Audi has raised its prices for the upcoming 2027 model year, and if you are shopping for the brand’s three-row SUV, expect to pay up.
The base Q7 starts at $70,900. That is a $3,300 jump over the outgoing 2026 edition. If you want the track-ready SQ7, it sits closer to the six-figure mark. It begins at $98,700. An increase of $4,900 doesn’t look massive on paper, but when the sticker approaches $100,006, that is real money. Both models hit dealerships later this year, presumably with deeper pockets for the average buyer.
Is the New Audi Q7 Worth the Extra Cost?
Audi dumped cash into engineering for the 2027 lineup. It wasn’t just a price tag adjustment; there are actual changes under the hood.
Standard equipment now includes a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6. Power sits at 429 hp. Torque lands at 442 lb-ft. Zero to 60 mph takes 4.8 seconds. That is 0.7 seconds faster than the previous generation. For a three-row family hauler, that quickness matters.
If you need more violence behind the wheel, the SQ7 uses a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. This unit produces 591 hp. 590 lb-ft of torque pulls hard. Sprinting to 60 takes 3.7 seconds. The old SQ7 did it in 4.0. It is faster, naturally. But the premium for this acceleration? It’s nearly $28,000 more for the base model. You pay for performance. That is nothing new.
2027 German Luxury SUV Showdown: Q7 vs. X5 vs. GLE
Who compares? Everyone buying this size car compares. But the playing field isn’t exactly flat.
Audi sizes the Q7 so it actually gets you a third row of seats. BMW’s X5 offers two rows as standard. Mercedes-Benz’s GLE also starts with two rows in its base configuration. Audi charges for utility where its rivals do not. This explains part of the pricing disparity.
| Model | Base Starting Price (Approx.) | Base Engine Specs | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Q7 (2027) | $70,900 | 2.9L V6 Turbo, 429 hp | 3-Row Standard |
| BMW X5 xDrive40 (2027) | $69,800 | 3.0L I6 Turbo, 394 hp | 2-Row Standard |
| Mercedes GLE 350 (2026) | ~$62,250 | 2.0L I4 Mild Hybrid, 255 hp | Cheaper Base Entry |
| Mercedes GLE 450 | $72,250 | 3.0L Inline-6 Hybrid, 375 hp | Hybrids |
The BMW X5 is cheaper on paper by $1,100. But it lacks that extra row. It’s an SUV, not a van. Some people need five seats. Some need seven. For the former, the BMW saves money.
Mercedes keeps things confusing with hybrids. The base GLE 350 uses a mild-hybrid 2.0-liter engine. It makes only 255 hp. That explains the lower price. If you want real power in a GLE—like the GLE 450 with its 3.0-liter inline-six hybrid—you are looking at $72,256. That puts the Mercedes slightly above the base Q7 and significantly above the standard BMW configuration.
The 2027 update for the GLE brings more tech, but older bones under the skin compared to the all-new Q7 and facelifted X5.
How Much Extra Do You Need for SQ7 Power?
The leap from V6 to V8 changes everything about how the car behaves. But financially? It narrows the gap between “premium SUV” and “exotic car adjacent.”
Starting at $98,730 for the SQ7 is close to where entry-level luxury coupes go. For nearly $100k, you get supercar acceleration wrapped in family practicality. Is that what buyers want? Or is the $70k Q7 the sweet spot?
Audi argues the updated interior quality and latest tech justify the hike. They have to, considering the X5 and GLE aren’t giving these premiums away. Competition remains fierce. Audi’s bet on a more driver-focused, spacious, and powerful Q7 needs to click with consumers who are tired of inflating prices across the board.
Time will tell if buyers care more about the V8 scream than the extra cash in their wallets
