Audi Sq6 E-Tron vs BMW I7

What's the difference?

When it comes to a performance electric SUV, the Audi SQ6 e-tron is a fine example and showcases a masterclass in design. It drives and handles beautifully, even if it’s not as fun as I expected.

The technology looks amazing and I'm sure the little bumps we experienced will be ironed out with a software update.

The SQ6 will suit a smaller family best but the decent driving range and fast charging capabilities means regional families might like it too.

The i7 xDrive60 M Sport is close to the perfect 7 Series. From the comfort of being driven in it, to the ease of driving it, even for hours on end.

The i7's range of 625km is outstanding for an electric vehicle, but a petrol powered 740i will get you about 900km on a full tank. How many kilometres a day will you cover? Do you have time and a way to charge the i7 daily if you do cover a lot of distance?

If driving range isn't an issue, the i7 will reward you with a smooth, effortless driving experience and your passengers will have a serene journey in luxurious, high-tech surroundings. Just don't bump the door release button accidentally!

The SQ6 has a distinct look compared to the other mid-size SUVs in Audi’s stable with panelling that lacks some of the severe pleating of its cousins, instead incorporating swoopy lines and a more pronounced moulding around the base of the car.

The sporty S styling is seen in the large 21-inch alloy wheels and red calipers but the customisable light designs inside and out really make this stand out.

The interior is sumptuously styled with Nappa leather and suede upholstery and trims, and sports front seats, while the use of displays in the dashboard makes the SQ6 feel like a spaceship.

However, the main panel curves towards the driver and it still feels accessible and intimate for a cockpit. The cabin looks as expensive as what you’d want it to look like at this price point.

At 5.4m long and 2.2m wide the i7 xDrive60 M Sport is enormous and imposing  - as a 7 Series BMW should be.

What's significantly different in the look of this latest incarnation of BMW flagship limousine is its show stopping face.

That LED-lined grille has Vegas pizazz and the pretty glittering Swarovski Crystal headlights are mesmerising. I doubt the words 'pizazz' and 'pretty' have ever been used to describe any previous generation BMW 7 Series.

Fear not, though, from every other angle the i7 looks business-like and serious… and solid as though carved from a single slab of marble.

Solid is also a good word for the i7's interior. Look at the seats in the images - they're hotel lobby sized and I'm still uncertain how they managed to fit them through the i7's doorway.

Our car had the Merino Tartufo brown leather upholstery which suited the 1970s-style futuristic design of the seats with their headrests wrapped in carbon fibre and the satin aluminium trim throughout the cabin. They look like seats from the bridge of a spaceship in a sci-fi series.

The enormous 31.3-inch screen in the rear is a show-stopper as are the tablets in the rear doors to control the screen functions along with the seat heating and adjustment.

Disappointing in comparison is the smaller media and instrument displays up front. And it's not just the lesser proportions but the styling of the screens that's a let down.

Surely this was a chance for BMW to integrate a large, flowing interactive screen over the dashboard and not something which looks propped up and an afterthought to the design of the cabin.

I also find the crystal-effect plastic that trims the dashboard and extends into the doors a little over-the-top, especially when it's backlit with LEDs.

The cabin's primary objective seems to be one of passenger comfort. Everything you touch feels soft under hand and while seat padding is on the firmer side, all but the rear middle seat is comfy on a longer journey because of their extra functions.

The rear-row back rest has two recline positions and the seat beds offer long under-thigh support. The middle seat bulges up, and coupled with the compromised legroom, it won't be a nice seat for an adult.

The front row offers the best legroom and there is enough space in the rear for my six foot three brother to squeeze into (somehow) but I wouldn't want to be in the rear for a longer journey if you're super tall.

Access is good for each row with wide door apertures and seats that aren't positioned too high. There will be no groans getting in and out of the SQ6.

Up front the glovebox and middle console shoulder most of the storage burden but there is a handy flip-down drawer at the driver's knee for a wallet and a centre console with the charging stuff but it is an awkward space that could have been better utilised. Things tend to move around in there if not secured.

In the rear there are a couple of net map pockets, storage bins and a total of four drink holders but that's about it. The other amenities back there soften the lack of storage options as you get directional air vents, climate control, heated outboard seats and a couple of USB-C ports.

The technology on a whole looks amazing and the touchscreen multimedia display is responsive and logically laid out. You'll be able to figure it out quickly and I like that important functions, like climate control, and shortcuts are pinned to the screen as it makes it easier to access them when on the go. The Audi voice assistant can be activated by 'Hey Audi' if you don't want to fiddle with screens on the road.

The wireless Apple CarPlay was simple to set up but at the beginning of the week it did tend to get booted whenever the climate or massage functions were activated. This was annoying as you'd have to reselect CarPlay and jump back into whatever app you were in and when you're using the Map app, it feels disjointed. However, this sorted itself out by the end of my week.

