5 Reasons to Love the 2022 Audi Q7 Interior

When it comes to luxury SUVs, the 2022 Audi Q7 is undoubtedly a top contender. But let's be honest—the real star of this show is the interior. Audi has a knack for crafting luxurious cabins that feel as premium as their price tags suggest. Whether you're sitting in the front row enjoying the plush materials or relaxing in the back with all the tech features you could ever dream of, this SUV is packed with thoughtful design elements. Yet, just like every car on the market, it’s not without its quirks. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at everything that makes the 2022 Audi Q7's interior shine, from the high-tech dashboard to the comfortable seating, with a few lighthearted notes on what might not work for everyone. Buckle up for a detailed journey!

First Impressions: Welcome to the Cabin

The moment you step into the 2022 Audi Q7, you're greeted by an interior that screams modern luxury without being over the top. Audi’s design philosophy has always been about minimalism, and the Q7’s interior reflects that. It's clean, with just the right amount of chrome and aluminum accents to give it an upscale feel. The layout is intuitive and driver-focused, making it easy to find and operate the controls without taking your eyes off the road for too long.

Now, while all that sleek design is great for first impressions, it’s easy to overlook how tech-heavy this cabin really is. If you’re not a fan of touchscreen overload, you might feel like you’ve stumbled into a spaceship rather than an SUV. But once you get used to it, it’s hard to go back to anything simpler.

Standout Features of the Q7's Interior

1. Dual-Screen MMI Touch Response Infotainment System

One of the first things you’ll notice when you sit in the driver’s seat is the dual-screen infotainment system. Audi’s MMI Touch Response System is incredibly responsive and beautifully integrated into the center console. The 10.1-inch upper screen handles navigation, music, and most of the car’s settings, while the lower 8.6-inch screen is where you control climate settings and input text. If you’ve never used a touchscreen for climate control before, it’s a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it's smooth sailing.

On the downside, fingerprints galore! You’ll find yourself wiping down the screens more than you’d like. It’s kind of like owning a new smartphone and constantly cleaning the screen to keep it looking pristine. Pro tip: Keep a microfiber cloth handy in the glove box.

2. Virtual Cockpit Plus

Audi’s Virtual Cockpit Plus is arguably one of the best digital gauge clusters on the market. The 12.3-inch high-resolution display is fully customizable. You can set it to show everything from your speed and fuel level to navigation maps and music playlists. This system alone makes the driving experience feel futuristic and engaging. Plus, for those who get distracted easily, you can configure the display to minimize information, keeping only the essentials in view.

Quirk alert: While the Virtual Cockpit is fantastic, not everyone will appreciate how tech-heavy it is. Alex Collantes, a frequent car reviewer who test-drove the 2022 Q7, quipped, “It’s like having an iPad glued to your steering wheel. It’s impressive until you’re trying to find the basic speedometer during a quick glance. I spent more time swiping than focusing on the road.” Still, for tech lovers, it's a dream come true.

3. Seating Comfort and Space

The Audi Q7 seats seven passengers comfortably, with three rows of seats designed for long-haul comfort. The front seats are 8-way power-adjustable, and with available upgrades like massage function and ventilation, they can turn any commute into a relaxing experience. The second row is nearly as luxurious, with plenty of legroom for adults, though the third row is best suited for kids or smaller adults on shorter trips.

Oh, but wait. Ever tried folding the third row? The process is about as simple as an IKEA instruction manual—easy to mess up but satisfying once you get it right. Alex Collantes joked, “I spent ten minutes wrestling with the seats before finally giving up. I feel like they need an engineering degree to fold flat.” If you need frequent access to the third row, this might drive you just a little bit mad.

Materials and Craftsmanship

4. Premium Materials Throughout

Audi doesn’t skimp on materials, and the Q7’s interior is a testament to that. Everything from the leather upholstery to the wood and aluminum accents screams sophistication. The standard leather is plush, but if you spring for the Valcona leather option, it feels like you’re sitting in a Bentley. The attention to detail is truly impressive, with soft-touch materials everywhere you’d expect them—and some places you wouldn’t.

The door handles, for example, are so solid and satisfying to pull, you’d think they were designed by the same team that engineers vault doors. (Which, honestly, wouldn't surprise us with Audi's obsession over quality.) And yet, some of the gloss-black plastic parts—like around the cup holders and center console—tend to scratch easily. It’s a small issue, but one that some picky owners might notice over time.

