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The Q7 has been Audi’s flagship SUV ever since it was first introduced in 2006. It resonates opulence on the inside, while on the outside, it’s a marriage of striking design elements and a muscular stance.
If you’re looking for an ambidextrous SUV that is filled to the brim with luxury and practicality, the Q7 should be your hands-on choice. The Q7 has been Audi’s flagship SUV ever since it was first introduced in 2006. It resonates opulence on the inside, while on the outside, it’s a marriage of striking design elements and a muscular stance.
However, the Q7 comes with a hefty price tag, and its cramped third row of seats and low fuel economy doesn’t strengthen Audi’s case. While the Q7 remains unchanged in almost all aspects, the introduction of a new standard eight-speed automatic transmission and a new V6 engine with the S-line models are something buyers should look out for.
The Audi Q7 is available in three different trims, each of which features a standard 3.0L V6 engine that comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and is channeled as an all-wheel-drive variant. As standard, the Q7 includes hi-tech features like dual-zone front climate control, interior air filtration, heated mirrors, and rear-ventilation ducts. The Audi Q7 falls in a price bandwidth that stretches from a little over the $46,000 mark to a little under the $60,000. Audi also offers the Q7 with a diesel engine option.
Trims |
Premium |
Premium Plus |
S Line |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$46,250 |
$46,250 |
$59,450 |
Key Features |
Cruise Control |
Cruise Control |
Backup camera |
|
Premium sound system |
Premium sound system |
Remote trunk release |
|
Leather seats |
Leather seats |
Sun/moonroof |
|
Vehicle anti-theft system |
Backup camera |
Blindspot monitor |
|
Trail hitch receiver |
HID Headlights |
Premium sound system |
|
Power liftgate |
Optional sun/moonroof |
Cooled driver seats |
|
Rear parking aid |
Rear parking aid |
Hard-disk drive |
We Recommend
We recommend buying the Premium Plus variant of the Audi Q7 which is similarly priced as the base Premium trim but gets additional features as options that the buyer can include in his car by paying some extra money. However, if you are looking for abundant power in a vehicle that can seat passengers, we suggest buying the top-rack variant, the S Line.
How powerful your Audi Q7 is will depend on the trim you choose for. The Audi Q7 as standard uses a 3.0L V6 engine that produces 272hp of power and 295lb.-ft of torque. Though the top-rack variant also uses a V6 engine, it is more finely tuned and produces higher outputs, managing 333hp of engine power and 325 lb.-ft of torque. As standard, the Q7 comes mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission that is equipped with a dynamic shift program and is channeled as an all-wheel-drive variant. The base trim Q7 manages to accelerate from a still to the 60 MPH mark in 7.9 seconds and records a top speed of 138 MPH.
Model |
Audi Q7 |
BMW X5 |
Porsche Cayenne |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$46,250 |
$46,300 |
$50,700 |
Engine |
3.0L V6 |
3.0L V6 |
3.6L V6 |
Drivetrain |
All-wheel-drive |
All-wheel-drive |
All-wheel-drive |
Transmission |
8-speed-automatic |
8-speed-automatic |
8-speed-automatic |
Power |
272hp |
300hp |
300hp |
Torque |
295lb.-ft |
300lb.-ft |
295lb.-ft |
0-60 MPH (seconds) |
7.9 seconds |
6.8 seconds |
7.4 seconds |
Quarter mile (mph) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Top speed (mph) |
138 MPH |
146 MPH |
N/A |
In comparison, the 300 hp producing engine of the BMW X5 is the fastest to reach the 60 MPH mark in 6.8 seconds. The Porsche Cayenne is marginally quicker than the Audi Q7 taking 7.4 seconds in the acceleration test. While quarter-mile figures are not known, the X5 records a higher top-speed at 146 MPH. All three cars in the segment make use of an 8-speed-automatic transmission and are available as all-wheel-drive variants.
The Audi Q7 manages an average mileage of 16 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway. Combined, the Audi Q7 manages an average of 18 miles per gallon of fuel. Perhaps, one aspect that does exert its ascendancy over its competitors is the amount of distance it can cover in a single fuel refill. The fuel tank that the Q7 features has a total capacity of 26.4 gallons. Fill the tank to the brim, and the Audi covers 422.4 and 580.4 miles in the city and on the highway, respectively.
Model |
Audi Q7 |
BMW X5 |
Porsche Cayenne |
---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
16 |
16 |
16 |
MPG (Highway) |
22 |
23 |
23 |
MPG (Combined) |
18 |
19 |
19 |
Fuel Capacity |
26.4 gallons |
22.5 gallons |
22.4 gallons |
Range (City/hwy) |
422.4/580.4 mi |
360/517.5 mi |
358.4/515.2 mi |
In comparison, both the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne one-up the Audi Q7 by averaging a combined mileage of 19 miles per gallon of fuel. However, they do feature smaller fuel tanks with a total capacity of 22.5 and 22.4 gallons respectively, and consequently cover a lesser range when compared with the Q7.