On the whole, all the screens and their functions are user friendly but there were a couple of gremlins that needed a car restart to fix. Randomly, my volume became useless and the touchpad/buttons on the steering wheel stopped working.

I do like a normal button over touchpad controls as I find them more responsive but the touchpad controls on the driver's door were really easy to use and I like the family-friendly option of being able to individually apply the child-lock to the rear doors.

Rounding out the cabin is the large 526L boot which offers a level loading space and the ability to adjust the height via the adaptive S air-suspension from buttons in the rear.

The rear row has a 40/20/40 split, which opens up storage options again and there is a deep under-floor storage pocket that houses the tyre repair kit. A handsfree-powered tailgate comes standard, which I always appreciate and the massive frunk (64L) takes care of all of the cable storage.

Sure, the i7 isn't an SUV but a sedan like this needs to be roomy and comfortable, it also needs to be an ergonomic place to work for passengers in the back with laptops, and it needs to be well appointed with internet connectivity and charging outlets. A boot that can take at least two passenger's luggage is also vital.

The i7 has all of that covered with good legroom in the second row even for me at 189cm tall. I spent two hours back there writing my script for the video for this review while the i7 was charging.

As I typed away I had plenty of elbow room but I could have done with a tray table for the computer.

There's a wireless phone charger in the fold-down rear centre console, along with USB ports galore.

You'll find another wireless phone charger up front and more USB ports. The i7 also has its own internet hotspot.

The sumptuous seats in the rear are power adjustable and also heated, but lack a massaging function.

There's also rear dual-zone climate control and sun-blinds which cover the back and side windows.

Cabin storage is good with large covered areas in the front and rear centre consoles, plus there are two cupholders in the rear and another two up front, with large door pockets, as well.

The cargo capacity of the boot is a healthy 500 litres but it's quite shallow due to the electric vehicle batteries eating into the luggage space.

The automatic doors can be opened several ways from the inside.

First there's a button inside which is high on the rear door and another on the dashboard which will open them automatically while using sensors to ensure they don't hit anything.

There's another button much lower down which will pop the door open slightly for you to push it the rest of the way.

Finally there's an emergency handle which will override the electric opening.

You can open the doors from the outside automatically by pushing a button near the door handle or by using the exterior door handle normally.

Closing involves pressing the high placed button if you're inside or by tapping the exterior button on the outside door handle if you've exited the car.

We did have a door mishap twice during our week with the i7. The first was when bags placed on the front passenger seat bumped the release button and caused the door to pop open, followed quickly by me lunging across to pull it shut again. It's lucky my arms are long.

The second was when my eight-year old son bumped the door release button with his knee again popping open the door but this time at 110km/h on the motorway. He was able to close the door but it rattled both of us, understandably and I kept the child lock on for the rest of the week.

He's been in a different test vehicle every week of his life since he was born and this is the first time we've ever had a door open unintentionally like this. I've also never had a door open, just because a bag has leaned on it, either.

So, the auto door opening function might create a nice impression and make opening and closing the heavy doors easier, but I think manual doors would be more practical.

The BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport sits in the middle of the 7 Series range with a list price of $306,900. That places it above the $273K 740i which is the only combustion engine variant in the line-up and below the $345K i7 M70 xDrive.

Whatever you do, don't dismiss the i7 xDrive60 M Sport as an overpriced electric version of the 740i because it has many more standard features that enhance the luxury and chauffeuring experience.

We're talking automatically opening doors, a 31.3-inch media display in the second row and control tablets for it in the rear doors.

There's a 35-speaker Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system (not the 740i's 18-speaker stereo), power adjustable and heated rear seats plus an 'Executive Lounge' console, and a BMW Individual Gran Lusso interior with a choice of Merino or Cashmere upholstery.

Our car had the Merino Tartufo brown leather upholstery and carbon-fibre M interior trim.

The i7 also rolls on larger 21-inch wheels which fill the giant wheel arches perfectly.

The rest of the standard features list is almost identical to the 740i's and includes the imposing LED-outlined grille, the Swarovski crystal headlights and the panoramic glass roof.

Inside, the double screens for media and driver instruments are also standard, there's sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a head-up display for the driver, front row seats are heated, massaging and power adjustable, there are also electric sun-blinds for the rear.

Our car wore the 'Oxide Grey Metallic' paint which made my videographer very happy because apparently it shows contours better than any other colour even on a bright, sunny day.

At the time we published this review BMW was also supplying as standard a charging wall box and a five-year Chargefox subscription.

The SQ6 is a fully electric all-wheel drive and has two motors, one located on each axle. Together they produce up to 380kW of power and 580Nm of torque, which means this can do a 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.3 seconds when the launch control is activated.

There are three regenerative braking levels and a one-pedal mode which can be selected by sliding the gear-selector into 'B' otherwise the other two modes can be selected via the paddles on the steering wheel. You'll get the best efficiency when B is selected but it does take a beat to get used to and if you time your stops right, it can function as a proper one-pedal action.

