1000km Road Test - Audi Q7

Audi's new Q7 is first of a new wave of big, luxury seven seaters to hit the Australian market. While most of us are downsizing our cars, Audi obviously believes well heeled 4WD buyers are keen to do the opposite.

Value for money

Pricing

The 3.6 V6 petrol model costs $84,900, the 3.0 V6 TDi is $85,700 and the 4.2 V8 FSI is $116,800.

Warranty

Three years/unlimited kilometres.

Standard equipment

Five seats, eight airbags, rear parking assistance with camera, Data Dot security, a full size spare, in dash CD stacker/11 speaker audio, cruise control, dual zone automatic air, trip computer and leather upholstery.

The 4.2 V8 adds a power tailgate, air suspension, a tow hitch, xenon headlights, DVD navigation, shift paddles on the wheel and Bluetooth connectivity.

Options: Six seat layout $3250; seven seats $1700; adaptive air suspension V6 models $5750; sunroof $4400; Bose sound $1700; TV $2550; four zone air $1550; 20 inch alloys $5400/$4400; adaptive cruise control $4200; Sports seats $6200/$4200; lane change assistance $1400; metallic paint $2000.

Retained value

The Q7 is a new model, with no history, so resales have not yet been determined.

Design and function

Ergonomics

There's plenty of travel for the driver's seat, and reach/height adjustment for the wheel, so any sized driver can get comfortable.

White on black instruments are clear and easy to read. Audi's cursor/screen based system for controlling air, navigation, audio and air suspension settings is easier to use than most. Large air vents, wide side mirrors, plenty of oddment storage near the driver and front/side window sun visors make the driving task easier; on the demerit side, all the buttons on the centre console are the same colour, and some of the airconditioning buttons are obstructed by the gear lever.

Vision is fine around the car, though it is more than five metres long so parking it - when you find a space big enough - can be a chore; the standard rear camera is essential for safe manoeuvring when kids are about.

Innovation

The Q7's body is of unitary construction. Both petrol engines use direct injection, which improves performance and maximises fuel efficiency.

The six speed sequential automatic puts power to the ground via Audi's Quattro high range all wheel drive system, which uses a 40/60 front rear torque split (up to 65 front or 85 rear), via a self locking centre differential.

Independent double wishbones (in aluminium) are at both ends with, on the standard suspension, 205mm of ground clearance.

Adaptive air suspension can be set to automatic, comfort or dynamic. Clearance ranges from 165 mm (at 120km/h or above) to 240mm in off-road mode.

The stability control system has an off-road mode, which allows some wheel spin and does not cut engine torque.

Adaptive cruise control, which automatically keeps a safe distance from the car in front, is optional, as is tyre pressure monitoring.

Safety

The Q7 has not yet been tested by NCAP but it would be very surprising if it did not score the maximum five stars.

Security

Not yet rated by NRMA Insurance, but Audi regularly tops the security ratings so the Q7 should do well.

Comfort

The standard driver's seat is shaped and padded for big, generously padded Germans (And Americans. And Australians.) so it's quite comfortable, but those less portly may find inadequate side support when cornering.

Space and practicality

The six seat option sees the standard five seater's 40/20/40 bench replaced by two individual chairs as the middle row; in both six and seven seat options (which retains the 40/20/40 middle row bench) two individual back seats fold flat into the floor, necessitating the removal of the full size spare.

Middle seat leg room is generous, but the centre position is considerably less comfortable than the two outboard ones. The seat is shaped for two, so the five seater tag, in reality, applies only to the number of belts provided.

The two back seats are easy to raise and lower - the head restraints can stay in place - and tolerable for average sized adults on short trips. On one car the middle row required a serious heave to shift fore or aft on its track to gain access.

Child restraint anchors are located on all seat backs.

The single piece tailgate is hinged at the roof. In seven seat mode, you still have more than half a metre of floor to fill. In five seat standard mode, there's ample floor space and load area, though the angled back window cuts into volume and the floor is quite high.

