The Audi Q7 has always been a trendsetter, but its complete redesign in 2017 not only resets the trend but completely breaks the mold of a three-row crossover. We took a spin in this new-look crossover to see if its bite is as good as its bark, and we have our complete summary below.
Pricing and Equipment
Like all Audi models, the Q7’s price will ring in a good bit higher than the Chevys and Hondas of the world, but it represents a great value next to its fellow German models. Its base trim, known as the 3.0T Premium starts out at a respectable $55,750 (destination fees included) and features a wide array of standard equipment, including:
- Tri-zone climate control
- 7-inch touchscreen display
- Leather seating
- Heated, eight-way power seats
- 10-speaker sound system
Buyers looking for a little more can opt for the better-equipped Premium Plus trim for $58,800 or the range-topping Prestige for $64,300. There are also plenty of options to spice it up a bit, like the MMI Navigation Plus Package ($3,000), the Cold Weather Package ($500), and the RSE III Rear Seat Entertainment Package ($1,805).
Performance Pros
The Q7 delivers the sort of performance we expect from this class of vehicles. Is it a sports car? No, but it offers a car-like feel and doesn’t shy away from the twisty stuff. It’s 500 pounds of weight loss and more rigid body certainly help in this department.
- We found the available adaptive air suspension and rear-wheel steering to be must haves
- Lots of oomph from that 333-horsepower supercharged V6
- Massive 7,700-pound towing capacity (with towing package) is incredible
Performance Cons
There is very little not to like about the way the more svelte 2017 Q7 performs, but if we can find one area to complain it’s the 21 mpg combined EPA rating. Fuel costs will certainly add a lot to the already high cost of owning a luxury crossover like this. Four-cylinder and diesel options in the future should help those looking for better fuel-economy numbers.
- Not-so-hot fuel economy will help drain the wallet
- No 2-liter or diesel options yet
Interior Pros
The cabin of the 2017 Q7 blew us away with its thin and wide dash that gives the space a roomier feel, clear Audi Virtual Cockpit, and insane attention to detail. We also found premium materials everywhere we looked and the noise insulation worked flawlessly to keep it whisper quiet.
- With such a peaceful cabin, we were shocked to learn there was no noise-cancellation equipment
- Metals and soft leathers throughout
- Good cargo room with the third row up
- Lots of legroom in the second row
Interior Cons
We feel almost criminal faulting the Q7’s cabin in any way, but its third-row seat left a lot to be desired.
- Only 29.2 inches of third-row legroom requires some stretching for adults.
The Most Pleasant Surprise
It’s hard for the Q7 to surprise us with anything as it’s been incredible since it launched in 2007, but we found its quietness particularly astounding. We dug through the features list expecting to see “active noise cancellation” somewhere in there, but it doesn’t exist. Audi just did a fantastic job with old-school insulation and sealing everything up nicely.
The Least Pleasant Surprise
That rear seat is a tough thing to overlook. Sure, it is perfect for a young, growing family, but once the kiddos hit their teens, there will be many fights over who is stuck in the third row. Granted, this is common in many three-row crossovers, but it was the one flaw we could find in the Q7.
The Bottom Line
The 2017 Q7 is not only an incredibly equipped crossover with all the bells and whistles one would expect in this segment, but it is also an incredible value. At just $55,750, it is far less expensive than the 2017 GLS450 ($69,625) and slightly undercuts the 2016 BMW X5 xDrive35i ($58,695)—all destination charges included.
