What's the opinion on the Audi Q7? Here's my take.

"AM3R shamefully returns " (am3rshamefullyreturns)
07/01/2015 at 23:33 • Filed to: Audi

Took my mom to look at a Q7 today, she loved driving it which was surprising because she tends to dislike anything bigger than her Odyssey. Here’s what I thought about it.

Exterior wise is typical Audi. Understated but nicely aggressive in the S-line trim with the big wheels. In the words of Rusto, it looks like a minivan. I kind of see what he’s getting at with the somewhat blobby shape. Again, the S-line kit makes up for it. The headlights look nice, I still think Audi is killing the DRL/LED game.

I enjoyed the interior. While the third row is a little bit of a squeeze, being able to adjust the second row makes it fairly usable. Lots of space with all the seats down too. I loved the panoramic roof. Really made the black interior lighten up and it gave a very roomy feeling. Sound system was good, I don’t know much about it so I won’t go into detail but comparing it to the Harmon Kardon system in my W204 it sounded good. Everything felt high quality and the leather was very supple. The dash was nice, not too busy and all buttons and switches felt good. What I didn’t like was how small the nav screen was. The Q7 isn’t exactly a small car, yet the nav screen was the same size (maybe a little less wide) than that in my E90. The particular vehicle we tested out was new.

I know this is said about many new cars, “they hide their weight and size so well blah blah blah”. When I first got the Q7 out of the parking lot it didn’t take long to get used to the size. I kept thinking I was veering into the left lane but whenever I checked my mirror I had more than enough room. Definitely feels smaller than it looks. After about a mile or two I was completely comfortable in it and had a good idea on my lane placement and everything. My mother felt the way, which is impressive considering how she really doesn’t like driving all that much. We both loved the back up camera and parking sensors.

This car had the 3.0 TFSI engine. I’d prefer a TDI but the $6k price difference new (and the lack of TDI at my dealer, apparently a popular choice) led us to test out a gas engine. It was very smooth. It started raining and there was traffic so I couldn’t get a sense for the performance. The transmission shifted smoothly and fairly quickly. The steering was pretty light but direct. Definitely no sports car, but I wasn’t expecting much going in. Totally fine for what it is.

Overall I think the Q7 is a pretty solid choice for 3 row luxury SUV’s. Tech was nice, build quality was nice, and it drove fairly well. Price as tested was $55k. Not terrible, but I’m gonna direct my folks to go CPO. Maybe even get one with a Carmax warranty.

Any VAG/Audi guys have any advice? I know some of you must have some experience with these.

DISCUSSION (24)

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AM3R shamefully returns
07/01/2015 at 23:41

Is the third row an absolute necessity? If not, I highly recommend the Touareg instead. You can get a well-equipped TDI for the same price as the gas one. I would start by looking to see if anyone has a remaining 2015 TDI R-Line in your area. Its pretty much the same thing as what you were hoping to find, just without the third row.

Milky > AM3R shamefully returns
07/01/2015 at 23:46

Damn you Audi ….

Kinja'd!!!

AM3R shamefully returns > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/01/2015 at 23:47

I love the Touareg, I actually prefer how they look over the Q7 (and the price is even better). The third row isn’t absolutely necessary, but it’s insanely helpful. It’s incredibly convenient to take one car when we all get together and it’s nice to be able to use the car for road trips.

Just based on price alone they may end up at the very least considering a Touareg. Too bad they don't have the damn third row!

AM3R shamefully returns > Milky
07/01/2015 at 23:49

I'm still surprised they put the V10 TDI in the Touareg but not the Q7..

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AM3R shamefully returns
07/01/2015 at 23:52

I get the usefulness of it, but putting the second row all the way up to be able to use it means that everyone in the back is going to suffer. Plus, if I’m remembering correctly, once the third row is up there isn’t much cargo room in the back. Not very trip friendly.

I think a White or Toffee Brown exterior with a Saddle interior in the Touareg makes for one of the most beautiful cars available for purchase today. The R-Line kit just takes it to that next level.

