Audi's Q7 brings a spirited attitude to the upscale, full-size luxury crossover segment. That can be a tall order for a three-row, seven-passenger vehicle, but Q7 seems more than up to the challenge.
Since 1964, Audi has remained a premium sub brand of parent company Volkswagen, Europe's largest automaker, whose corral of aspirational automobiles available in the U.S. also includes Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche.
Audi's sporting a Q prefix reflect a crossover body style. At the tail end of the alpha-numeric code, the larger the suffix, the bigger the vehicle (compact Q3, mid-size Q5, and full-size Q7). The Q incorporates a double meaning as all crossovers include Audi's "Quattro' four-wheel drive standard.
The second-generation 2017 Q7 ranks as the first Audi model utilizing the VW family's MLB light-weight architecture and chassis. It measures in 1.5 inches shorter and 0.6 inches narrower than Gen One, but interior headroom increases by 1.6 inches.
This new architecture puts Q7 on a weight-loss program through a greater percentage of high-strength steel, front and rear multi-link suspensions utilizing more light-weight aluminum. Audi claims a 700-pound weight savings, waltzing in as one of the lighter crossovers in the seven-seat premium segment.
Audi's four linked-ring logo tells a historical tale, representing a merger that took place in the early 1930s. Four automotive-related German companies (Audi, Horch, DKW and Wanderer) joined forces as the Auto Union. When Volkswagen took ownership after several interventions, Audi remained the most viable. These linked rings stand prominent within the 2017's Q7's HUGE, slated, hexagonal front grille.
Other exterior tweaks include arrow-head shaped LED daytime running lights within narrow headlight housing. Narrow tail light housing boasts a double arrow design of LED lighting. All trims enjoy a long, two-panel panoramic power sunroof this model year.
The second-generation Q7 has been on sale in the U.S. since spring 2016. Audi U.S. sales in 2016 totaled 210,213 up 4 percent. The Q7 represents a healthy 30,563 units of this slice. Audi's slightly smaller Q5 crossover receives a next-generation makeover in the 2018 model year.
The Q7 shares family underpinnings with other large-platform Volkswagen crossovers including the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. Three Q7 trims include Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige.
Under hood expect a silky-smooth; updated V-6 naturally aspired 'Supercharged' engine delivering 333 horsepower. It's the sole engine available in the U.S. and mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. A V-6 turbo diesel was originally slated as a second 2017 option, but shelved after revelations in 2015 of VW's self-inflicted software manipulation measuring diesel particulate pollutants.
Supercharging differs technically from turbocharging. Audi's Q7 supercharger is more compact and less complex than a turbocharger. Superchargers use a belt-driven engine compressor to draw a higher volume of air into cylinders for immediate responsive feedback, eliminating the delayed effects of 'turbo lag,' a pause between accelerator pedal usage and engine response felt with some turbochargers.
Fuel estimates deliver a non-impressive 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway utilizing premium fuel, but would register even less if not for Q7's relatively seamless start-stop technology.
This system quiets the engine at prolonged stops, than wakes it up once the right foot lifts from the brake pedal. If desired, the system may be switched off via a dashboard button.
For a bigger-sized vehicle, Q7 handles aggressive cornering with driver's experiencing minimal body sway. Also, electronic power steering creates ease of maneuvering of this large crossover. New for 2017: all-wheel-steering, assisting during tight parking maneuvers with rear wheels steering opposite of the front two.
Push-button start comes standard, but direct access sometimes gets impaired by the steering wheel. With the engine activated, a multi-function color 8.3-inch flat screen motors up from the extensive, flowing dashboard top.
Screen functions are remotely called into action via secondary steering wheel buttons, or primary dials and push monitors between comfy and supportive front buckets. Also lifting up from the top dash during push start: two corner-mounted audio speakers (optional in our Prestige trim) enhancing audio pleasures.
An available adjustable air suspension (one of seven available drive modes) allows drivers to tailor ride height, useful during light off-roading. The off-road setting raises the height by 60 mm. While not a truck-centric body-on-frame platform, Q7's enhanced unibody (carlike) construction balances ride comfort with light off-roading abilities.
Pricing starts at a luxury-inspired $54,800 and escalates from there. Our tester's Prestige trim enhancements added $9,500 including electronic tilt/telescope steering wheel, in-dash navigation, heads up display, 10-spoke 20-inch wheels, smartphone interface and interior lighting package.
Other stand-alone extras: a $575 Glacier White metallic paint, $5,000 advanced sound system (with 23 speakers) and $4,000 adaptive chassis package. With a $950 destination charge, the bottom line landed at a healthy $74,825.
The half-moon shaped, animated, highly detailed 12.3-inch instrument panel display gets flanked at both ends by two permanently placed half-moon bar-type gauges: a right-side fuel indicator and left-side temperature readout.
Animation between includes two colorful circles. The right orb contains an outer frame, needle-indicated speedometer with a digital readout in the center. The left circle's center contains the engine's current gear with an outer-edge tachometer.
The mid-section includes a window with multi-screen selections called to action via the steering wheel: a secondary navigation feed, scrollable audio/station selection and vehicle information.
At night, thin pen-light accents cuts across the narrow, horizontally-framed center dash while adding curved, 'swoosh' door accents then framing the center console between front bucket seats. When starting the car after dark, white striping takes hold. When shifting into gear, the hue switches over to a fire red.
The in-dash navigation system is less intuitive, taking a bit longer to familiarize than other recently tested domestic models, but of Germany's tech-obsessive Big-Three luxury brands (Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi), the four-ringer still rates as the most user friendly among the Euros .
The electronic transmission operates via an ergonomically-friendly stubby T-bar between front buckets. A gentle push forward once engaging a thumb-controlled release button summons reverse while a move in the other direction signals drive. To engage 'park,' a button marked 'P' on the 'T' top needs a push.
Third-row 50/50-split seatbacks easily power down (individually or together) onto seat cushions with the push of left-side cargo area illuminated buttons. All three trims include an adjustable height power lift gate. A foot-swipe hands free option is available in Premium Plus.
Sparse leg room in the two-seat third row creates suitability primarily for pre-teens. Sizable rear side doors help egress and ingress, but second-row seat maneuverability could use an assist from Saturday Night Live's Euro-hunks Hans and Franz. Seatbacks (35/30/35 split) manually fold onto cushions with the aid of outboard side levers. Then these rather bulky seat-combos tumble forward with an ergonomically unfriendly handle flush-mounted in the seatback's backside.
At a glance
Price as tested: $74,825
Engine: 3.0-liter V-6 Supercharged
Horsepower: 333
Wheelbase: 117.9 inches
Overall length: 199.6 inches
Overall height: 68.5 inches
Overall width: 77.5 inches
Fuel economy: 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway
Assembly: Bratislava, Slovakia
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