Crossover shoppers seeking the very best, hear up: Shortlist the Audi Q7. Its nearly good balance of luxury, refinement, driving enthusiasm, and excessive-tech options make it a no-brainer for those lucky enough to have the budget for such a vehicle. We had been fortunate sufficient to have a 2017 Q7 3.0T Prestige in our lengthy-term fleet, and we discovered little or no to complain about. Two engines are available梐n environment friendly turbocharged four-cylinder and a zesty supercharged V-6梐nd both come customary with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Low-velocity automated emergency braking is customary, but these looking for extra superior driver-assistance options will discover what they're looking for in the midrange Premium Plus and prime-spec Prestige trims. What's New for 2019? A reshuffling of features marks the 2019 mannequin 12 months for the Q7. All models now include navigation, whereas mid-vary Premium Plus trims now offer Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster, a 360-diploma exterior digicam system, LED head- and taillights, and a wireless smartphone charging pad as commonplace. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-visitors alert at the moment are a part of the Convenience package on all Q7 models.
The non-obligatory 20-inch wheels now include all-season run-flat tires and two new 21-inch wheel designs at the moment are out there. The 2020 Audi Q7 will deliver refreshed styling along with several newly added options. The Q7 is at its finest with the supercharged V-6 and the adaptive air suspension, and we might suggest the Prestige trim with the Adaptive Chassis bundle. Likes: Quick acceleration from supercharged V-6, respectable gasoline economic system, agile handling. Dislikes: Four-cylinder is not way more environment friendly than V-6, air suspension brings the fun however is not normal. Properly geared up, the Q7 is one of the quickest and most succesful SUVs in its class, yet with no shortage of powertrain refinement. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed computerized are standard but buyers can select from a turbocharged 4-cylinder or a supercharged V-6. In our testing, the V-6 proved to be quite fleet, registering a 5.5-second zero-to-60-mph time; the four-cylinder isn't any slouch, though, and managed a 7.0-second time in the identical test. The Q7 with the 4-cylinder can tow 4400 pounds; with the V-6, it may tow 7700 pounds. Despite its bulk, the Q7, when fitted with the elective performance tires on 21-inch wheels, feels low and lithe, like a pumped-up sport wagon.
The adjustability of the non-compulsory air suspension, paired with the added agility from 4-wheel steering, makes the Q7 surprisingly fun to flog down a twisty back highway. The Q7's gas economy is decent, considering its dimension. It's not nice, however, and that's partly because its engines are tasked with motivating its considerable weight. Likes: Modern inside design, slick infotainment features, easy-to-fold third row of seats. Dislikes: Fussy second-row folding-seat mechanism, not much space for cargo behind third row. With its minimalist, contemporary design matched with a great deal of know-how and wonderful comfort and construct quality, the Q7's cabin is a particular place. Beautiful supplies and design highlight the Q7's interior, as do the intelligent structure of its controls and the comfortable seats that characteristic each ample assist and adjustability. Entry-stage Premium variations come properly outfitted with amenities, and the quantity of upscale options can get supremely luxurious in the higher trim levels. You'll need to spring for at the least the mid-degree Premium Plus trim, though, to get the Q7's signature gee-whiz tech: the configurable 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster, which basically brings a secondary infotainment screen straight into the driver's sightline.
The Q7 has commonplace 7.0-inch show screens in the cluster and atop the sprint, with the latter rising to an 8.3-incher within the upper trims. Additional trick features梚ncluding 4G LTE connectivity with Google Maps梐lso are available, though the usual package is respectable and there are an enough number of USB and 12-volt outlets. Audiophiles can revel in several audio choices, topped by a Bang & Olufsen system with 23 speakers and 1920 watts of juice. Like most three-row SUVs, there isn't a ton of cargo space within the Audi's cargo area when all of its seats are in use. Nevertheless it has available house comparable with its key rivals, and the rearmost row might be quickly raised or lowered via power controls, which makes up for the somewhat clumsy operation of the center row. With all seats stowed, the Q7 had room for 25 of our carry-on suitcases. As a family hauler, the Q7 is a very safe selection in your most valuable cargo, receiving 5 stars for its crashworthiness from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Q7 missed out on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick honor for headlamps that scored solely Marginal, but it aced the rest of that agency's assessments. The Q7 carries stable guarantee protection comparable with its friends, although the Acura MDX and the Lexus GX each provide barely better powertrain phrases. Its complimentary scheduled maintenance plan梠ne yr or 5000 miles梚s the lone area the place it falls behind the coverage of its key competitor, the XC90.