Milky > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 00:00

I just blame the economy crash for us (U.S.) not getting the V12. And for Audi not putting it in the R8 too. Oh what could have been.

Kinja'd!!!

AM3R shamefully returns > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
07/02/2015 at 00:11

Funny you mention that combo on the Touareg.. http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/17F9CED…

Lindsay VW has one without R-line for $5k less!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 00:17

That’s at Sheehy, it’s beautiful. Just know that the VR6 is going to be slow compared to the 3.0t. But if that works, it’s CPO, and I say go for it!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 00:33

I have no experience or advice, but I’ve always felt that Audi SUVs have great road presence. Looks better than the X5, more interesting than the M, ML? Or does the Q compete against the GL... ahhh, looks cool is what i mean.

AM3R shamefully returns > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/02/2015 at 00:38

Road presence is great with these, I’m usually a BMW guy but the third row in an X5 is useless and only an option so it’s hard to find. The ML doesn’t offer a third row and is super common. The GL has a great third row but starts like $10k higher and is a lot bigger.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 00:42

No one ever goes for this suggestion, but a first gen MDX isn’t absurdly huge at all and has a very usable third row. Though if your folks are looking at Q7s I guess they’re not shopping for a 13 year old Acura :)

AM3R shamefully returns > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/02/2015 at 00:47

I like the second and current gen MDX a lot. Crazy you mention the 13 year old MDX.. Back in 2007ish they considered getting a used first gen but decided to play it safe and get a used odyssey instead because the economy. I bet they’d love the Acura reliability.. I always figured the MDX didn’t have a good third row, now I’m definitely gonna have to bring them to check one out. GREAT SUGGESTION!

Audistein > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 00:50

Were you looking at a new one at all? If so beware, because there’s a completely new one next year so expect the value of yours to drop when the 2016 reaches dealers.

The the Q7 really hasn’t changed much underneath since 2005 and the styling and engines haven’t changed much since 2009. I am a bit pessimistic but I see the Q7 as a new 10-year-old vehicle that looks like a 6-year-old vehicle with a 4-year-old interior. With the new Q7 shedding over 700 lbs and getting the next generation MMI remaining 2015 vehicles are essentially lame ducks. Unless you get a really fantastic deal on a new one, you might as well buy CPO (and get a TDI) instead.

I am actually looking myself for a 2-row SUV that I will be purchasing next month but I did take a look at the XC90. The drivetrain is a little noisy for my taste (coming from an A8 and a Lexus hybrid so I’m totally spoiled) but besides that it is an absolutely fantastic vehicle. Drives very well, excellent interior and seats, and really great infotainment system. Is actually much shorter than the Q7 but seems to have the same amount of space inside. I only looked at the highest trim but it was very nice. A couple corners are cut, like the adjustments for the steering wheel are manual, but definitely a solid vehicle with good ergonomics. I haven’t driven a Q7 but I’ve ridden in them and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Volvo over it. Play around with the online configurator because it’s actually quite reasonably priced compared to the GL and Q7. Definitely get at least the middle tier seats.

The X5 and Range Rover Sport are both available with 3rd rows but I find the back seats to be so small. I am very tall though so maybe you should go check it out yourself.

Personally, I think I’m going to get a 5-seat X5 with either the V6 or V8 (I’m still deciding if it’s worth my time to have all the extra fill-ups in exchange for the power). BMW’s diesel was very rough so I’m not getting it. The V6 X5’s fuel economy is about on par with my D4 V8 A8L and the V8 X5 is about the same as the V6 RR Sport!

Prepare for a wall of negativity! As for why I picked the BMW: The Toureg is very overpriced for the features and level of luxury you get (especially the lame seats and interior materials), the Cayenne drives well but is very tight inside with a tiny trunk (I need a bigger trunk), the Range Rover Sport drinks fuel and isn’t built as well (and infotainment isn’t very good), the ML feels very old and I don’t like the engine choices, the XC90/Q7/GL/Full-size-Rangie are too big for me and don’t drive as well as the X5. The new RX isn’t out yet so I haven’t seen it but there is no way it will drive as well as the German competition. What I think about my current RX is another whole paragraph but to summarize besides the driving being very numb I actually really like it.

