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Audi’s Luxury Q7 SUV still a firm favourite

David Berthon

I’ve just driven Audi’s recently updated Q7 seven-seat SUV , always a firm favourite. The entry Q7 45 TDI at $103,300 the most affordable in the range – having said that it wants for nothing apart from a few minor items – as a long distance family cruiser it makes driving just so effortless. A 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel with 145 kW of power, more importantly 500Nm of torque, constant all-wheel-drive and an eight-speed automatic. The updated Audi Q7 gets some mild 48V hybrid technology, it doesn’t contribute a lot to economy and performance but this is a big heavy SUV and in mostly city driving I still managed 9.2 litres/100km.

In some ways the engine lacks some overall polish and can sound a wee bit agricultural at idle and under load but it does offer strong performance. As an open road cruiser it excels and makes long distance driving a breeze. Importantly it offers more room to similar priced BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE models, exemplified in the third-row seats – the rear seats able to be power operated from the rear load space – fold them down and boot space grows from 295 to a very usable 740 litres. Ride quality from the standard air suspension supple providing a real quality to the Audi Q7’s overall feel. Interior comfort and packaging the high points of this large luxury SUV.

I’m David Berthon

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David Berthon
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