It’s easy to imagine sports cars as coupes and convertibles like the BMW M4. But one can stretch the definition to include sports sedans like the M5, before breaking the definition entirely to include performance SUVs. While some enthusiasts still refuse to consider anything with more than two doors a sports car, the simple truth is that larger vehicles are becoming quicker, faster, and more agile than some two-door models from decades ago ever were. No matter what your opinion is of the current market for high-performance SUVs, they’re here.
Audi’s entrant into the quick SUV races is the SQ7. It’s all-new for the 2027 model year, bringing back V8 power and more modern styling. The SQ7’s main competitors include the BMW X5 M and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 — both of which offer similar levels of luxury for huge price tags and plenty of power.
The situation raises concern about whether the new SQ7 can keep up with its German rivals. Audi feels like it’s been slipping away lately with stagnant designs and questionable reliability compared to other German brands. Introducing this new performance SUV alongside a futuristic new halo car could be the way forward.
All specifications are pulled directly from the manufacturers. Pricing is correct at the time of writing, and excludes destination, options, taxes, incentives, and other potential fees.
The Numbers Buyers Need First: Pricing
2027 Audi SQ7 front 3/4 angle in gray while parkedAudi
German Performance SUV Pricing Compared
2027 Audi SQ7
2026 BMW X5 M Competition
2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ SUV
Base Price
TBA
$131,000
$131,800
Before we get too far into this comparison, Audi hasn’t announced pricing for the new SQ7 just yet. Since it’s a brand-new model with fresh styling, cutting-edge interior features, and a new powertrain, buyers should expect it to be more expensive than the outgoing SQ7. For reference, the 2026 model currently starts at $93,800. Since Audi states its intended competition as the X5 M, we wouldn’t be surprised to see its price increase to a more comparable level.
BMW buyers have two options: the less-powerful X5 M60i, or the all-out X5 M Competition. While the M60i is still an impressive machine with more power than any SUV owner ever needs, it’s not as extreme as the most expensive variant — the weaker of the two variants starts at $93,600 to match the current Audi SQ7’s price, pushing the M version into higher territory.
Mercedes-Benz also offers multiple AMG variants of the GLE-Class SUV. It starts with the AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ SUV at $90,000, but buyers can upgrade to the AMG GLE 63 4Matic+ SUV for $131,800 before destination and options. This comparison focuses on the most powerful (therefore the most expensive) versions of each model.
Audi SQ7 vs Rivals’ Expected Depreciation
2025 BMW X5 M Competition side angle in green while drivingBMW
Since the SQ7 is all-new, nobody can yet perfectly predict how it might age. That said, sources like CarEdge use data from current and past model years to inform buyers that the model loses about half of its value after its first five years on the road. 50% depreciation is about average for luxury performance cars. For example, see the chart below for 2022 SQ7 current prices. The 2022 SQ7 Premium Plus had an original MSRP of $86,500. Its current value of $46,350 means it lost about 46.4% of its original value in four years.
CarEdge doesn’t specify the depreciation rate for the X5 M specifically, but its data suggests the X5 in general loses about 59% of its value after five years of service. Using the 2022 model year as a reference again, the 2022 X5 M had an original MSRP of $106,100. The CarBuzz Marketplace price trend data shows the model at $67,449, indicating it lost about 36.5% of its value after four years.
The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 SUV tells a similar story. Its 2022 model year’s original MSRP was $116,850. Now, it’s worth about $58,300, according to our price trend data, meaning it has depreciated by about 50% over four years.
