The Audi Q7 is a popular SUV thanks to its combination of luxury, size, and safety. It’s a large sport utility vehicle, with three rows, making it a great choice for families looking to cart around a bunch of kids. If you want to buy a used Audi Q7, you have some pretty great options. So which one is the safest? Let’s take a look.

The 2020 and 2021 Audi Q7s have poor headlights

While the 2020 and 2021 Audi Q7s have good crash test ratings, their headlight ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are poor. The IIHS gives out two safety awards: the Top Safety Pick and the even better Top Safety Pick+. Unfortunately, the 2020 and 2021 Q7s’ headlights preclude them from either safety award.

The 2018 and 2019 Q7s have marginal and poor headlights

The headlights in both the 2018 and 2019 Audi Q7 models are actually slightly better than in the 2020 and 2021 models. Unfortunately, they’re not much better. Depending on which trim level you buy, the headlight ratings on these two Q7s are marginal and poor.

The 2017 Audi Q7 is a Top Safety Pick

The 2017 Audi Q7 is the safest used model in recent years. It wins the IIHS Top Safety Pick award thanks to its good crash test ratings and superior safety systems. It’s worth noting that while the 2017 Audi Q7 has a Top Safety Pick award, its headlight ratings are only marginal and poor.

Top Safety Pick winners have to have good crash test ratings

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To be awarded an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, a vehicle must score a good rating in all of the IIHS crashworthy ratings. These include the driver-side small overlap front, the passenger-side small overlap front, and the moderate overlap front. In addition to these front crash tests, the vehicle must get a good score in the side crash tests, roof strength, and head restraint tests. 

Additionally, the vehicle must have an advanced or superior in both the vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian tests. Headlights, often overlooked by car shoppers, must have a good or acceptable rating available. Oftentimes one trim level has good headlight ratings while another trim level does not, so it’s important to check the test results of the trim level you’re considering purchasing. 

If you’re in the market for a used Audi Q7, you have several good options. Yet with none of the recent Q7s having good, or even acceptable, headlights, you may want to consider a different luxury sport utility vehicle, as having good and effective headlights is incredibly important.