2025 Audi Q7 Reviews

These luxury seven-seat SUVs have been a long time coming. Now, which one is superior? Joshua Dowling adjudicates.

Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the Audi Q7 with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the 2015 Audi Q7 SUV with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

John Carey road tests and reviews the 2015 Audi Q7 at its international launch.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2015 Audi Q7 at its international launch in Switzerland.

If driving a Range Rover or LandCruiser briskly through the bends is akin to pedalling a block of flats, then this is like steering a housing estate.

The Audi Q7 is getting on a bit now but it still remains fairly popular on account of its desirable badge and the fact it can seat seven people.

It's a topic of debate -- some would argue the Range Rover kicked off the prestige SUV craze 40 years ago.Others say SUVs aren't serious off-roaders and the modern category was established by ze Germans. It is the latter crowd that -- regardless of the origins of the species -- have come to dominate this prestige SUV segment.Be it an upper-crust shopping centre carpark or the leafy confines of a private school's grounds, you are guaranteed of spotting three particular vehicles -- the BMW X5, Audi's Q7 and examples of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.The brand that has built its image on sheer driving pleasure and derivations therein has the X5 on its books, the benchmark in the class for on-road dynamics and some epic powerplants.The X5 sits behind only the 3 Series as BMW's top seller and is the best of its SUVs, fitted with six and eight cylinder petrol engines and six-cylinder turbo diesels.For those not concerned with fuel economy, the petrol V8s provide much in the way of propulsion and aural amusement but the oilers are the gems. The X5 has badge cred, car-like dynamics and family wagon versatility -- even a third-row option but space isn't abundant.Audi's Q7 has been outshone to some extent by the introduction of the smaller Q5, but the big Ingolstadt wagon has space aplenty. Among its petrol and turbo diesel engines, the 3.0-litre V6 oiler is the value pick. Not as nimble or car-like as the BMW, the Audi has a more useable third row of seats but lacks low-range.The M-Class is best off the beaten track, with an optional off-road package for the more serious adventurer. It has V6 petrol and turbo diesel, and V8 options including the super-quick ML63. As with the Audi, the V6 diesel is the best all-rounder.Last year the sales of large SUVs over $70,000 topped 17,000 , up 11 per cent. This year the segment is up more than 30 per cent with all three brands' SUVs selling strongly.Getting into one of these late-model beasts is relatively not expensive. Thanks to finance defaults, leased vehicles moving on and even trophy wives wanting something new, the "pre-owned'' market has no shortage of them, some with new car warranty remaining.Top TipsAs with all used cars, signs of poorly repaired accident damage (inconsistent welds, paint and panel fit) as well as signs of water intrusion (given recent flood events and submerged new car stocks) can point to rusty consequences.Diesel powerplants are generally more frugal when towing or on the open road but the fuel economy is offset by higher purchase price, service costs and the price of diesel. Do the numbers based on your driving habits (using urban and extra-urban fuel economy figures, not the combined-cycle number) and pick the appropriate machine.If you are hauling polo ponies, dressage nags, a boat or a van, check the towing capacity details, as some 4WDs make big boasts but fall over in real-world applications.2006 BMW X5 4.4Engine: 4.4-litre V8 petrolTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 14.8L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe slogan "there's nothing quite like a V8'' applies here -- while the X5 has worthy diesels, the 4.4-litre V8 on offer in the big Beemer has appeal and when used sensibly won't drink ridiculous amounts of pulp. Leather trim, the full gamut of electronic safety gear and a clever all-wheel drivetrain make the big wagon more nimble than many passenger wagons and more than a few sedans.2008 AUDI Q7 3.0 TDIEngine: 3.0-litre V6 Turbo DieselTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 10.5L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe V6 turbo diesel, one of the brand's better engines, deals well with the Audi's mass. Not as nimble as an X5 but far from a truck, the Q7 has a long features and safety equipment list plus leather trim. Tips the scales over two tonnes but can drag 3.5 tonnes when asked. There are bigger diesel and petrol engines but the 3.0-litre is a good all-rounder.2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 350 CDI WAGONEngine: 3-litre V6 turbo dieselTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 9.6L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSUS-built -- as is the X5, which pipped the Benz by 49 sales last year -- the ML progressed significantly from the original M-Class, maintaining a greater off-road ability while closing the gap to the X5 in on-road dynamics. The badge holds plenty of cachet. There is an off-road pack with diff locks, low range, height-adjustable suspension and under-body protection.  

