Audi Q7 review

If there’s anything out there that’s better built than the Audi Q7, it probably has a large gate with ‘Blenheim Palace’ emblazoned on it. That’s because the Audi Q7 is one of the best-built cars anywhere.

Audi has long been a master of the interior art - the Q7 represents its best effort yet. Everything flows from one panel into the next, and the amount of standard technology is, well, wow.

As you’d expect, everything you sit on and touch feels beautiful and the bits you move, such as the seats and column stalks, feel exceptionally well-engineered.

Even the door pulls feel luxurious, and the smooth way that the powered tailgate lifts and lowers itself just oozes class.

Getting comfortable is easy, too, using the electrically operated driver’s seat, which can move in a multitude of directions.

Tech and features

Ahead of the driver sits Audi’s Virtual Cockpit display, which displays absolutely every piece of information you could need - from driving info to a sat-nav map.

Early examples had a large infotainment screen that rises from the top of the dashboard and is controlled by some buttons and a touchpad down by the gear selector.

In later cars, this screen became larger and turned into a touchscreen below the vents.

The climate control system is operated using dials in early cars, and a separate touchscreen in later versions. A large centre console by your left thigh houses the gear selector and a few decent-sized cubbies.

Engines and power

The more powerful 3.0-litre diesel engine is a perfect companion for the Q7 as, like a good espresso is exceptionally strong and smooth. It makes even towing simple.

If you can’t stomach the thought of a diesel, the 55 TFSI petrol engine is a punchy engine that loves to be revved.

Handling and ride comfort

Early cars had conventional suspension, and while very comfortable, can get caught out by the odd sharp bump.

Later cars have air suspension as standard, and are supremely comfortable for wafting around in.

The steering is sharp, and the Q7 handles better than any large SUV has a right to.

Just bear in mind it’ll feel every inch of its size when you try to park it in a multi-storey car park or do a U-turn in a busy street.

Anyone who needs more space than an Audi Q7 can offer is, frankly, being a bit greedy.

There is an enormous amount of space up front for even the tallest of lankies to get comfortable, and there’s enough adjustment for you to be comfortable even if you’re a bit shorter of stature.

Rear seats

Better still, three adults behind two tall adults will feel completely happy with life, and the couple who end up in the rearmost seats will be relatively comfortable - as long as the journey isn’t too long.

Kids, however, will be completely happy back there.

Boot space

The good news is that the Audi has usable luggage space even when all seats are in use, and when you fold down all the seats there’s enough space that you’d feel justified in putting a ‘Transit’ badge on the back end.

Fuel economy

Let’s get one thing straight – you don’t buy a seven-seat SUV with fuel economy in mind.

Having said that, the Audi Q7 isn’t bad, because the higher-powered diesel engine can manage an average of up to 48.7mpg.

The 55 TFSI petrol will manage an official 26.9mpg - you’re unlikely to get close to that if you load the car up or put your foot down.

Insurance groups

Insurance is undeniably towards the top end of the scale, starting at group 35 and ending at group 50. However, the Q7 is safe, with a full-on five-star crash rating from the experts at Euro NCAP.