With the middle row also folded (or any individual 40:20:40 section) you have more than two metres of floor length. The load area also features two rails, with an adjustable telescopic rod and strap for bracing and restraining large objects, plus a load cover and partition net.

Build and finish quality

Excellent, but like its sister brand VW Audi's performance is patchy in independent quality surveys in the US. That said, the Q7 is a tight, solid wagon, none of the vehicles on the 1200 km Broken Hill-Birdsville test drive had any problems - apart from a couple of flat tyres - and over some rugged, rocky tracks the interiors stayed squeak and rattle free. Dust sealing was outstanding.

On the road

Fuel efficiency

The vast majority of large 4WD sales are now diesels, for reasons immediately apparent when you compare fuel consumption figures, especially in town.

Expect the 3.0TDi to use around 13-15 litres/100 km in town and 8-9 litres/100 km on the highway, and the 4.2 V8 to guzzle 18-21 litres/100 km/10-11 litres/100km respectively. The petrol engines require 95 octane premium.

Performance

The 3.6 V6 produces 206kW of power at 6200rpm and 360Nm of torque at 2500-5000rpm.

The 4.2 V8 produces 257kW at 6800rpm and 440Nm at 3500rpm.

The 3.0V6 TDi produces 171kW at 4000rpm and 500Nm at 1750-2750rpm.

Unless sheer straight line speed is your number one priority - in which case you're looking in the wrong class altogether - the 3.0 turbo diesel is the best bet. It actually pulls more strongly off the bottom than the V8, is smooth and quiet, and has ample performance.

The V8 version is faster, but its advantage lies at the top end, where it makes a great sound and shifts the Q7 very quickly indeed. However you pay a big price in terms of fuel consumption.

The six speed automatic works unobtrusively most of the time. Shifts are quick and smooth, whether in Drive or manually, using the lever or optional wheel paddles. Sport mode holds each gear longer and shifts slightly faster.

Ride

The ride on the standard suspension is excellent. On air suspension, the Comfort setting means what it says and on smoother roads, or around town, the ride is supple and luxurious. However on bumps and undulations at highway speeds the body moves around more, so you feel like you're in a boat at times.

On the automatic setting, you get compliance and comfort in most conditions. Dynamic lets you feel more of the road surface, but the ride is never harsh.

Handling and steering

The 2.3 tonne Q7 feels bulky and slightly top heavy, especially when pushed, but this is a common trait of the class.

BMW's X5 is still the best handler in the luxury SUV field, closely followed by the Lexus RX350 and Ford's Territory turbo.

The conventionally suspended Q7 delivers safe, secure handling though on bumps and undulations the body moves around a bit, and there's plenty of understeer in tighter bends.

The air suspension, when set to comfort, produces unwieldy dynamics, with excessive bounce, roll and float at highway speeds. Switched to automatic or sport, it works well, with disciplined body control and, on sport, a noticeable improvement in composure, assisted by the air suspension's Dynamic mode lowering the ride height of the vehicle.

In all situations grip is excellent. Eighteen inch alloy wheels are shod with 235/60 tyres; 255/55 tyres are fitted to the V8.

The steering is light and not too direct. Assistance is reduced as speeds rise.

Braking

The brakes are strong, tactile and progressive. Six piston front callipers provide serious stopping power.

Smoothness and quietness

No problems here. The diesel is very smooth and quiet, indistinguishable from the petrol engines at cruising speed. The V8 is impeccably refined. Road noise and wind noise are minimal.

Summary

The Q7 is well priced, especially the diesel, which is easily the pick of the line-up. It's a highly sophisticated, refined, versatile, competent SUV, albeit one with the usual dynamic limitations - at high and low speeds - of these tall, heavy vehicles.

Test by Bill McKinnon, May 2005.  

The writer of this report does not necessarily represent the views of the NRMA and this report is provided for you as an alternative to our own NRMA car reviews.

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