The i7 xDrive 60 M Sport has two electric motors - one at the front one at the rear - making this large saloon all-wheel drive.

The combined output is outrageous. We're talking 400kW and 750Nm. That's enough oomph to fire this electric missile from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds.

When EVs first came out a lot of people saw the technology as lending itself to small city cars, but with the smoothness of motion is offers, the silent operation and the colossal grunt it can supply nothing suits a big limo like the 7 Series better than electric motors.

Outside of the initial acceleration thrill, I have to say that the SQ6 sort of drives like a lot of the other Audi SUVs I’ve sampled. Which is fine because it’s dynamic and handles beautifully on the highway or city but it’s just not as fun as what I was hoping it would be. The power will satisfy everyone though. 

The different driving profiles and adaptive S air suspension really personalises the on-road experience when you want it and my favourite profile is Dynamic as the suspension and steering feels more performance focused, which I prefer. 

Ride comfort is up there with the best and you won’t really be bothered by the bumps in the road, even with the stiffer suspension, but road noise does creep in at higher speeds. 

The visibility all round is good despite thicker pillars but the rear visibility is narrow even before a car seat or passengers are back there. A digital rearview mirror would have been handy here. 

Just something interesting to note is that when you accelerate from a full stop, there can be a small lurch as if it’s rolled backwards or the brakes have held a tad too long. It’s so quick when it happens that it’s not annoying but it is noticeable in stop/start traffic.

The SQ6 is really simple to park and navigating small car parks feels like a dream. The dimensions are forgiving and the 360-degree camera system is top notch. 

There are removal trucks shorter and narrower than the i7 but this limousine is possibly the easiest and most comfortable car I've driven in almost 15 years of testing vehicles from Toyotas to Bentleys.

The steering is pinky-finger light but accurate, the ride (as driver and passenger in the second row) is superbly composed and the electric powertrain add a smoothness to movement that no combustion engine on the planet can come close to.

The xDrive60 M Sport comes standard with BMW's 'Executive Drive Pro' feature which includes the 'Active Roll Stabilisation' and 'Active Roll Comfort' systems used on Rolls Royces.

The systems use motors to level the body through dips and corners, and the result has to be felt to be fully appreciated.

It's oddly amazing - you could have a bowl of molten lava in your lap and not spill any of it.

And then there are the seats. As a driver the under thigh support offered by the big, thick, wide seat base is exactly right for long distances, while the back rest is supportive without being too firm.

If I was to name any downsides to the driving experience it would be the limited forward visibility due to the narrow windscreen and thick. short A-pillars.

I found myself always having to peer around those pillars at intersections and pedestrian crossings.

Rearward visibility is completely blocked when the second row's large screen is folded down and the rear vision mirror doesn't have a camera function to get around this issue.

Sure there's a reversing camera but being able to see what's coming up behind you in traffic is important to for safe situational awareness.

I'm also not a fan of the synthesised driving sounds. It's unnecessary, especially in something like a chauffeur-operated limousine.

I think it only serves to cheapen what is such a high-end experience. Thankfully you can turn it off.

The same goes for 'Boost Mode' which provides all available grunt once a paddle behind the steering wheel is pulled and counts down like a missile launch. Seriously? Come on - this isn't a 2 Series!

The BMW i7 has not been assessed by ANCAP and like many ultra high-end cars it probably won't be. But we would expect it to perform well given this is the flagship of the brand and fitted with every safety feature in BMW's arsenal.

There's AEB which works from car park pace to motorway speeds, there's lane keeping assistance and blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and manoeuvre braking which will stop you from bumping into objects while revving and there are more than 35 different sensors.

One radar constantly gazes 300m ahead into the distance, although it would probably be bored in Australia with our lack of autobahns.

The i7 also has BMW's 'Evasion Assistant' technology which scans traffic in all directions and will activate an evasive manoeuvre into an empty safe lane if it detects you swerving to avoid a collision.

There are seven airbags onboard, including one between the front seats, full length curtains for the front seats and head protecting curtains for the rear occupants.

The xDrive60 M Sport also emits an acoustic warning to alert pedestrians that you're nearby. 

The SQ6 is covered by Audi’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and the battery is covered by an eight-year or up to 160,000km warranty, which are all standard terms for the class.

Audi also offers six years of complimentary roadside assistance and a servicing program for six years that costs $2080, which is competitive, and servicing intervals are at every two years or 30,000km. 

Audi includes the installation of a 7.4kW AC home charger, three charging cables and a one-year Chargefox public charging subscription with this model.

The i7 xDrive60 M Sport is covered  by BMW's five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. The battery is covered for eight years or 160,000km.

There's no regular servicing schedule but the car will identify any faults and maintenance issues and notify you. A six-year unlimited service plan is offered by BMW and is included in the purchase price of the i7.

The i7 also comes with a five-year subscription to the charge for charging network, and a home wall box charger.