Built on a stretched VW Toureg platform, the seven-seat, four-wheel drive Q7 is truly large but behind the wheel it feels no bigger than any spacious estate. My test car features the smallest engine available: a 3-litre turbo diesel that is a gem. The 233bhp V6 diesel is no slouch with a 0-100km/h time of just over 9 seconds. The only other engine available is the slightly indulgent 4.2-litre, 350bhp V8 petrol unit; it's yours for €100,000 give or take a few quid. Apart from a gorgeous V8 growl the petrol engine can propel the Q7 from 0-100km/h in just 7.5 seconds. Both cars feature a six-speed 'tiptronic' gearbox as standard.
When I started my test drive I expected to have Greenpeace filling my mirrors but the Q7 rapidly proves itself to be a really good car despite its blatant bulk. My test car had air suspension and rode very well on the standard-fit 18" alloys.
Q7 has a very aggressive looking front end that looks great - in America! In little old Ireland the Q7 is a little OTT, much like the current Range Rover. Q7, however, does look incredibly strong and sturdy. This rugged look is achieved by having a high shoulder-line. The tailgate is a conventional one and be warned: you will have to hoof the shopping up quite high to gain access to the boot as the loading lip is relatively high. Apart from the unique front end, the Q7's exterior looks like an A6 'Allroad' that has been jacked up a bit.
Inside, the cabin is car-like and pure Audi. All the switchgear is logically positioned and there are no surprises, so quality black trim and red dash illumination remains the order of the day. Q7 as a high-end Audi features 'MMI' (Multi Media Interface), which is basically a grouping of buttons surrounding a large push dial that allows you to adjust a huge number of secondary controls that would otherwise take up a full dashboard! You will only need to learn this system once but it will take a few minutes to take in.
Seating is spacious up front and decent in the middle row of three, but access to the rear two seats is a little limited. The third row, as in all seven-seaters, is best left to kids or adults who have done a few stretches beforehand.
The four-wheel drive set up is fully automatic and, while off-road purists will be disappointed at the lack of a low-ratio gearbox, the capable Q7 will still go places where in reality it will never go!
My favourite party trick is the optional electronically operated retractable tow hitch – now that's posh! If you wish you can opt for a five-seat only version when ordering but you'd be foolish to do so as it would seriously affect the car's resale value.
Q7 is pitched at the higher end of the large seven-seat SUV market where up until recently the Volvo XC90 has ruled the roost. But with Audi Q7, Land Rover’s Discovery 3, Mercedes G Class and the new seven-seat X5 from BMW, there is healthy competition in what is a very expensive sector.
Michael Sheridan
