2017 Audi Q7 Road Test and Review

2017 Audi Q7 gray front angle ・ Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Crossovers are king these days, but true 3-row SUVs will always be in demand. So the arrival of the all-new 2017 Audi Q7 is a touchstone moment—both for the brand and the segment. Not only will the redesigned Q7 find itself in demand with high-fashion families and assorted members of the glitterati, it also shoulders the responsibility of serving as flagship for the rest of the lineup at a time when Audi is no longer sneaking up on any of its rivals. The weight of expectation has crushed many a promising vehicle over the years, after all. Fortunately for those with Bentayga dreams and a Touareg budget, the 2017 Q7 has come prepared, and it most certainly does not disappoint.

What's new?

Audi faced an interesting dilemma in creating the all-new 2017 Q7: how do you advance a vehicle that needs greater mass appeal, while still appealing to the early adopters who embraced the older model? The brain trust opted to switch off between pushing the envelope, and playing it safe. The new design is classic and stately, more chiseled and streamlined, though a little less interesting than the predecessor. The interior is familiar and welcoming, yet simultaneously ultra-modern and dripping in luxury. Rather than multiple engine options available in the past, only one drivetrain is available now—but it’s an absolute do-everything all-star. In short, everything is new, but still unmistakably Q7.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Exterior

The first-generation Q7 exterior was especially notable for its gaping front grille that defined Audi styling through the 2000s; it eventually grew to a size that seemed to border on self-mockery at one point. It was successful, though, so of course everyone in the industry copied it, and Audi has begun scaling back. The grille on the 2017 Audi Q7 is still formidable, but slimmed and sharpened. Crisp, long strokes outline the intakes, headlights and taillights, and side character lines extend into a vaguely station wagon profile. Standard wheels are 19 inches, with available 20s, and the 21-inch options on my tester were aggressive but (somehow) subtle. In total, the Q7 sports a reserved exterior design that works, if not wows.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Interior

Once you climb inside, the 2017 Audi Q7 transforms from eye candy with an engine to a truly unique and special experience. The dash and interior controls are swathed in premium materials, and everything you touch both looks and feels like an executive boardroom. The paddle shifters are hefty but delicate; the leather-wrapped steering wheel wants to melt in your fingers; screens and gauges are vibrant; and knobs click as they rotate like you’re locking a safe. All this, even the panoramic sunroof, are standard interior equipment in the 2017 Q7. Seats are appropriately opulent and offer ventilation and massage. The result is a stunning cabin with levels of elegance and sophistication that can be tailored to your liking.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Performance

The longitudinally-mounted TFSI V6 in the 2017 Audi Q7 is supercharged to 333 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft of torque (from just 2,900-5,300 rpm), and its pairing with the 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission—blindingly quick in Sport mode—is serene. Quattro all-wheel performance is as perfectly honed as ever, and the fact that the V6/8-speed/quattro configuration is the only one available with the 2017 Q7 is a testament to the setup’s power, flexibility, and refinement. Multiple driving modes noticeably raise the car for easy-breezy smoothness in Comfort, and lower it for direct handling in Dynamic. I preferred Individual, setting the engine to Comfort with the steering and suspension in Dynamic. Choose your own performance adventure.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy ratings of 19 MPG city and 25 MPG highway may not seem like eye-popping numbers. The fact is, they put the 2017 Audi Q7 atop of its 3-row class when it comes to efficiency. On the 3-hour drive up the Pacific coast to our traditional Memorial Day camping spot, the Q7 logged 25.5 MPG to meet expectations; on the way back, with several extra stops, it clocked in at 24.9 MPG—fuel economy numbers that only the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTEC could beat, and that’s the diesel package, just one particular version of the GL. Is the Q7 ushering in a new era of fuel economy for 3-row SUVs? Time will tell. For now, it’s simply the cream of the crop.

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Technology and Infotainment

Part of the space-age DNA embedded in the 2017 Audi Q7 is its impressive high-tech capability, right out of the box (Bluetooth and satellite radio are standard). To take things to another level, though, the $9,500 Prestige package adds LED interior lighting, Audi MMI Navigation and AudiConnect with 4G LTE connectivity. One of the coolest technology features is MMI Touch, which allows you to “pencil” in letters and numbers with your finger onto a small pad, and makes inputting directions surprisingly simple. Prestige also packs Bose Surround Sound, but the other-worldly Bang & Olufsen system can be had for another $5,000—the tweeters that slowly rise up from the dash remain a gimmicky, yet totally enjoyable treat.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen

Safety

Audi felt confident enough to nominate its 2017 Q7 for the honor of Top Safety Pick+, the highest safety rating available, and paid to have it tested by the IIHS. That makes it the first large SUV to take the challenging small overlap front crash test since it was introduced way back in 2012, and wouldn't you know it, front crumple zones and copious airbags helped the Audi Q7 earn the highest possible test score. Collision warning and emergency autobraking, both standard, also excelled in accident avoidance tests, and helped the Q7 cruise to the first-ever TSP+ rating for a large SUV. Xenon plus headlights, pretensioning seatbelts, tire pressure monitoring and other standard safety measures also equip every 2017 Q7 for whatever lies ahead.

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Trims and Pricing

Rather than section it off into separate trims, the 2017 Audi Q7 comes in one version, and treats its more upscale models as optional add-ons. Therefore, the base price of every 2017 Q7 is $54,800—theoretically. The $4,000 Premium Plus “package” brings goodies like keyless start, MMI navigation, and Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto into the fold. My test car came with the $9,500 Prestige “package,” which carries the line with the Bose system, a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster and an 8.3-inch infotainment display. Throw in more extras like the Luxury package (Alcantara headliner, power soft close doors) and the Adaptive Chassis package (4-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension) and the loaded Q7 jumps to $85,425 with destination.

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Competition

Plenty of large suvs can match the 2017 Audi Q7’s dimensions, but few hold a candle to its buffet of modern conveniences. The closest rival is probably the Mercedes GL, combining a gorgeous interior with powerful engines and reasonable fuel economy—ranging from the $66,000 GL450 to the road-churning GL63 AMG with a $121,000 price tag. Refinement, space and off-road ability are available in the Land Rover Range Rover, with most models easily topping the $100k mark. A burly V8, American brashness and (relative) value come in the form of the Cadillac Escalade. At this price point, though, personal preference plays a big role in the decision—and for many, the astounding technology, ambient luxury, and underlying performance in the new Q7 will make this an easy choice.

Photo by Ryan ZumMallen