With the Q7 tipping the scales well on the wrong side of two tonnes, Audi is doing every thing it can to wring every last drop out of the vehicle. As such the Q7 now features a recuperation system that recovers energy during braking and uses it to charge the battery. For the most part the technology happens without the knowledge of the passengers.
The Q7 is aimed at the US market where big is great and huge is better. As a result the vehicle is limousine-like in its space and creature comforts. The luxury SUV market is being fought out primarily by the German marques: BMW X5, Audi, Mercedes ML, VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. Also lurking in the segment is Lexus RX350. Audi were a late comer to this segment with the Q7 launched in late 2006. It shares a platform with VW’s Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne.
Audi has four entrants in the field with our test vehicle, the 3.0 TDi quattro the entry level model which will set you back $88,614, before on roads. For the more adventurous, and well-heeled there’s the $93,814 petrol 3.0 TFSI quattro, $127,814 4.2 TDi diesel quattro and the daddy of `em all, the V12 TDi quattro at $254,814.
BODY STYLE

In a word big. Our test car came with the optional third row of seats so we had the option of two, three, four, five, six and seven seats. You would never call the slab-sided Q7 pretty. You would, however, call it pretty clever. For this upgrade Audi elected to leave the shape alone and upgrade the mechanicals.
POWERTRAIN

Our review Q7 came with the second-generation all-new turbo-charged V6 3.0 TDi. With 176 kW of power and 550 Nm or torque it is a significant power-plant. It needs to be to haul the pure bulk of the Q7 around town. Maximum torque is on tap between 2000 rpm - 2250 rpm and the big SUV hits 100 km/h in a respectable 7.9 seconds. Audi claim economy of 7.8 litres/100 km, which is 19 per cent less than the outgoing 3.0 litre TDi. New to the Q7 is the stop/start technology. Compared to other vehicles with similar systems we found it agricultural with the mechanical process felt through the vehicle as it did it’s stop/start gig. When stopping it feels more like the engine stalling. We also found the combination of diesel engine/stop-start and 8-speed transmission pushing the envelope when it comes to smoothness. If you come to a halt and the engine stops and you need to immediately get going there’s a hesitation while the system gears up. The engine automatically re-starts when you take your foot off the brake, but getting the big rig rolling involves some hesitation. The new eight-speed tiptronic transmission is standard on all six and eight cylinder Q7 models. Drivers can choose from D and S modes or take control using the tiptronic function either by flicking the shifter or using optional paddles on the steering wheel. Stop/start aside it's a seamless ride through the eight cogs.

SAFETY

Just the sheer bulk of the Q7 gives you a secure feeling. Add to that eight airbags,  stability/traction control, ABS brakes with brake assist, parking sensors and reversing camera and the Q7 should meet just about every family’s safety requirements.


INTERIOR DESIGN/FUNCTIONALITY

When a vehicle is five metres long the designers have a lot to play with. In five seat configuration passenger comfort and space is extensive. Leg room is simply not an issue. There’s also a large cargo area. Deploy the third row of seats and things change. It’s a bit tricky to get into and out of the rear pew, the cargo space is diminished to that of a Mini but you do have room for five adults and two ankle biters. Being designed for the US market the Q7 has some quirky traits, which we are not fussed about. The key to start the vehicle inserts on the left side of the steering wheel, high on the dash and even after a week we were still (old habits die hard) trying to insert the key into an imaginary hole in the steering column. Also the hand brake is a foot brake with the release by hand under the dash ala Mercedes. This should really be a push button affair in the console. Other than those items we really enjoyed the overall ergonomics of the Q7. There’s oodles of storage space, cup and drink holders, power outlets all over the place, super comfortable seats, height and reach steering wheel adjustment, remote controls on the steering wheel, Bluetooth, sat/nav - all that you would expect in a luxury SUV.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS


Q7 3.0 TFSI quattro: $93,814 (eight-speed tiptronic)
Q7 4.2 TDI quattro: $127,814 (eight-speed tiptronic)
Q7 V12 TDI quattro: $254,814 (six-speed tiptronic)