Road Test
Model: Audi Q7 V8
RRP: $116,800
Price as tested: $130,300
Also consider: Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (see here) Mercedes-Benz GL-Class (see here) BMW X5 (see here) VW Touareg (see here)
Overall rating: 4.0/5.0
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis: 4.5/5.0
Pricing/Packaging/Practicality: 3.5/5.0
Safety: 4.5/5.0
Behind the wheel: 4.5/5.0
X-factor: 3.5/5.0
Approaching the Audi Q7 for the first time is a humbling experience. Big? My Lord, it's bigger than life itself. It's enough to make even the grandest of mortals feel very, very small. Everything about this vehicle is absolutely enormous including the price. But that's only part of the story...
The German company has only recently launched itself onto the luxury SUV market Down Under giving its home town rivals Mercedes and BMW a big leg up into the niche segment. But if you're a fan of these vehicles the wait has been worth it -- the Q7 is a cracker (for CarPoint's launch review see here).
The 4.2 V8 version tested here sits at the top of a three-tiered tree with the 3.6 V6 petrol at $84,900 and 3.0 TDi diesel at $85,700 coming up the rear. There's also a mega-powerful turbodiesel V12 on the horizon.
The Q7's torquey V8 engine is a beauty. With a podgy 2240kg to motivate the 257kW/440Nm 4.2-litre V8 petrol donk is slightly sluggish off the line but once it gets going the Q7 rocks along very nicely indeed. Audi claims a 7.4sec 0-100km/h -- a time to which many sedans can only aspire.
The six-speed auto is silky smooth and steering wheel-mounted Tiptronic paddles are provided if you feel like being a bit sporty... And why not? Within reason, the Q7 is up for it.
The Q7's permanent all-wheel drive 'quattro' abilities are required for bush bashing but hardly come into play in city cruising. For the record though the Q7 is equipped with torque split capability, a self-locking centre differential and electronic diff lock on all wheels. But we tested the Q7 in its natural habitat -- the city. It's most unlikely many of these café cruisers will go anywhere near the bush. And almost none will have to endure Australia's treacherous outback tracks -- but Audi has gone out of its way to prove that they can.
The Q7 is a great drive. It possesses an excellent sedan-like ride; it's comfortable and truly enjoyable. The optional adaptive air suspension ($5750) allows the driver to dial up settings ranging from super squishy comfort mode to 'sport' that really tightens up the handling. The Q7's fantastic brakes wash off speed brilliantly too.
Much thought has been given to the cabin layout. The ergonomics are fantastic with everything coming easily to hand. The central control is logical and easy to use -- from changing radio stations to dialling up the climate control, changing the air suspension settings to choosing the Sat Nav destination.
There are plenty of helpful whiz bang gizmos to make life easier including the electronically-operated tailgate. And the reversing camera is not just handy -- it should be mandatory on a large vehicle like this.
The Q7 can be a handful in tight car parks and on the road the driver will feel conspicuous in congested traffic. But, of course, with a bigger size comes some benefits. The Q7 is extremely comfortable with plenty of room front and rear -- but there's more. With the optional third-row seating erected ($1700) seven people can sit in comfort -- a rare commodity these days.
The Q7 has a lot going for it. The V8 engine is very willing and the complete package is surprisingly sporty to drive. It's also undeniably luxurious with a well thought out cabin and it can seat mum and dad and a tribe of kids.
The negatives include less than ideal petrol consumption (we returned a touch over 15lt/100km including a mixture of city and highway cruising). There's also the Q7's hulking great size and the considerable price to consider -- and that's before you get too intimate with the extensive (and expensive) options list.
It is questionable whether the world needs leviathans like this. The one exception is the family of seven -- but how many of those are around these days? Whether the Q7 meets consumer needs though is ultimately up to the (cashed up) individual.
Related articles:
Audi Q7 Local Launch Review
Audi Q7 International Launch Review