Cruise in luxury with the new Audi Q7
Might be easier to start with what isnât new â which isnât much. The eagerly-awaited second-generation Q7 has had a complete make-over and boasts the kind of technology more akin to Nasa than a family car. Itâs sleeker, smaller, greener, and significantly lighter, but still more than up to the task of transporting seven adults in style.
Thanks to a few neat design tricks, the Q7 is more muscular than its predecessor, and even though it has shed a few pounds and inches, it has sacrificed none of the space synonymous with the class.
On the inside, Audi continues to lead the way, the sumptuous cabin offset by the clean lines of a dashboard that boasts a virtual cockpit and innovation that continues to push the boundaries, but doesnât lose the driver along the way.
Thereâs no getting away from the fact the Q7 is big machine, but the designers at Audi have succeeded in disguising the bulk. Itâs narrower and slightly higher that the original and the sharp lines and curved rear give it a more compact feel. The front of the car is completely dominated by the huge 3D hexagonal single-frame grille flanked by double-arrow design Xenon plus headlights that cut into the side panels.
The back is not quite as dramatic, but the rounded styling, tinted windows, huge panoramic glass roof on the model tested adds to the very modern feel. The entry model has 18â alloys, upgraded to 20â on the S-line.
The Q7 is a large family, 4-wheel drive SUV. With seven seats standard on all models overall space is not an issue â itâs more about how that space is used. The standard seating configuration is 2/3/2, with the middle three seats easily manoeuvred forward. The two sides seats in the second row can also be folded up completely, permitting easy entry into the back row.
In theory, the Q7 seats seven adults, but the legroom in the back row is a little restrictive, so it better suits two children, especially on longer journeys. Six of the seven seats can be fitted with a child seat. The second row is very generous, but itâs in the front row where the Q7 comes into its own.
The front seats are large, plush, firm and very comfortable â with good visibility, if a little restricted over the driverâs shoulder.
The optional Virtual Cockpit, borrowed from the TT, replaces the standard dash with a 12.5â screen, offering a range of readings in HD. However, the optional Head Up Display, for an additional âŹ2,000, is one feature I could live without.
The boot size varies from impressive to cavernous â 770 litres with the back row folded away, close to 2,000 litres with the second row down and with all the seats in play, about the same as your average family car.
Given its sheer size, the Q7 takes a little getting used to, especially around town. Itâs available in two 3.0 engine sizes â the 272bhp TDI and the 333bhp TFSI, each with an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission. Thanks to the new lightweight platform, which shaves 325kg off the overall weight (the equivalent in bulk to a grand piano, according to the helpful press release) and Audiâs âultraâ engine technology, the Q7 is greener and more efficient â although still thirsty on shorter journeys. Even with a full load, itâs very responsive on the everyday, school-type runs, but it comes into its own on the open road where itâs up there with the best of the big cruisers.
The drive select system offers seven modes â auto, comfort, efficiency, dynamic, individual, and even though Audi has included two off-road options, itâs not really an all-terrain contender.
The Q7 is at the upper end of the market, but when youâre forking out the best part of âŹ90k, youâd like a little more love for your money. The standard spec range is extensive â but falls short of what youâd expect from a car of this class. And even if youâre fortunate enough to be able to afford one, the cost of the optional add-ons will test your mettle.
Understandably the model tested had the full range of bells and whistles â which added a whopping âŹ30k extra to the final bill, including âŹ3,274 for adaptive air suspension; âŹ1,834 for all-wheel steering; âŹ2,795 for the panoramic roof; âŹ1,533 for the matrix beams; âŹ720 for the reversing camera; âŹ1,581 for metallic paint, and âŹ2,777 for whatâs neatly being labelled the âtour assistance packâ â essentially adaptive cruise control and some neat technology that drives the car on its own at low speeds in traffic.
In the rarefied air of the luxury 7-seater SUV market, the Q7 is a very impressive package, and is likely to hold its own.
Five-star.
family holiday, it would be luxury cruise in the Caribbean.
