Audi Q7

The interiors of the Q7 are incredible. There is plenty of room for 7 people and the seats can all be adjusted. The cabin is very luxurious but like all Audi’s it is again simple and practical. They don’t go overboard in terms of design and the ergonomics are spot on, making it a very enjoyable car to sit in and drive. The centre console and dashboard are setup very nicely and the craftsmanship is very good giving a sense of high quality throughout the cabin.

The Q7 we had in our possession was the 6-cylinder 3.0 litre TDI, and this is the same engine found in the Q5 as well as the A7 and A8. The engine has been tuned to pump out 237hp and 550Nm of torque. These are very impressive figures from a very impressive engine that has been incredibly well engineered. The engine is also mated to a very good 8-speed auto transmission. If you want even more power the Q5 comes with a larger 4.2 litre TDI that pumps out 335bhp and a massive 800Nm of torque.

The Q7 is an incredibly large vehicle and it is also very heavy so the engine is always under strain, but somehow it manages to pull the car forward with such ease. The engines have been so very well built and they really do kick out a lot of power. The engine is very responsive and gives you power at any time, even at low revs. The auto transmission is phenomenally responsive as well and if you want to be even more precise you can switch to manual and switch with the paddles behind the steering. The suspension setup is brilliant and on the highway the Q7 is incredibly smooth. Even on rough road patches the Q7 handles itself very well and offers you a comfortable and relaxed drive. The steering is a little soft, but you have to expect that from a car of this magnitude. Overall it performs really well in all conditions.

The Q7 comes with a Start-Stop system and a efficiency drive select mode that helps to reduce CO2 emissions and keep your mileage up, but we still got a fuel economy of just 9kmpl on average.

The Q7 comes stocked with great features such as automatic climate control, power windows, power steering with mounted steering controls, an inbuilt DSP audio system with a 6.5 inch centre console screen and 10 speakers, plus Bluetooth. There is also cruise control, Driver Information System, auto wipers, electric parking brake and keyless entry.

Safety Features include ABS with EBD, ESP, driver and passenger and side airbags, electric differential lock, and rear parking sensors.

All Audi vehicles are built very well and sue the highest quality materials you can find on a car. The fit and finish is very good and the car is built on a solid and strong chassis. Overall the quality is simply fantastic and the car is highly reliable. The only issue you will face is high maintenance costs.

The Q7 is a beast of a vehicle and it comes stocked with some great technology and very powerful engines, but it is priced a little steep, because all you are reall pying for is the added size.

When compared to the Mercedes and the BMW rivals, the Q7 does look good and it is undoubtedly the better car. Its design stands out but it is the perfect luxury SUV – but just for luxury and not for a little adventure. This vehicle is great for highways and small rough patches but it would have trouble keeping up with a proper off-roader. For city folk this is a good car, but for someone who wants to drive beyond the tarmac, you should look elsewhere. This is a luxury vehicle more than it is an SUV.