic, just refinement where it counts.

Parked among the capital’s fleet of oversized luxury vehicles, the Q7 doesn’t demand attention. It simply assumes it. The question remains, though: in India’s fast-growing automotive landscape, where newer and flashier options emerge every season, does this measured update still deserve a spot in the luxury conversation?

Delhi’s Concrete Canvas

On Delhi’s roads—a patchwork of smooth highways, cratered lanes, and everything in between—the Q7 reveals its true personality. The air suspension smooths out most imperfections, though with more bobbing than you’d expect. It’s like the suspension engineers prioritised comfort over absolute composure; pleasant enough until you hit a sequence of undulations that sets the cabin nodding in agreement with your muttered complaints about the local municipal craftsmanship.

The 3.0-litre V6 with its 335 bhp offers more than enough thrust to exploit those rare gaps in traffic. Power delivery is refined and substantial—the kind that doesn’t shout but simply delivers when called upon. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system distributes power with smooth efficiency, giving you confidence whether you’re navigating Lutyens’ wide avenues or the tighter confines of Delhi.

The cabin remains impressively insulated from the chaos outside—both aurally and thermally. While Delhi’s cacophony of horns and the summer heat press against the windows, the Q7’s four-zone climate control and acoustic insulation create a bubble of German-engineered serenity. The 730W, 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system provides a fitting soundtrack, though the lack of heated seats (quietly deleted in this update) might raise eyebrows when winter fog descends on the capital.

While competitors race to install ever-larger touchscreens and haptic controls, there’s something refreshingly straightforward about the Q7’s three-screen setup. Yes, the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in 2025 feels like an oversight, but the wired connection works. So that’s something.

The Highway Escape

Once the urban chaos recedes in the rearview mirror, the Q7 reveals its true character. The 3.0-litre V6 finds its rhythm at cruising speeds, the engine note fading to a distant hum as the eight-speed automatic settles into top gear. At 100 kph, the tachometer barely registers above 1,500 rpm—suggesting both mechanical sympathy and reasonable fuel economy for something this size.

The Q7’s natural habitat isn’t the crowded metropolis but these long-distance hauls. Here, the air suspension makes more sense, absorbing expansion joints and unexpected potholes with minimal fuss. Switch to the Individual drive mode—engine settings comfortable, suspension in Dynamic—and you’ve found the sweet spot for Indian highways: relaxed power delivery with just enough body control to prevent certain nautical sensations.

The second row remains a comfortable place for adults, though the third row continues to be more theoretical than practical—unless you’re transporting particularly small humans or particularly uncomplaining adults. But in the typical Delhi weekend escape scenario—two couples heading to a hillside resort—the Q7 hits the sweet spot of space and comfort, with the rear seats folded to accommodate an improbable amount of weekend luggage.

The Luxury Statement

In our luxury car hierarchy, the Q7 occupies an interesting middle ground. At ₹97.8 lakh for the fully loaded Technology variant (₹88.7 lakh for the base), it’s surprisingly accessible compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7—both of which demand roughly ₹40 lakh more for entry. This pricing places the Q7 in a curious position: undeniably premium yet not quite the statement piece that its German cousins have become.

The question isn’t whether the Q7 is a good car—it clearly is—but whether it’s still a desirable one. It hasn’t had a proper redesign in nearly a decade, and it shows—both for better and worse. It’s an established player that knows its strengths: refined driving dynamics, understated luxury, and a price tag that won’t trigger a call from your accountant.

Is it as desirable as it once was? Perhaps not. The luxury SUV segment has evolved dramatically, and the Q7’s conservative updates feel like Audi is playing it safe. But for those who appreciate subtle confidence over flashy statements, the Q7 remains a compelling choice. It’s still cool—but maybe more “established professional” cool than “trendsetting influencer” cool.

And, in a city increasingly defined by excess, there’s something refreshing about restraint.