What's the difference?
You never want to be left behind by the competition, especially in the automotive world, where things change at a breakneck pace. Case in point: The Audi Q7.
If Audi is well-known for its subtle mid-life facelifts that make you question the difference between new and old, then the second-generation Q7 is the exception to the rule.
Make no mistake, the large SUV has been given a major facelift – one that it needed to keep up with its new-generation rivals.
So, has it been worth the extra effort? We put the updated Q7's volume-selling 50 TDI variant to the test to find out.
Can you believe it’s been nearly two and a half years since the fourth-generation BMW X5 went on sale? Buyers clearly have short memories, though, because the first X model BMW ever unleashed on the world is still the best-seller in its large SUV segment.
Try as the Mercedes-Benz GLE, Volvo XC90 and Lexus RX might, but the X5 simply cannot be dethroned.
So, what’s all the fuss about? Well, there’s no better way to find out than to take a detailed look at the X5’s volume-selling xDrive30d variant. Read on.
The Q7 was at risk of irrelevancy due to the unfortunate timing of its rivals' life cycles, but Audi made sure that wasn't going to be the case.
As far as mid-life facelifts go, Audi has knocked it out of the park with the Q7, so much so that the case can be made it's now the class leader.
In many ways this Q7 feels like an all-new model, which is quite something. More importantly, the positives well and truly outweigh the negatives.
There is no doubt that BMW seriously stepped up its game with the fourth-generation X5, raising its levels of luxury and technology, all the way to that of the flagship 7 Series.
The X5’s mix of imposing looks and relatively well sorted dynamics is complemented by the xDrive30d’s brilliant engine and transmission.
It’s no surprise, then, that the X5 continues to be its best in xDrive30d form. There really is no need to consider any other variant.