Audi's redesigned 2027 Q7 has earned praise from Euro NCAP for sticking with physical buttons rather than burying key functions inside a touchscreen, with the crossover posting a perfect score for its "essential driving controls" under the safety body's updated 2026 testing protocols.

Euro NCAP evaluated how easily drivers can locate and operate frequently used features such as turn signals, hazard lights, windshield wipers and washers, the horn, and the eCall emergency button. The organization favors controls that remain physical rather than digital, arguing that a dedicated switch is far easier to find by feel and muscle memory than navigating a menu on a central display, which forces drivers to take their eyes off the road. The Q7 ultimately achieved a 90 percent overall rating in this new control category, with the frequently used functions hitting the full 100 percent mark.

The tested Q7 was a left-hand-drive TDI model producing 220 kW, or about 295 horsepower, built at Audi's Slovakian plant. A less powerful diesel variant with 180 kW, equivalent to roughly 241 horsepower, is also offered.

Not every result was flawless. Euro NCAP noted the SUV fails to detect occupants sitting in unsafe positions, such as a front passenger resting their feet on the dashboard, a posture that raises serious injury risk if the airbag deploys. The Q7 does not warn passengers in these situations.

Speed assistance technology fared better. Across approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) of real-world driving, the system correctly recognized posted speed limits 87 percent of the time. The Q7 also performed strongly in side-impact testing, with its center airbag preventing front occupants' heads from colliding with one another during pole and barrier crashes. The vehicle additionally scored well in "dooring" protection, which addresses the risk of a car door opening into a cyclist when occupants fail to check their mirrors. Low-speed crash performance for pedestrians and cyclists came in at a more modest 68 percent.

The Q7's standout category was post-crash safety, where it earned a perfect 100 percent score. Euro NCAP credited this to the vehicle's rescue information, eCall functionality, and features designed to help first responders extract occupants safely after a collision. The eCall system can relay details about the crash and occupants to emergency services ahead of their arrival, helping responders prepare before reaching the scene.

Source: autoevolution

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