Diesel has made enormous inroads into SUVs but there are still buyers who seek the relative silence and smoothness of a petrol engine, let alone the cleaner refuelling process at the servo, especially in a premium brand often used by soccer mums.Audi, for its big Q7 all-wheel-drive wagons, offers just one petrol engine in the four-model range. As you might expect from a modern German motor, it's a good 'un.The Q7 is well-credentialled as a large SUV that doesn't mind going on to the dirt; the three-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine makes a classy way of doing it.VALUECompared with their sedan, let alone coupe, cousins on the showroom floor, you get a lot of vehicle when buying big SUVs with premium brand badge, The Audi Q7 with this V6 petrol motor at $93,814 is second-cheapest in the Q7 range ($88,614 - $254,814). The A6 sedan with a matching V6 petrol engine, for example, is $114,500. The Q7 V6 petrol includes quattro AWD, eight-speed tiptronic transmission, climate control, leather interior, reversing camera, parking sensors, power front seats, 11-speaker sound system and downhill assist. TECHNOLOGYWe're concentrating on the engine here. It's a three-litre, direct-injection V6 with supercharger and intercooler of an almost V8-like 245kW power and 440Nm torque, able to accelerate a 2.3-tonne biggie 0-100km/h in 7sec yet rated at 10.7 litres/100km fuel use (we averaged 11.2). It makes a good marriage with the intelligent eight-speed tiptronic automatic. Two-stage ESP is clever, too. It has a lavish information and car set-up screen.DESIGNAt over 5m long and 198cm wide (plus mirrors), the Q7 has presence and lots of interior space. Two pop-up seats make a third row. But for a large luxury vehicle the middle spot of the regular second row of seats is firm and unwelcoming. A 100-litre tank will give good range for Aussie touring but it has a space-saver spare wheel.SAFETYEight airbags, brake assist, ABS, daytime, running lights and ESP with an off-road mode stack up well. ANCAP's only test of a Q7 was five years ago when it scored four stars.DRIVINGYou won't enjoy the size of this SUV in tight car parks but the interior space is welcome away from there. So much space that tyre noise rumbles slightly through the cavernous interior. Driver and passengers enjoy good room.The V6 supercharged petrol engine easily copes with the Q7's weight. But continual stop-start thick traffic motoring will ruin fuel economy. On the open road, fuel economy is tolerable, as it sits on 1950rpm at 110km/h.The eight-speed tiptronic shifts down automatically on no throttle - a help for engine braking and ready in the right gear to accelerate away.Off the bitumen it has 204mm ground clearance and a 21-degree approach angle but no low-range gearing although 55-profile tyres are more suitable on dirt than many on luxury SUVs. We liked the off-road mode for the ESP, allowing a certain amount of wheelspin; not intrusive yet helping the big thing to charge around corners on gravel as if on rails. The centre diff can direct up to 65 per cent power to the front wheels or up to 85 per cent to the rear. Ride is pleasant enough.Including a hills-country outing, we averaged 11.2 litres/100km but more thick traffic and it would have been worse.VERDICTIt's simple: if you like the Audi Q7 as your choice of big, premium SUV and you prefer petrol over diesel, then this V6 TFSI is the one, indeed the only one.AT A GLANCEAudi Q7 3.0 TFSI quattroPRICE: $93,814WARRANTY: Three years, unlimited kmRESALE: est. 59 per centSERVICE INTERVAL: 15,000km/12 monthsSAFETY: Four-star ANCAP (2006 test)ENGINE: 245kW/440Nm three-litre, dohc, 24-valve, supercharged V6 petrolFUEL: 10.7 litres/100km, on test 11.2. Petrol 95RONCO2 EMISSION: 249g/kmBODY: Five-door wagonDIMENSIONS: 5089mm (l), 1983mm (w), 1737mm (h), 3002 (wb) WEIGHT 2240kgTOWS: 3200kgTYRE SIZE: 255/55x18SPARE TYRE: Space saver

