Delivering more of what today’s buyers are demanding, Audi completely redesigned the Q7 to make it an outstanding luxury SUV.
The 2017 Q7 is sleeker and more stylish than before, and it is also significantly lighter. As a result, it is more fuel efficient and has a more contemporary look and feel.
However, the Audi Q7 has many worthy competitors, many which have also been recently refreshed. Natural rivals include the Volvo XC90, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, to name a few.
Rebuilt from the ground up, the 2017 Q7 boasts many small improvements over the previous generation. The sum of the changes could easily make it the best in this class.
Design
For the all-new Q7, Audi uses a mixed-material construction that puts advanced materials in the right places. With an aluminum-intensive architecture, the Q7 is nearly 500 pounds lighter than the previous generation, yet it’s more rigid.
Although known for its evolutionary design philosophy, Audi gave the second-generation Q7 quite a change in design. The styling is still sophisticated, but it’s sleeker and less “harsh.” This results in an impressively aerodynamic shape for an SUV.
Also, wheelbase and exterior dimensions were marginally decreased. The Q7’s centre of gravity is 1.7 inches lower, which greatly improves handling and further helps economy.
Reflecting its new personality, Audi’s iconic grille has a more three-dimensional look and the edgier fascia follows suit. The character lines running along the side are more defined and the mirrors are mounted lower on the doors.
Getting into an Audi Q7 is a delightful experience. The recast dash features an A8-style double-inlay design.
Performance
Already one of the best handling three-row SUVs on the market, the svelte new Q7 elevates its fun-to-drive nature to a new level.
Big proponents in that effort are the new, five-link front and rear suspension setups, nicely weighted electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering, and of course, Audi’s famed quattro all-wheel drive system. With these, the new Q7 has class-leading agility and body control.
This sharp dynamism complements the quick acceleration from the Q7’s supercharged V-6. The existing 3.0-litre gas-powered engine continues to make 333 horsepower and 325 foot-pounds of torque, but since it has less mass to haul it can reach 100 kilometres per hour in just 5.7 seconds.
Mated to a responsive eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission, the powertrain is also more fuel efficient than in the past. The 11.1 (litres/100 kilometres) combined rating is 2.2 better than the old model.
Currently, this is the only available setup for the Q7. However, a six-cylinder diesel and the Audi Q7 e-tron, a plug-in hybrid, are expected to be available later.
Driving along the highway, the Audi is supremely comfortable. The cabin is library-quiet as there is next to no engine, road or wind noise.
If you want your Q7 to be even smoother, opt for the adaptive air suspension. It is a costly option, but it makes this family SUV feel like a Bentley.
And, despite this SUV’s amazing comfort, it still corners very well. You always know what this new Q7 is doing underneath you, whereas driving the old model down a twisty road was a bit of a wrestling match.
Though the Q7 is quite a large vehicle, it’s not that intimidating to drive. Obviously, being an SUV you sit up high giving a good view ahead, but it’s also easy to see where the corners of the nose are, making it easy to maneuver in tight areas. The A-pillars are not too fat and therefore don’t create a large blind spot, and the same can be said looking over both shoulders and behind.
Environment
While the exterior dimensions of the Q7 have shrunken slightly, interior space has actually grown. This creates an open and airy atmosphere inside.
Sitting up front is unsurprisingly comfortable, but several small details take it to the next level. The gear selector doubles as a rest for your wrist when operating the infotainment system’s touch pad and swivel dial. Also, a massive vent runs the width of the dash. The centre section releases soft-flowing air to keep cabin temperature consistent without blasting it straight at you like the normal vents.
Popping out of the top of the dash is a thin colour screen that displays the infotainment system. It is a slick design and the controls are intuitive. This system can run navigation using Google Maps, and connect to the Internet if you want to check the weather or news headlines.
Also available on the Q7 is Audi’s virtual cockpit. This allows the driver to customize the instrument gauges so they always have the info most important to them directly in front of them.
The first thing to note about the rear seats is that the Q7 comes standard with child seat mounting points in all outer rear seats. And, to make them quick and simple to use, Audi fits a pad over them that is clearly marked and easily removed.
For adults, the rear seats provide plenty of headroom, and the second row seats slide forward and back individually to give passengers loads of legroom. If you need a quick nap, the outer seat backs recline.
It must be said, the centre rear seat is narrower than the other two, but three adults could sit abreast for a short amount of time. Also, while the transmission tunnel is rather large, the footwells are quite wide, so everyone should have somewhere to put their feet.
Accessing the third row is not the easiest thing to do. Folding the second row seat requires a strong pull to get started, but is electronically assisted after that. Folding the third row up and down is also electronically operated, but can feel a little slow if you’re impatient.
Nimble adults who can climb into the rearmost seats will find just enough room for their head and feet. Since the seat bottoms are low, however, the seating position will quickly become uncomfortable – the third row is best left to children.
Equally important to carrying a lot of people is carrying all of their stuff. Standard configuration offers 10.9 cubic feet, but that can expand to 14.8 if the passenger space is unneeded.
Features
Available in three trim levels, starting prices for the Audi Q7 range from $65,200 to 73,500.
Standard equipment includes keyless entry, three-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, and a power tailgate.
Additional features, available as options or on higher trims, include four-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, topview camera system, auto-dimming mirrors, rearview camera, and LED headlights.
Fuel efficiency numbers (l/100 km) are 12.6 city, 9.4 highway and 11.1 combined.
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Audi’s virtual cockpit makes every drive an advanced technology experience, while the Q7’s suspension ensures the utmost comfort.
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If you spend a lot of time off-road, or need to tow a large trailer, you should consider a V8-powered alternatives from other companies.
The bottom line
For those who want a technologically advanced and supremely comfortable seven-seater SUV, take a long look at the Audi Q7.
Competitors
Volvo XC90: The all-new XC90 has a confident new look and ushers in a bright new era for Volvo. Already receiving a lot of fanfare, the XC90 was the first to feature Volvo’s new powertrain and safety technologies.
Named 2016 North American Truck of the Year, prices for the XC90 start at $61,300.
BMW X5: The BMW X5 is a great looking SUV inside and out and offers a level of refinement that rivals many vehicles priced much higher. The previous generation X5 didn’t garner the highest reliability ratings, but the new model promises to be much better.
The X5 comes in four models with prices starting at $66,300 and ranging up to $78,500.
Mercedes-Benz GLE: Mercedes-Benz is currently undergoing a restructuring and renaming of its complete lineup. The GLE is the new name of the outgoing M-Class and parallels the E-Series sedan.
The GLE has a wide range of prices, starting at $63,200 and going up to $113,700.
