2008 Audi Q7 Reviews

Audi Q7 was designed back in the days when car makers were under the impression that buyers wanted an SUV to traverse difficult country. In fact, the great majority were just looking for a practical station wagon in which to transport their families. So the original Audi Q7, launched here in September 2006, was

It's a topic of debate -- some would argue the Range Rover kicked off the prestige SUV craze 40 years ago.Others say SUVs aren't serious off-roaders and the modern category was established by ze Germans. It is the latter crowd that -- regardless of the origins of the species -- have come to dominate this prestige SUV segment.Be it an upper-crust shopping centre carpark or the leafy confines of a private school's grounds, you are guaranteed of spotting three particular vehicles -- the BMW X5, Audi's Q7 and examples of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.The brand that has built its image on sheer driving pleasure and derivations therein has the X5 on its books, the benchmark in the class for on-road dynamics and some epic powerplants.The X5 sits behind only the 3 Series as BMW's top seller and is the best of its SUVs, fitted with six and eight cylinder petrol engines and six-cylinder turbo diesels.For those not concerned with fuel economy, the petrol V8s provide much in the way of propulsion and aural amusement but the oilers are the gems. The X5 has badge cred, car-like dynamics and family wagon versatility -- even a third-row option but space isn't abundant.Audi's Q7 has been outshone to some extent by the introduction of the smaller Q5, but the big Ingolstadt wagon has space aplenty. Among its petrol and turbo diesel engines, the 3.0-litre V6 oiler is the value pick. Not as nimble or car-like as the BMW, the Audi has a more useable third row of seats but lacks low-range.The M-Class is best off the beaten track, with an optional off-road package for the more serious adventurer. It has V6 petrol and turbo diesel, and V8 options including the super-quick ML63. As with the Audi, the V6 diesel is the best all-rounder.Last year the sales of large SUVs over $70,000 topped 17,000 , up 11 per cent. This year the segment is up more than 30 per cent with all three brands' SUVs selling strongly.Getting into one of these late-model beasts is relatively not expensive. Thanks to finance defaults, leased vehicles moving on and even trophy wives wanting something new, the "pre-owned'' market has no shortage of them, some with new car warranty remaining.Top TipsAs with all used cars, signs of poorly repaired accident damage (inconsistent welds, paint and panel fit) as well as signs of water intrusion (given recent flood events and submerged new car stocks) can point to rusty consequences.Diesel powerplants are generally more frugal when towing or on the open road but the fuel economy is offset by higher purchase price, service costs and the price of diesel. Do the numbers based on your driving habits (using urban and extra-urban fuel economy figures, not the combined-cycle number) and pick the appropriate machine.If you are hauling polo ponies, dressage nags, a boat or a van, check the towing capacity details, as some 4WDs make big boasts but fall over in real-world applications.2006 BMW X5 4.4Engine: 4.4-litre V8 petrolTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 14.8L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe slogan "there's nothing quite like a V8'' applies here -- while the X5 has worthy diesels, the 4.4-litre V8 on offer in the big Beemer has appeal and when used sensibly won't drink ridiculous amounts of pulp. Leather trim, the full gamut of electronic safety gear and a clever all-wheel drivetrain make the big wagon more nimble than many passenger wagons and more than a few sedans.2008 AUDI Q7 3.0 TDIEngine: 3.0-litre V6 Turbo DieselTransmission: 6-speed automaticThirst: 10.5L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThe V6 turbo diesel, one of the brand's better engines, deals well with the Audi's mass. Not as nimble as an X5 but far from a truck, the Q7 has a long features and safety equipment list plus leather trim. Tips the scales over two tonnes but can drag 3.5 tonnes when asked. There are bigger diesel and petrol engines but the 3.0-litre is a good all-rounder.2009 MERCEDES-BENZ ML 350 CDI WAGONEngine: 3-litre V6 turbo dieselTransmission: 7-speed automaticThirst: 9.6L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSUS-built -- as is the X5, which pipped the Benz by 49 sales last year -- the ML progressed significantly from the original M-Class, maintaining a greater off-road ability while closing the gap to the X5 in on-road dynamics. The badge holds plenty of cachet. There is an off-road pack with diff locks, low range, height-adjustable suspension and under-body protection.  

Nudging its electronically governed 236km/h top speed, the behemoth Audi Q7 cannonballed down the autobahn's outer left lane. For tens of kilometres, this 2.4 tonnes of luxury SUV vied effortlessly with a BMW 7 Series, the Audi's 4.2-litre diesel V8 delivering 760Nm of turbine-like thrust put down to the billiard-table tarmac through all four wheels via a six-speed Tiptronic auto.Slower vehicles segued smoothly to the inside lanes as we blurred the Bavarian boondocks. Thus we spent a morning last northern spring on the approaches to Munich in the most powerful vehicle of its type.It could have been an advertisement for the efficacy of western Europe's freeways and wisdom of teaching drivers to drive.That was then; this is now.Now we're in Sydney. The vehicle is identical, save for the steering wheel being on the right, but the quickest lane is still the left (although, given that the right lane is more often than not occupied by zombies doing 75km/h in 80 zones, quickest is hardly the word).The Q7 runs lean — amazingly so for its size and weight — but too many of the diesel pumps you encounter at filling time are fit only for trucks and covered in a stinking patina of slime.And, as though to emphasise that what is — for now — Audi's halo SUV (a1000Nm V12 diesel is mooted) is just too much for the auto backwater that is Australia's biggest city, even the weather is grim.Unless you live in America (or in Mosman) and therefore find using a massive SUV for daily urban driving entirely sound and reasonable, there's something just a bit mad about this Q7.Audi is making ever better all-wheel-drive cars in less bloated form. The forthcoming A4 Avant will be a stylish load-carrier. The yet-to-be released Q5 medium SUV could very well be another.The current 3.0 TDI Allroad is a good SUV/wagon compromise: a bit like a Subaru Outback, except with a great six-cylinder diesel engine and a weepingly expensive price tag.Of course, some of you just have to have an SUV and, in the 18 months they've been on sale locally, the lesser Q7s have done well.The Q7 can also seat seven, although the rearmost two had better not be adults. And this provision, as Audi has been obliged to make abundantly clear in its advertising, costs extra.In isolation — and even at $124K — the 4.2 TDI is pretty compelling. Forbiddingly big though it is, it's no great chore to drive or even park, thanks to vast wing mirrors and an indispensable reversing camera.Forward motion obviously isn't going to be a concern with all that torque on tap, but it's snatchy at low speeds.Urban fuel use of 16 litres per 100km is just one way in which it justifies its premium over the V8 petrol version.Thing is, you'd really need to be towing a trailer full of elephants on a regular basis — or just really “have to” have the top model — to justify the circa $40K spend over the base diesel 3.0 TDI. Most of the time, that's all the Q7 you could want.Especially in this neck of the woods.