One of my complaints about Audis is that most of them look alike. That‘s not a problem with the Q7. Size and shape aren‘t the only things that differentiate the Q7 from Audi‘s cars. There are changes in the details -- the sculpting of the front and rear ends, the artful integration of body seams and creases into the Q7‘s design -- that give it a unique character. It‘s a trend I hope Audi will continue as their cars come up for redesign.
Many of the secondary controls - stereo, navigation, climate control, etc. - are controlled in part or whole by Audi‘s Multimedia Interface (MMI), which uses a large dial surrounded by an entourage of buttons and a screen on the center console. The MMI is nice once you get used to it, but there‘s a steep learning curve. And some of it just doesn‘t make sense -- most of the controls use that big center dial, but fan speed and seat heat use the climate control‘s temperature dials. Huh? It‘s one thing if you have a passenger to fiddle with it all, but a lone driver trying to figure out MMI at 70 MPH is an accident waiting to happen.
The Q7 has three rows of seats; any two can be occupied comfortably at once. The second-row seats are adjustable, but sliding them back far enough for decent footroom squashes the toes of the people in the 3rd row. Want room in both the 2nd and 3rd rows? Fine, provided the front driver and passenger don‘t mind kissing the dashboard.
Side Assist is part of a $2,400 Technology Package that includes a rear view camera that displays on the MMI screen. An overlay of lines shows the path the Q7 will take as you turn the steering wheel. It‘s so idiot-proof that even a parking-challenged driver like yours truly can easily dock this land yacht on the first try.
The Q7 4.2 I drove was powered by a 350 hp V8 engine. A 6-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive are standard. Audi claims a 0-60 time of 7 seconds, though at nearly 5,500 lbs the Q7 doesn‘t feel that quick. Its Electronic Stabilization Program is designed to optimize both on- and off-road performance. Ground clearance is 8.1"; with the optional air spring suspension it can be raised to 9.4".
Will it sell? That remains to be seen. Compared to other full-size SUVs, the Audi Q7 is a dreamboat. It‘s got wonderful on-road manners and solid off-road abilities. Its styling sets it apart from most other SUVs, and the complexity of its controls shouldn‘t be too much of a problem once owners learn their way around the MMI. The Q7‘s Achilles heel is its lack of room in the 2nd and 3rd row seats. Better to fold the 3rd row seat, slide the 2nd row seats all the way back and enjoy the Q7 as a roomy 5-seater with ample cargo space.
The question is, in the face of rising gas prices, is the American market ready for a $50-60k SUV with fuel economy in the mid-teens? With the potential for fuel bills that are half the monthly payment on a Toyota Highlander Hybrid, even well-heeled buyers might think twice before buying the Q7.
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