Audi Q7 TDI 200 2015 review

The sleeker Q7 virtually drives itself and steers you out of harm's way — if you're prepared to pay.

Has Audi built the idiot-proof car? Not quite... but the new Q7 comes pretty close.

It can steer you back into your lane if you're not paying attention and hit the brakes if the freeway traffic slows unexpectedly. Overseas models can even help you reverse park the trailer.

But the guardian angel gear comes at a cost. The cheapest Q7 you can buy for now starts at $103,900 ($14,000 more than the cheapest of the outgoing variants) and climbs steeply if you want all the trimmings. Our test car had roughly $26,000 worth of extras.

It's a big ask at a time when the large luxury SUV market is crowded and growth is modest, in contrast with the rest of the SUV segment. Competition is fierce. The Q7 is just one of four new arrivals this year, joining the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Mercedes-Benz's GLE and Volvo XC90 in new car showrooms.

Design

Unkind observers called the last version the QE7, a reference to the cruise liner. It was big and looked heavy and cumbersome.

The new one looks sleeker, more compact and lower to the ground yet preserves the cabin space, with good head and legroom for the second row and acceptable space for the third. The third row seats now fold at the press of a button and access has improved but there are no air vents for carsick kids.

The cabin is everything you expect from an Audi. Quality is top-notch, with quality leather trim matched with tasteful wood and alloy-look finishes.

The central screen is easy to navigate and good to look at, while optional ambient red lighting lifts the look at night. The highlight, a digital instrument panel the driver can tailor to taste, includes satnav.

About town

The more compact Q7 doesn't feel as cumbersome to manoeuvre through car parks and narrow city streets. The 3.0-litre diesel is quiet and refined, with plenty of urge off the mark (Audi claims a 0-100km/h time of 6.5 seconds) yet fuel consumption on test was reasonable, thanks to stop-start technology. The optional air suspension dealt well with potholes.

As part of the idiot-proofing, the Q7 will slam on the brakes at low speeds if it senses a nose-to-tail accident. Among the standard safety gear are blind spot alert with big, easy to see flashing lights in the side mirrors and rear cross-traffic alert to help with reversing into traffic.

A 360-degree camera giving the view from above makes parking in tricky spots easier, as do the front and rear sensors, cameras and auto parking.

If you're prepared to pay $4075 for an "assistance package", the Q7 will follow the car in front in a traffic jam, steer you back into your lane, warn you if you try to turn into the path of an oncoming vehicle and keep an eye out for potential open road dangers.

On the road

The active steering can be a pain around town (you can turn it off) but could be a lifesaver on the open road, keeping the car in its lane if the driver slips into a microsleep. The adaptive cruise control also works well, braking on its own from highway speeds to suburban speeds if needed. On the open road, the cabin is quiet and comfortable and the driver's seat has plenty of thigh and lumbar support.

In comfort mode, the optional air suspension tends to float over larger bumps and lean more in corners. Dial up sport and the car hunkers down through the bends, although the ride is a little harsher.

Performance

The 3.0-litre diesel is the only choice for now — other engines are expected next year. They are unlikely to match the diesel's effortless and efficient power delivery, courtesy of 200kW of power and 600Nm of torque.

The engine is quiet and refined, with noise and vibration barely intruding into the cabin even when you kick down to overtake.

Economy is impressive, too. The official fuel use claim of 5.9L/100km is remarkable for its 2000kg-plus weight. With six people and luggage on board, we easily averaged 8.0L.