The luxury SUV trend is hotter than ever: just ask Bentley and Jaguar, which are introducing SUVs for the first time during the 2017 model year. Audi, however, has been in the luxury SUV game for quite a while now, and has used that experience to refine its three-row Q7.
Overall, the interior is a nice mix of function and luxury. Leather-wrapped heated and ventilated front seats (with optional massage), heated rear seats, and an available heated steering wheel ensure comfort regardless of outside temperature. Heads-up display of your speed and warning signals on the windshield are a nice feature that can help prevent speeding tickets and pedestrian accidents. The screen display rises from the top of the dash but looks almost like an afterthought. Instead of using a touchscreen, Audi chose to control it with a remote knob between the front seats that requires navigation between screens to move from one function to the next. You’ll have to spend a few minutes with the owner’s manual to master all the options.
The Q7 offers three rows of seats accommodating a total of seven passengers. Leather, wood and Alcantara trim throughout provide luxury and sophistication. Second row room is good, with adequate leg room, but the third row is probably best for the younger set. With the third row up, there’s only a small amount of cargo room beneath the electrically operated rear hatch, but when you fold the rear seats, cargo room expands greatly. A two-panel panoramic sunroof with sunshade gives the Q7 a bright, open feeling.
The thick leather steering wheel is the first component of a sporty driving feel. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel allow you to shift manually without a third pedal. Power from the turbocharged V-6 engine is plentiful to move this large SUV with alacrity. Handling also is good for an SUV, making the Q7 a nice driving vehicle, although the power steering is overboosted. Despite dropping 500 pounds from the previous version, the Q7 still feels like a solid, well-built vehicle. Numerous nanny and convenience features help make it an easy and safe vehicle to drive, including vehicle exit assist, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot alert, collision avoidance assist, and a feature called ‘pre sense city’ that detects other vehicles and pedestrians, warning the driver of a possible collision and even initiating emergency braking if necessary, up to 52 mph. Parking is made easy with front and rear sensors, in addition to a back-up camera.
According to Plaza Audi sales manager Jay Poplawski, “The virtual cockpit is great. It gives you the ability to put the navigation screen right in front of you between the gauges. The Q7 offers German engineering and sleek styling, plus the ability to carry seven passengers.”
technicals >> Audi Q7
Model Q7 3.0T, Premium with cold weather, luxury and prestige packages
Price:
▶Base: $56,000, including delivery
▶Driven with options: $73,600
Gas mileage:
▶19 city
▶25 highway
Drivetrain:
▶Front engine; all-wheel drive
▶3.0 litre turbo V-6 engine,
▶333 horsepower;
▶8-speed tiptronic automatic transmission
Robert Paster (robertpaster.com) is also an attorney in private practice, concentrating in estate planning and probate.