If You Can Afford Them, Their Performance is Worthwhile
SQ7 vs X5M vs GLE 63 Performance Specs
2027 Audi SQ7 front angle in gray while drivingAudi
German Performance SUV Specs Compared
2027 Audi SQ7
2026 BMW X5 M
2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S
Powertrain
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8
4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 Mild Hybrid
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Hybrid
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
9-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Horsepower
591 hp
617 hp
603 hp
Torque
590 lb-ft
553 lb-ft
627 lb-ft
0-60 mph
3.7 seconds
3.7 seconds
3.7 seconds
Top Speed
155 mph (130 mph w/ All-Season Tires)
155 mph (177 mph w/ M Driver’s Package)
174 mph
One vital new update to the SQ7 is its powertrain. Audi upgrades its old V8 by tuning the unit for more power. The outgoing model also uses a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, making 500 hp and 568 lb-ft, whereas the new one has 591 hp and 590 lb-ft.
The new model has enough power to keep up with both BMW’s and Mercedes-AMG’s SUVs in a 0-60 mph sprint. All three models include standard all-wheel drive and automatic transmissions, with no option for manual gearboxes. What’s most interesting is that each model has varying power outputs and uses different transmissions, yet they all match one another in their 0-60-sprint speed.
Speed aside, the SQ7 handles well with standard air suspension, while the regular Q7 uses a five-link setup. Mercedes-AMG’s GLE 63 SUV has standard self-leveling Active Ride Control with roll stabilization and an active damping system that adapts to the road. As for the X5 M, our road tester found it to be reasonably comfortable without compromising on performance.
BMW M cars often deliver harsh ride comfort in the name of performance, but the X5 M Competition still provides reasonable comfort. The big wheels do transmit road imperfections, but if you leave the suspension in its comfort mode, the X5 M doesn’t beat up its occupants.
– Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz (2024 BMW X5 M Drive Review)
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Performance Doesn’t Exclude Comfort
German Luxury SUV Interior Design and Features
2027 Audi SQ7 interior view of the front cabinAudi
The latest Q7 and SQ7 took a design lesson from the all-new Audi Q9 – the automaker’s first full-size SUV set to debut for the 2027 model year. It still features a screen-heavy interior, which may disappoint some enthusiasts. Nevertheless, it’s a well-planned layout that keeps everything in reach of both the driver and front passenger. Buyers should be thrilled to find open-pore wood in place of the outgoing model’s black plastic, along with more upholstered panels that look and feel better than the old SQ7’s plastic interior.
Available interior features in the new SQ7 include a more immersive Bang & Olufsen sound system with “4D” audio, surround-sound speakers, and innovative seat actuators in the front seats. Buyers can also choose a panoramic sunroof that adjusts its transparency at the touch of a button.
Mercedes-Benz never disappoints with its interiors, either. The GLE 63 isn’t new this year, but still feels futuristic with plenty of standard features like:
- Heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats
- Energizing seat kinetics
- Heated and cooled front cupholders
- Heated steering wheel
- Air Balance cabin purification system and fragrance system
- Exclusive Nappa leather upholstery
- Dual-zone climate controls
The X5 M Competition places greater emphasis on performance than on comfort, but it’s still a six-figure German luxury SUV. It comes with standard features such as a panoramic roof, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen, a Harman Kardon sound system, extended Merino leather upholstery, heated front seats, armrests, and steering wheel, and more.
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Is the New SQ7 Enough to Bring Buyers Back?
2027 Audi SQ7 front 3/4 angle in gray while parked with cargo on the roof rackAudi
Audi’s sales haven’t been great lately. While it once revolutionized its brand image with the first R8 and a sweeping new product lineup with updates galore, the automaker hasn’t been quite so revolutionary today. Buyers see unreliable models with high maintenance costs at similar prices to competitors with better performance and overall brand image.
For reference, Audi’s total sales in the United States for 2025 came out to 164,942 units, with 18,381 of those being the Q7 and its variants. BMW sold 388,897 units in the same timeframe, and Mercedes-Benz sold 303,200 passenger cars (excluding 40,000 vans).
Adding a new full-size flagship, the Q9, and a new Q7 and SQ7 generation could be the spark Audi needs to regain its traction. Perhaps, along with the recently revealed Nuvolari supercar, the brand’s future looks a little brighter.
Sources: Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, CarEdge