"Less is more," is not a maxim that's gained much traction in the United States, the primary market for German bigger luxury SUVs.  With the GFC hangover having worn off and the free market hyenas shamelessly snarling to let the market find its own level, its back to "you gotta say yes to another excess".Yet Audi has trimmed the fat from its Q7 range. Oh, it's as formidably 2.2 tonnes plus as ever, it's just that the atmo V6 and V8 petrol models have been shed for a more efficient unit.VALUEThe revised range lurches off the mark at $88,614 for the 3.0 TDI with a more powerful yet more frugal diesel; followed by the 3.0 TFSI at $93,814 (our subject today); the 4.2 TDI quattro at $127,814 and that embodiment of excess, the V12 TDI, at $254,814.The Q7 is built on the same underpinnings as Volkswagen's Touareg and Porsche's Cayenne and this model, the supercharged petrol V6, is priced closer to the latter. The value question is shaped by that engine - the other two make do with the still impressive but scarcely competitive naturally-aspirated 3.6 FSI for their six pot petrol option. The Audi's kills it.That said, the ticking of but a few option boxes sees the Q7's price soar past the $100k plus Porsche. And though Audi's made great strides in all directions, not least brand perception, it's the former's badge that's going to win the private school run stakes.TECHNOLOGYIt's a wonder the Q7 can spring forward at all, so bursting is it with technik. The new story here, however, is the drivetrain stuff.  With the exception of the Panzer powerful V12, the revised Q7s get eight-speed tiptronic transmissions, a slusher Audi says reduces fuel consumption by about five percent by keeping the engine's speed low and near its optimum operating point. In operation, its changes are barely perceptible and all but inaudible.Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive is best appreciated in Audi's quicker passenger cars, but makes its presence felt even in this 2.24 tonne behemoth, feeding 40 per cent of power going to the front and 60 percent to the rear wheels in default running. PhD clever and cat-like in its reactions, the mechanical-action centre differential will, in extremis, send up to 65 percent of go to the front or up to 85 percent to the rear.Despite a designation that suggests a turbo as per the rest of Audi's forced induction models, the 3.0 TFSI petrol V6 is a supercharged job that packs a V8 hassling 245kW and 440Nm to exploit.  Again, though best appreciated in the S4 sedan and S5/A7 Sportbacks, it's scarcely tardy in the Q7, getting it from standing to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds.DESIGNWell, it's a great big luxury SUV designed for great big luxury lovin' Yanks. In five seater mode, it's difficult to imagine anyone but them having credible complaints about passengers or storage space in the five metre bus.SAFETYGiven that the related VW and Porsche have five star ratings in European crash testing, the Q7's four is something of an anomaly. The revised version has not been tested and Audi confidently await the day.Hard to fault the active or passive packages though, with eight airbags, stability/traction control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, parking sensors and a reversing camera standard.DRIVINGA life-affirming, smile-inducing, addiction forming engine feels merely better than adequate here. Moreover it struggles, even at freeway cruising speeds, to realise its combined conditions fuel claim of 10.7l/100km returns fuel consumption.  That, of course, is to compare cheetahs with a fat cat. Yet buyers of the latter - not unreasonably expecting cushion comfort - won't find it here, at least not without the costly optional extra air suspension.Audi is at its worst when it sacrifices compliance for the pretence of "sportiness", which it any case fails to deliver. The Q7's unsettled low speed ride would be acceptable in a hot hatchback, but not a luxury barge. The former's return comes in the form of responsive and rewarding dynamics; the Q7 falls short here too.Sure, it's capable enough for its class, with abundant grip and adequately curtailed body roll, but those globulous dimensions are always apparent. Nor can it hope to compete dynamically with BMW's X5, not with steering that is -as is almost always the Ingolstadt way - devoid of feel and feedback.  Audi can't decide what its big SUV should be and, in its uncertainty, achieved neither.VERDICTBuy the dieselAUDI Q7 3.0TPrice: $93,814Engine: 3.0 supercharged V6 petrol; 245kW/440NmTransmission: 8-speed auto; AWDThirst: 10.71L/100km (claimed)