Less is (a lot) more

The new Audi Q7 is light years ahead of the model it replaces, as Paul Acres discovers

Audi’s latest Q7, despite being smaller, and a not inconsequential 325kg lighter, than the model it replaces is an imposing beast.

The huge grille dominates the front end while the headlamps, which are more typically understated in the design, are accentuated with cleverly styled running lights.

The rear lights mirror the shape of those at the front, while the profile is reassuringly familiar.

Inside is understated luxury done properly. The brushed metal highlights, leather seats and steering wheel and suedette door linings combine in subtle ways to create an environment that just begs to be touched.

Controls are kept to a minimum and, those that do exist, are beautifully placed to make them both easy to find and easy to operate.

The 8.3in screen rises out of the top of the dashboard when you start the engine. To interact with it Audi have provided a clickable trackpad positioned just in front of the gear selector.

The cabin’s real piece de resistance – at least from the driver’s perspective – is the superb virtual cockpit. It replaces the usual dials and gauges with a full-width 12.3in TFT display and it is gorgeous.

The leather seats (heated of course) are soft, sumptuous and supportive. They, and the steering wheel, have plenty of adjustment so finding the perfect driving position should be easy.

Middle-row passengers are particularly spoiled with plenty of room for even the tallest people.

They also slide fore and aft individually.

There’s a third row of seats that are easily deployed thanks to the assistance of electric motors. As with most occasional seats they are really best left to the children, or the adventurous.

Start the engine and you’ll notice that you can’t actually tell that you’ve started the engine.

The 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel fitted to my test car really is as quiet as the proverbial mouse.

Pull away, effortlessly, and little changes

It’s only when you need to press on that the noise levels rise, and even then barely beyond a whisper.

Refinement proves remarkable, whatever speed you’re travelling at and whatever the state of the road beneath your wheels.

There’s a choice of power outputs – either 215 or 268bhp – but even the least powerful unit, which was fitted to my test car, proved more than adequate to haul the two-tonne SUV around with little fuss.

There’s 368lb/ft of torque available from just 1,500rpm to drag the Q7 to 62mph in just 7.3 seconds but it’s the spread of all that grunt that makes it such a unbridled delight on long hauls.

It’s ably assisted, of course, by the incredibly slick, intelligent and seamless eight-speed automatic box.

Audi’s Drive Select is present and correct which allows you to choose from four different modes:

Unfortunately the steering, although linear and precise, does lack some feel.

The Q7 might not be the most rewarding drive but the majority of people are likely to be more concerned about comfort, practicality and efficiency and the Q7 certainly ticks those boxes.