2007 Audi Q7 Review

PROS
Lots of passenger and cargo room, Polished and functional interior, Ample power

CONSPoor fuel economy, Compromised third-row seat

Audi gets an "A" for effort
The Q7 is Audi's first-ever true SUV. It shares chassis components and engines with the Volkswagen Touareg. Compared to the Touareg, the Q7 is longer and seats up to seven instead of just five. It competes with other midsize-luxury SUVs like the Acura MDX, BMW X5, Infiniti FX, Lexus GX, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Volvo XC90.

Q7 is available with either a 3.6-liter V6 or 4.2-liter V8 engine. The V6 makes 280 horsepower while the V8 makes 350 horsepower. Both engines mate to a 6-speed automatic transmission that features available steering-wheel mounted paddles for manual operation. Included with either engine is Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. It is designed to deliver power to the wheel with the most grip on low-traction surfaces but does not have a low-range and is intended for on-road use only.

Standard safety features include antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, stability/traction control, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Optional are second-row side airbags and Audi's Side Assist, which is warns drivers of vehicles in blind spots by flashing small lights in the side-view mirrors.

Available features include voice-activated navigation system, Bluetooth cell-phone link, adaptive cruise control, 20-inch wheels, driver-adjustable suspension, rear-view camera, keyless entry and starting system, and sunroof. The sunroof has a conventional front panel that tilts and opens, a fixed panel over second-row seats, and a tilt-up third pane over the last row of seats. All three glass panels have sunshades.

Q7 prices start at $39,900 for the base V6 and range up to $59,000 for the V8 with Premium Package.

Get up and Go
Audi's 4.2-liter V8 is a fantastic engine. So much so that Audi also makes it available in stable mates A8, A6, and A4. In all, the 4.2-liter V8 is a powerhouse off the line and a locomotive in highway passing situations. In addition, the engine is quite smooth and has very linear power delivery.

Sadly, Audi has gummed up the engine's impressive output with a finicky throttle and recalcitrant transmission. When pulling away from stoplights, a light touch on the gas leads to a second-gear launch and lazy acceleration. A firmer stab leads to jackrabbit starts. There doesn't seem to be an in-between setting and it's frustrating.

As expected of a vehicle with EPA ratings of 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, the Q7 isn't going to win any fuel economy awards. In routine driving, look to average about 16 mpg with a high of 20 mpg in sedate highway cruising. Compounding A8's poor fuel economy is Audi's recommendation of more-expensive premium-grade fuel for the 4.2-liter V8.

On the RoadAvailable on the Q7 is a driver-adjustable air suspension.  Using Audi's MMI interface, the driver can select between Off-road, Comfort, Automatic, and Dynamic settings. There's also a setting for lowering the vehicle to make it easier to get in and out.

When set to Comfort, the suspension does a good job of filtering out most large road imperfections. However, it doesn't eliminate bumps; rather it isolates occupants and reduces the amount of redundant motions caused by that bump. Comfort mode does allow some bounce on rough roads, but it's nothing like what SUVs riders might expect.

In Automatic or Dynamic, ride motions are better kept in check at the expense of a firmer ride. The ride is never harsh, but it is noticeably firmer, almost busy feeling. As a result, most drivers will probably want to leave the suspension set to Comfort and switch it into Dynamic when feeling a little frisky.

Though the Q7 is a large SUV it doesn't drive like one. It's more agile than one might expect and more nimble than most compact SUVs. Brakes are strong and sure. The body structure is extremely stiff, giving Q7 a very solid, bank-vault feel on rough roads.

The steering can feel overly firm at highway speeds and lacks on-center feel, but at parking speeds it lightens up considerably. At night, the Q7's adaptive headlights quickly and smoothly scan to the left and right in turns. The system works better than in most competitors and really provides an added safety measure.

Behind the WheelTalk to any Audi owner and the first thing they are likely to boast about is the polished and refined interior of their car. Long an Audi trademark, the Q7's interior is about as posh as they come. Nearly every surface is padded and those that aren't are covered in real wood or polished aluminum. Even the roof pillars are covered in fabric.

Control layout is nearly perfect and would be perfect if Audi were to do away with the MMI system. Yes, it eliminates a sea of buttons and knobs, but it also makes changing the radio station a minimum of two clicks away and, regardless of operation, is more distracting to operate than the alternative of pressing a button.

Audi is not alone amongst luxury automakers in the game of offering a single control for multiple functions. BMW has iDrive, Mercedes has COMMAND, and Acura's got a system with no name that is more confusing than all to operate. What's really disappointing is that the auto manufacturers sell these systems on their ease of use. After a few minutes behind the wheel that's clearly not the case. What these control systems really offer is a way for automakers to reduce costs and assembly-line complexity. In the end, they probably lower the cost of a vehicle, but add a level of complexity that takes away from the task at hand--driving.

Front seats are firmer than the luxury-car norm, but comfortable on long drives. Leg-room is exceptional and head room better than average. A standard power tilt/telescope steering wheel is nice, but power-adjustable pedals would be a boon for shorter drivers.

The second-row seats are just as firm as the front seats, but aren't contoured for long-haul comfort. They do offer above-average head and leg room thought they aren't as roomy as the Q7's size might suggest because Audi's compromised second-row room to squeeze in a pair of child-sized seats. It's a good thing that only children can fit in the third-row seats because they are the only ones nimble enough to squeeze back there.

Cargo room is exceptional if the third-row seats are folded flat; good if the seats are in use. Folding third- and second-row seats isn't difficult and you don't have to remove the headrests--a nice touch. The cargo floor is a bit higher than expected and the roof is a little lower, so overall cargo space isn't as expansive as some competitors, but it's more than ample for most situations.

Bottom LineDynamically, Audi's new Q7 is one of the top performing SUVs. It's got plenty of power, fantastic moves, and rock solid structure. Inside, the Q7 is also a big winner with a roomy interior, fancy fittings, and more gadgets than 007.

The Q7's only drawback may be its price tag. It isn't more expensive than other luxury SUVs, but you can get 90% of the goodness of the Q7 for $10,000 less. What you'll miss is the unique flavor that is Audi--a blend of luxury, sophistication, and performance that's not found anywhere else.