Audi's second-generation Q7 large SUV arrived in 2015, and while it follows the template set by its predecessor and the rival BMW X5 and Volvo XC90, it also evolves the concept of the fall-size crossover.
Like many premium brands offering SUVs, Audi’s main focus was North America. As the SUV developed from the original 4x4 concept, buyers were metropolitan types who navigated the urban jungle Monday to Friday but headed for the open spaces at the weekend. They wanted handling, comfort, the practicality of an estate and some off-road potential.
Like many premium brands offering SUVs, Audi’s main focus was North America. As the SUV developed from the original 4x4 concept, buyers were metropolitan types who navigated the urban jungle Monday to Friday but headed for the open spaces at the weekend. They wanted handling, comfort, the practicality of an estate and some off-road potential.
Next key step was to offer the cabin flexibility of MPVs. As MPVs declined sales of SUVs went through the roof.
True to form, the new Q7 offers a 5+2 (seven-seat) layout - with enough room for adults in the “+2s”, if not for too long a trip perhaps. Despite being smaller (fractionally) overall there’s some luggage space with all seats in use, and a very generous load-space with the back two seats folded and a vast amount of room centre row tipped forward.
That centre row is made up of three individual seats which fold individually and also slide fore and aft for access to the back so passenger/load balance is variable. Moreover the “+2s” fold electrically and tailgate is also powered - all of which makes life easier.
Other items of standard equipment include the usual communications/infotainment links together with SatNav (all quite ‘interactive’). Drive Select adjusts the vehicle’s responses and there’s a “parking system plus” device too. As expected, a raft of technology controls the Q7’s dynamics and braking (autonomous or otherwise).
Model line-up is SE and S Line. The S Line adds all-weather LED headlights, 20” alloy wheels (rather than 19”), privacy glass and some “styling enhancements”. Two engine options are on offer here, a 3.0 TDI V6 Diesel producing either 218 or 272ps. Transmission is an eight-speed tiptronic auto only. Asking prices: £48,455-£54,540.
Adaptive air-suspension is an extra £2,000 which takes the maximum braked trailer weight up to 3,500kg from 2,800kg and, for example, also adds to ground clearance off-road. As with its competitors the list of extras is long and expensive even when grouped together such as the ‘Tour Pack’ at £1,705 or ‘Technology Pack’ at £1,950.
Recently a faster SQ7 (4.0 TDI V8 435ps; £70,970) has been added to the range and a lower CO2 Diesel-Electric plug-in hybrid Q7 e-tron (3.0 TDI 258ps; £64,950).
Vehicle on test was the 218ps variant but with S Line trim (£50,420). It is a spacious touring motor car and the ‘basic’ engine is more than up to the job. Quiet, relaxed, beautifully put together the Q7 is quite understated despite its size and (2t+) weight.
In fact, due to its aluminium and high-tensile steel construction, it is “up to 352kg lighter than before”. Part of VW Group’s vast modular build programme the Q7 is a member of the MLB-evo large car family with classic rear wheel drive/4x4 layouts. Others include the Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Panamera and soon-to-arrive VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne replacements. There is also talk of an Audi Q8.
This Audi’s all-wheel drive system is described as “permanent” and deploys both a torque-sensing self-locking centre differential together with a limited slip differential for the rear axle. There are hill-hold and hill-descent controls and, in off-road mode, the rest of the Q7’s electronics (traction, stability, suspension, etc.) adapt to the changed conditions. Up to 85% of the drive can be directed to front or rear axles.
A decent 4x4 by the standards of the day. Only Range Rover Sport and Touareg offer (at extra cost) a transfer box and low ratios. On-road the Q7 is accomplished and poised - if rather clinical and detached. It lacks the driver involvement of the Range Rover or Porsche but it’s an Audi characteristic which clearly appeals to its clientele. All told, this ground-up renewal has taken Q7 refinement to a new level.
FACTS & FIGURES: 134mph; 0-62mph 7.3 seconds; 48.7mpg (official combined); 29 on test (TripComputer average 31.6 with a gentle driving ‘best’ of 32-34); CO2 150g/km; Road Tax ‘F’/£145; Insurance Group 36; Max Braked Trailer Wgt (above).
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
True to form, the new Q7 offers a 5+2 (seven-seat) layout - with enough room for adults in the “+2s”, if not for too long a trip perhaps. Despite being smaller (fractionally) overall there’s some luggage space with all seats in use, and a very generous load-space with the back two seats folded and a vast amount of room centre row tipped forward.
That centre row is made up of three individual seats which fold individually and also slide fore and aft for access to the back so passenger/load balance is variable. Moreover the “+2s” fold electrically and tailgate is also powered - all of which makes life easier.
Other items of standard equipment include the usual communications/infotainment links together with SatNav (all quite ‘interactive’). Drive Select adjusts the vehicle’s responses and there’s a “parking system plus” device too. As expected, a raft of technology controls the Q7’s dynamics and braking (autonomous or otherwise).
Model line-up is SE and S Line. The S Line adds all-weather LED headlights, 20” alloy wheels (rather than 19”), privacy glass and some “styling enhancements”. Two engine options are on offer here, a 3.0 TDI V6 Diesel producing either 218 or 272ps. Transmission is an eight-speed tiptronic auto only. Asking prices: £48,455-£54,540.
Adaptive air-suspension is an extra £2,000 which takes the maximum braked trailer weight up to 3,500kg from 2,800kg and, for example, also adds to ground clearance off-road. As with its competitors the list of extras is long and expensive even when grouped together such as the ‘Tour Pack’ at £1,705 or ‘Technology Pack’ at £1,950.
Recently a faster SQ7 (4.0 TDI V8 435ps; £70,970) has been added to the range and a lower CO2 Diesel-Electric plug-in hybrid Q7 e-tron (3.0 TDI 258ps; £64,950).
Vehicle on test was the 218ps variant but with S Line trim (£50,420). It is a spacious touring motor car and the ‘basic’ engine is more than up to the job. Quiet, relaxed, beautifully put together the Q7 is quite understated despite its size and (2t+) weight.
In fact, due to its aluminium and high-tensile steel construction, it is “up to 352kg lighter than before”. Part of VW Group’s vast modular build programme the Q7 is a member of the MLB-evo large car family with classic rear wheel drive/4x4 layouts. Others include the Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Panamera and soon-to-arrive VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne replacements. There is also talk of an Audi Q8.
This Audi’s all-wheel drive system is described as “permanent” and deploys both a torque-sensing self-locking centre differential together with a limited slip differential for the rear axle. There are hill-hold and hill-descent controls and, in off-road mode, the rest of the Q7’s electronics (traction, stability, suspension, etc.) adapt to the changed conditions. Up to 85% of the drive can be directed to front or rear axles.
A decent 4x4 by the standards of the day. Only Range Rover Sport and Touareg offer (at extra cost) a transfer box and low ratios. On-road the Q7 is accomplished and poised - if rather clinical and detached. It lacks the driver involvement of the Range Rover or Porsche but it’s an Audi characteristic which clearly appeals to its clientele. All told, this ground-up renewal has taken Q7 refinement to a new level.
FACTS & FIGURES: 134mph; 0-62mph 7.3 seconds; 48.7mpg (official combined); 29 on test (TripComputer average 31.6 with a gentle driving ‘best’ of 32-34); CO2 150g/km; Road Tax ‘F’/£145; Insurance Group 36; Max Braked Trailer Wgt (above).
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the Farmers' Union of Wales.
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