MotorWeek | Road Test: 2017 Audi Q7

Even Audi was not immune to the 21st century big luxury SUV craze, as their first full-sized vessel, the Q7, arrived for ‘07. Well, that was then and this is now, and the Q7 didn’t change that much along the way. But, now it’s gather around a second generation Q7. So, let’s see what Audi has learned about coddling your masses.
Let the record show that the 2017 Audi Q7 is quite possibly one of the most technologically intensive vehicles to ever set rubber on our shores. It feels like driving the future; mostly in a good way.
That feel mostly comes from the multitude of autonomous safety features that aim to keep you safe at all costs, sometimes to your detriment. Driving briskly on back roads will require occasional fighting with lane keep; but fortunately most driver aids can be switched off. Automatic braking is included as well, and it worked perfectly every time in our barrier test.
This new-gen Q7 comes with an updated 3.0-liter supercharged V6, now outputting 333-horsepower and 325 lb-ft. of torque.
It connects with an 8-speed automatic transmission to deliver 7,700-lbs. of towing capacity. That’s over 1,000 lbs. more than previously. But, there’s no firm timetable as to when a TDI diesel will return to the U.S. lineup.
The Q7 is certainly up for any kind of road conditions you subject it to, as standard quattro all-wheel-drive constantly and smoothly distributes power wherever it will do the most good.
The front end is easily recognizable as a modern Audi, but the overall jacked-up wagon profile carries over from before.
7-passenger seating is standard, with the 2nd row pleasantly roomy; but 3rd row space is still more adequate for kids or short distances.
Everything is highly configurable of course, to prioritize seat or cargo space. There’s 14.8 cubic-ft. of room behind the power-folding 3rd row, expanding to 37.5 behind the 2nd row, and maxing out at 71.6 with all seats folded.
The care taken to address elements like the covers for the LATCH system, speak to the level of detail Audi brings to this segment.
Front seats are beyond comfortable, and the surrounding environment is everything we’ve come to love and now expect from Audi.
Selecting Prestige trim or adding the Vision package to lesser trims, will get you Audi’s virtual cockpit with the ability to bring any important information, including navigation maps, up full in the gauge cluster.
Which means you can tuck the central screen away for the most part, keep your eyes forward, and control everything right from the steering wheel.
We weren’t sure there was even a need for 1,920-watts of sound or 23-speakers in a vehicle, but after experiencing it, we’re now wondering how we ever existed without it.
Depending on your monthly payment, you’ll either have traditional 5-link fully independent suspension or the upgraded adaptive air system.
Regardless, the ride is very smooth and compliant, with good steering weight and body posture through corners. With about 250 lbs. less weight to toss around, this is easily one of the more entertaining options in the luxury ute segment right now, almost sports sedan nimble.
The biggest benefit of the air setup is you can pump up some more ground clearance for off road excursions.
Our excursions were more pavement focused, including a brisk romp to 60 in 5.9-seconds. It’s plenty torquey off the line, and quattro ensures a slip-free take off.
Shifts are quick and abrupt in a good way; gears are well-spaced, as there was never any huge drop offs in power as we made our way to a ¼-mile time of 14.4-seconds at 100 miles-per-hour.
On our cone course we did find the very quick steering took some time to get used to. There was some mild understeer to deal with as well, but very minimal body roll. But, after a few turns, we were delighted to fine that the Q7 responded better the harder we pushed it. Something we don’t often say about SUVs.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 19-City, 25-Highway, and 21-Combined. Our average was a barely acceptable 20.0 miles-per-gallon of Premium.
Base pricing, while high, is par for the segment at $55,750.
The 2017 Audi Q7 makes a great case for being the definitive family luxury vehicle. It’s made for taking long trips in extreme comfort; while keeping you safe and connected with the ultimate in current dependable technology. A new benchmark has indeed arrived in the luxury 3-row crossover segment.

[@eggbirdtherooster]

I must say, the design is strangly growing on me.. Now I saw them in the wild also.. Impressive looking thing !

[@darylljackson1968]

You can complain about the exterior all you want! But it has better resale value, safer, and reliable! Audi are very underrated, haters going to hate!!!!

[@mipmipmipmipmip]

good luck reselling you Audi TDI!

[@lucyfan1976]

Absolutely. I have owned 2 Audi's and have zero regrets. Two of my friends bought BMW's when I bought my A6 in 2016 and mine has been a gem, trouble free and no issues. They are in for repair after repair and their cars still are not good. Even one has an engine noise they can't get rid of. Don't know what it is? It's not a knock, but it makes weird noises. Nobody can diagnose it. I will buy an Audi anyway over Mercedes and BMW.

[@mervinprone]

What an understated and gorgeous car this is. No one ever mentions it but Audis also smell amazing.

[@susand1177]

Yes, they do! I thought I was the only one that noticed...they smell clean and fresh!

[@chaoszombie9995]

!?

[@blackericdenice]

Damn that thing is quick.