The cabin is where the buyer will realize the true potential that the Q7 holds; it is a true Audi at heart. While curating the cabin of the Q7, the engineers at Audi have prioritized meticulousness and consistency. The leather seats feel lively while the interior is coupled with the wooden accents that run through the dash, making the interiors exciting. The infotainment system that sits centrally and the console that houses the transmission and rotary knob feels practical and pragmatic. The seats are finely crafted, and even on long drives, feel comfortable.
Even during cornering, the Q7 maintains its integrity, but the second row of seats is best suited for two adults only. The third row of seats, like every other SUV, feel cramped and are best for kids only. The Audi Q7 is the only car in the segment that can seat 7 passengers. It has a total head-, shoulder- and legroom of 40/58.7/41.3 and 38.2/57.1/37.1 inches for the front and middle row passengers, respectively. The Q7 has a total cargo capacity of 10.9 cubic feet at maximum occupancy and can be increased to 72.5 cubic feet with the rear and middle seats folded.
Model |
Audi Q7 |
BMW X5 |
Porsche Cayenne |
---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
7 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
40/58.7/41.3 |
36.6/60/40 |
N/A |
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
38.2/57.1/37.1 |
39.3/58/36.6 |
N/A |
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Cargo Capacity to 3rd seat (cu-ft) |
10.9 |
N/A |
N/A |
Cargo Capacity to 2nd seat (cu-ft) |
42 |
21.9 |
23.7 |
Cargo Capacity to 1st seat (cu-ft) |
72.5 |
61.8 |
62.9 |
In comparison, both the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne can accommodate 5 passengers only. While the interior space for the Cayenne is not known, the BMW has a total head-, shoulder- and legroom of 36.6/60/40 and 39.3/58/36.6 inches for the front and rear passengers, respectively. In terms of cargo capacity, both the BMW and the Porsche have relatively lower cargo capacity and can manage an overall 61.8 and 62.9 cubic feet, respectively. Some salient features include:
The infotainment system on the Q7 makes use of Audi’s traditional Multimedia Interface or MMI software, which gets connected to the LCD screen that sits centrally. The Audi Q7 makes use of the rotary knob to control the infotainment system, which may seem complicated at first, but starts to grow on the buyer. Standard infotainment features include AM/FM Stereo, CD player, and HD radio. It comes connected to an 11-speaker sound system with the base trim, while higher trims are eligible for a 14-speaker Bose sound system that works exceptionally well. Some standout features include:
The consistency in the Q7’s design is also reflected in its exterior design. The Q7 feels bulky and burly, and the athletic stance reassures the buyer of the car’s size. The front-grille looks all-encompassing and takes center stage, while at the rear, the spoiler and exhaust notes look rather sporty.
The Q7 reeks of refinement; the head and tail lights look elegant and minimalistic and add depth to the designing. The Q7 is 200.3 inches long, and as a result, has the longest wheelbase that stands at 118.2 inches. It is 78.1 inches wide and 68.4 inches in height. The total ground clearance of 8.1 inches, the lowest in the class, but it is adequate considering that the Q7 was never produced for off-roading.
Model |
Audi Q7 |
BMW X5 |
Porsche Cayenne |
---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
5192 |
4960 |
4475 |
Length (in.) |
200.3 |
191.1 |
190.8 |
Width (in.) |
78.1 |
76.3 |
76.5 |
Height (in.) |
68.4 |
67.4 |
69.3 |
Ground Clearance (in.) |
8.1 |
8.3 |
8.7 |
Wheelbase (in.) |
118.2 |
114 |
114.8 |
In comparison, the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne are considerably shorter in length. The Porsche is the tallest car in the segment standing at a total height of 76.5 inches and has a best-in-class ground clearance of 8.7 inches. In terms of curb weight, the Audi Q7 is the heaviest car in the segment at 5,192 lbs, followed by the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne that weigh 4,960 and 4,475 lbs, respectively. Salient exterior features include:
The 2011 Audi Q7 scores a rating of “Good” in the IIHS crash tests, which reflect the safety standards of the SUV. The Q7 is a host of active and passive safety features, which include driver and passenger airbags, traction control, and brake assist. It features 4-wheel disc brakes and performs well in the deceleration test. Other standout features include:
The Audi Q7 is a class apart. It is a generalist that exceeds in safety, passenger space, and performs seemingly when it comes to acceleration. However, the Q7 does feel cramped at the rear and its fuel economy is inferior to other cars in the segment. There is a lot that Q7 has to offer, and if you are looking for a car that can ferry your family without any difficulty, the Audi Q7 is the ultimate choice.