Plenty of surprises
Prestigious Audi Q7 is all- new for 2017
Ienjoy surprises, and the all- new 2017 Audi Q7 offers many. The luxury- level SUV holds seven, but the svelte exterior package it rides on belies its interior roominess.
TheQ7 weighs nearly 5,000 pounds; however, its new lightweight chassis, supercharged engine and highly regarded quattro all- wheel drive give it the agility of a smaller sport SUV. And, despite the striking revisions to its exterior and interior and its having the latest in high- tech infotainment, connectivity and updated safety systems, the newmodel is competitively priced.
TheQ7 is available in three trim levels: Premium, starting at $ 54,000; Premium Plus, starting at $ 58,000; and Prestige, starting at $ 64,300 ( not including $ 950 in destination charges). TheQ7 competes with the BMWX5, Mercedes- Benz GLE, Volvo XC90, Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg.
A sculpted body and a newdesign give the Q7 a taut, leaner appearance, while horizontal lines make it look wider. The sport- ute is 475 pounds lighter than the outgoing model, thanks to the use of new lightweight materials in the body and chassis. Highlights start with a newsingle- framegrille, xenon headlights and LED taillights ( or available full LED front and rear lighting) and a standard large, two- panel panoramic sunroof. A newpower hands- free tailgate with programmable opening height adjustment is standard on Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels.
The interior was designed to make riders feel like they are in the open air. You’ll find more comfort as well as increased interior space with more head, leg and shoulder room in the second and third rows; standard power 50/ 50 split- folding third- row seats with electric fold and return functions; and standard three- zone ( and optional four- zone) automatic climate controls. A luxury package brings fine leather and seats with heat, ventilation and massage.
From behind the three-spokemulti function steering wheel and wraparound double- inlay dashboard, you can also enjoy a 7- inch TFT color information display and 7- inch color center infotainment display, and Audi’s MMI“all-in- touch” multimedia connectivity system.
Under the hood is a 333- horsepower, 3.0- liter V- 6 engine that gets 325 pound- feet of torque; it’s mated to an eight- speed Tiptronic transmission with Audi’s quattro permanent all- wheel- drive system for increased maneuverability at low speeds and more precise steering at higher speeds. Audi says this supercharged engine can accelerate theQ7 from zero to 60mph in as little as 5.7 seconds. Equipped with the tow package, the Q7 can tow up to 7,700 pounds.
We drove the Prestige- trimmed Q7 in the upscale wine country and winding coastal roads of northern California. The tester was outfitted with attractive 21- inch wheels and the dynamic air suspension, which is a must- have for enthusiasts and buyers seeking a more compliant ride.
Impressive were the precise steering, good brakes and the responsive throttle and transmission, especially when driven with paddles or sport shifting.
Audi sets the bar high with its technology and driver assistance systems that include standard Audi pre sense city, which detects cornering and stationary vehicles and pedestrians at speeds up to 52 mph and initiates full braking when a potential collision is detected.