The second generation Audi Q7 was unveiled in January 2015 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.[45] The diesel- and petrol-powered versions were released for retail sales in 2015, followed shortly by diesel-powered plug-in hybrid variant, which is sold in Europe,[46] but not in Canada.[47]

Regardless of engine, all Q7's come with a ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission and a Quattro Permanent all-wheel drive system with a self-locking center differential and a default 40:60 front-to-rear torque split. Depending on available traction, up to 70% of available power can be diverted to the front axle, or up to 85% to the rear axle, without ESP intervention.

In 2016, the BBC noted the Q7 as one of several models on the market which were too large to fit in a standard parking space.