In summary, my suggestion would be that you look at least at a CPO TDI Q7, a new Volvo XC90, a CPO Merc GL (diesel?), and maybe a CPO 3 row X5. The E-Class wagon also has 7 seats if you don’t need a lot of storage at the same time! There’s also the Americans and Japanese if you’re willing.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 00:50

Herp derp anecdote incoming, my parents still have their ‘01. 245k and lots and lots of grandchildren and airport trips.

AM3R shamefully returns > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/02/2015 at 00:53

That’s great to hear. I didn’t even know the first gen had a third row. The odyssey is creeping on 100k, but my dads accord is about to hit 120k and neither have given too much grief. They're both very comfortable with Honda products.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 00:57

My old man is big on Honda products. Used to daily a ‘76 civic hatch.

AM3R shamefully returns > Audistein
07/02/2015 at 01:06

Thanks for the in depth response, I’m aware that the new Q7 is about to come out. I actually saw one fully undisguised at the grocery store with manufacturer plates. We’re mainly looking at CPO, we only tested new because our local dealer had less than 6 Q7’s and all were new. I was actually just looking at Carmax and they have a few really nice ones with around 30k on them for great prices.

I like the X5 a lot, especially the E70 generation. I’m a big BMW guy, I drive an E90 3 series myself and really enjoy it. The X5 would be our top choice (it’s always going to at least be considered, if we ran into a great deal we’d probably end up with it) but the third row is not great. The X5 is easily one of the best handling SUV’s. The size is great, the interior is fairly nice, and I like the looks. Great deals out there too on the E70. The V8 is nice, but the turbo inline six is a great engine as well. Very smooth and tunable as well. The power is there and the economy isn’t too bad, usually nets a little better than EPA on the highway.

Funny you mention the Volvo, my mom noticed a used one at the Audi dealer and she liked it. It was a stripper model though, so we didn’t look too much into it (didn’t even have leather).

I recently picked up a W204 Mercedes. It’s a bit boring IMO but great for a daily driver I guess. The real problem is that I dislike my local dealership. Consistently poor service. I’m patient enough to just deal with it but I’ve already found an Indy shop that does better work for better prices. My folks prefer going to the dealer though.

AM3R shamefully returns > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
07/02/2015 at 01:08

No kidding, my dad had a ‘76 civic when he was in college in the late 80’s. He stupidly sold it for a ford fairmont, a car so bad he still hates ford products haha. He loved that civic and still wishes he held on to to it. (Supposedly he met my mom when he was in it, I have no clue if that's true. Just what my uncle told me)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 01:11

My dad told me he loved his little cars (owned multiple Beetles) but said once he bought his Audi 4000, he was never going back.

Dunnik > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 02:05

Kinja'd!!!

duurtlang > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 02:37

In late 2013 I got to drive a then brand new Touareg, which is basically the same vehicle. First and last SUV I’ve ever set foot in, let alone drive. Anyway, I didn’t like it. It was like a sofa. A cushy, floaty ride in an oversized cocoon, blocking any interaction with the surroundings/road. Probably a great road trip vehicle, but it wasn’t enjoyable to drive at all. Or park for that matter, the backup camera was absolutely necessary, which is a sign of poor design.

I guess I just don’t get this minivan-with-bodycladding segment, as I imagine other contenders in the segment are even worse.

pip bip - choose Corrour > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 04:26

when it needs brakes , expect a big bill!

thebigbossyboss > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 05:13

Is that pic on the top lifted? Looks like it. I like it’s look better like that!

Alex B > AM3R shamefully returns
07/02/2015 at 06:41

My next door neighbor has a Q7, top trim in black. Very striking car. It seems like it’s been pretty reliable recently, but it was in the shop from Friday to Wednesday of this week... Never found out why yet.