5. Ambient Lighting

One of the coolest features in the Q7’s interior is the customizable ambient lighting. With 30 different color options to choose from, you can set the mood however you like. Whether you want a calming blue for a night drive or a warm orange for cozy evening rides, the system lets you tweak the lighting to match your vibe.

However, I can’t help but chuckle at the irony of customizing the perfect ambient light while forgetting to turn off the cabin lights and draining the battery. Yeah, we’ve all been there!

Practical Features for Everyday Driving

Storage and Cargo Space

For a luxury SUV, the Audi Q7 offers a surprising amount of cargo space. With all seats up, you get about 14.2 cubic feet of space, but once you fold down the third and second rows, that number jumps to 69.6 cubic feet. This is more than enough for a family road trip, a run to IKEA (if you can figure out how to fold the seats!), or your weekly grocery haul.

There are also plenty of clever storage solutions throughout the cabin. For example, the center console has a decent amount of space for your phone, wallet, and other small items. The door pockets are deep enough to store water bottles and other accessories.

That said, with the third row up, the cargo space is practically non-existent, which means you’ll be stacking your bags to the roof if you plan to have more than five passengers on board.

Cup Holders and Charging Ports

Luxury is all about the little things, right? Audi knows this well. The Q7 comes with up to six cup holders spread across the cabin and plenty of USB charging ports for all passengers. The only complaint here is that the front cup holders are a bit close to the gear shifter, which can make grabbing your coffee a bit awkward if you're in the middle of parallel parking.

Climate Control and Air Quality

The four-zone automatic climate control system in the Q7 is a lifesaver, especially if you’re traveling with family or friends who can never agree on the perfect cabin temperature. Each passenger can set their ideal climate settings, which is great for avoiding arguments during long road trips. Plus, the system includes air ionization and fragrance options, so your Q7 can smell as good as it looks. (Who knew "new car smell" could be upgraded?)

Sound System

For audiophiles, the Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System is a must-have upgrade. With 19 speakers and 755 watts of power, it creates a concert-like experience inside the cabin. But if you're not willing to shell out for the upgrade, don't worry—the standard Audi sound system is still quite good.

Tech and Connectivity

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

The 2022 Audi Q7 comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The integration is seamless, and both platforms can be used wirelessly, which means no fumbling around with cables. It’s a small touch, but it makes a big difference in terms of convenience.

One downside: CarPlay can sometimes take a second or two to connect when you first start the car, which can be mildly annoying if you're in a hurry. But once it’s up and running, the connection is stable and reliable.

Wi-Fi Hotspot and Audi Connect

With an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot, your passengers can stay connected no matter where the road takes you. Audi also offers the Audi Connect system, which allows you to use various in-car services like Google Earth navigation, weather updates, and even access to Amazon Alexa.

Driver Assistance Features

Safety tech is a huge selling point for luxury SUVs these days, and the Q7 delivers in this department. Standard driver assistance features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and parking assist. These systems work seamlessly together, providing an extra layer of security during everyday driving.

However, if you’re the type who likes to do the driving yourself, you might find the constant beeping and nudging from these systems a bit overbearing. You can turn them off, but be prepared to dig through a few menus to find the right settings.

Drawbacks (With a Smile)

While the 2022 Audi Q7 interior is undeniably luxurious, it’s not perfect. For starters, the abundance of touchscreens can feel a bit overwhelming at times, especially if you’re not used to relying on them for basic controls. Also, while the tech is impressive, it can sometimes be finicky—like when CarPlay decides it needs a couple of extra seconds to connect just when you’re in a rush.

And let's not forget the third-row situation: if you plan on using it regularly, be prepared to spend some quality time figuring out the folding mechanism. And maybe give your chiropractor a heads-up.

In the words of Alex Collantes: “It’s like Audi decided to make the most luxurious SUV possible, then sprinkled in a few puzzles just to keep us humble.”

Final Thoughts: Is the 2022 Audi Q7 Interior Worth It?

Absolutely. Despite a few quirks and some minor frustrations, the 2022 Audi Q7 offers one of the best interiors in its class. It’s luxurious, comfortable, and packed with features that make every drive enjoyable. Whether you’re commuting to work, heading out for a weekend road trip, or simply running errands, the Audi Q7 delivers an experience that feels both upscale and practical.

If you can live with a few tech hiccups and the occasional learning curve (we’re looking at you, third row), the 2022 Q7 is a luxury SUV that truly shines from the inside out.