[@davidmandell9909]

The Q7's exterior grows on you and is beautiful

[@FLJAMESFL]

I bet that Bose sound system sounds like a disco club on wheels. Nice job Bose.

[@lucyfan1976]

It is ridiculous how good it sounds. I have a 17speaker Bose in my A6. I got a Q7 loaner for my last Maintence service and the 23 speaker or whatever it is Bose is outstanding. Imagine they even have one more step up with the B&O system. Maybe it will shatter the windows? lmao.

[@arshchahal8291]

they dont look good at first or on tv but definitely better after personal experience

[@DemonFox26]

Such a perfect vehicle I absolutely love my Q7

[@oneshotvidi]

Same here. I love this vehicle! My Q7 is now my side piece. Shhhhhhh don’t tell my wife! 🤣🤣🤣

[@luckyhi1477]

@@oneshotvidi are they fast suvs to you?

[@TheStullaKing]

Was not a fan, but they do look better in person.

[@gachauni9083]

Best in its class!

[@suzigti92]

Love the channel and show. But some mis info I wanted to share. torque is 352 @2900rpm. This new gen actually weighs 500lbs less.

[@MrRobertG2]

I Need The TDI!!!!!!

[@gouldnj]

Great review, but would it kill the editors to spend a couple hundred dollars to get rid of all the weeds and trash on the test track??!!

[@ttroygotknife]

thats fast for this 2 tob fay boy

[@DJEddieXZ]

Hmmm. Toureag which is about 47K base or Q7 with base package

[@susand1177]

Yeah but it doesn't have interior or the tech?

[@theokan89]

Oh wow this is a nice station wagon. What model is this?

[@EDHBlvd]

If you want a real wagon, check out the Volvo V90. This Audi is a crossover Suv.

[@susand1177]

Rediscover Film - Volvo troll. Is it still 5cents per Q7 diss?

[@theokan89]

no, but your vw golf based '97 audi is not going appreciate with your youtube comments 😂😂

[@TJC450]

Where are the retro reviews?!?!

[@chrisdooley6468]

Go to the main channel and pull up Retro Reviews under their playlists.

[@TJC450]

+Chris Dooley I am well aware on how to find them. They just haven't been uploading like they have been.

[@paullekoduk4428]

My wife made me 2buy q7 the best car 2drive , love it thank you wife.

[@harperwallace5633]

Although it is not the best looking car I still like the design. I do think that Volvo did a little bit better with the new xc90 though.

[@Aurora_v_cali]

👍🏽

[@manthony225]

coddling my WHAT now?

[@Walter-hg2nr]

It looks so plane !!!!! It's a Van only $80 000 haha

[@chaoszombie9995]

Barely acceptable?!!?!?' I couldnt get that out of an I4 Civic..

[@persikii8020]

The old Audi 2015 is almost the same price of the new Audi

[@hellkitty1014]

Am I the only one that liked the previous-gen better? The profile and interior(a rarity for Audi) of this Q7 just doesn't do it for me. No way in heck would I buy this over the handsome and better looking inside and out Volvo XC90, even if it's reliability hasn't been proven on it's turbo/s'chgd 2.0L I-4.

[@kevin1492]

Have you seen one in person? I found it to be far more impressive when I actually sat in one - for some reason it doesn't quite translate well on a screen (the dark color scheme doesn't do it too many favors)

[@hellkitty1014]

+Kevin DeClerk I have a few times. A neighbor just traded a 2014 TDI in for this new one in white. While it does look decent(admittedly better than the what-in-the-heck were they thinking BMW X5) w/ their 20" dark finished wheels, the dash-to-axle and stubby proportions are just off, something the old model didn't suffer. But I know tastes vary vastly in this class.

[@EDHBlvd]

Motorweek also got 26mpg overall on their T6 XC90. This Audi's 20mpg was as they described "barely acceptable". I also noted the acceleration from this supercharged V6 was barely stronger with the Volvo a half second behind to 60mph and through the quarter mile. I'd gladly take that slightly worse acceleration for the significantly better gas mileage in the Volvo. The hugely better looks of the Volvo. The amazing interior of the Volvo. The list goes on and on. This overpriced Audi is a fail. They really need to redesign this butt ugly exterior too. Looks nothing like the beautiful Audi sedans and avant wagons.

[@hellkitty1014]

+Rediscover Film Agreed on all fronts. I built an XC90 Inscription for $61k with all that I'd need just for the heck of it. The Audi with Prestige to somewhat mirror the Volvo that I built was $66K. No way.

[@Joseph1NJ]

I had two thoughts looking at the exterior: what year is this, and yawn.

[@pippipster7705]

Q8

[@pierrevidus2480]

Blogueuse à Marrakech

[@cubedmack]

Looks like a mini van.

[@blackericdenice]

Because of the need for better mpg, I would think they would use turbo over supercharger. Well Audi is a cheap German car.

[@jlcii]

Superchargers are more reliable than turbochargers, so actually not a bad idea.

[@blackericdenice]

Jo Co Turbos don't go bad like they use to. I would rather have better mpg and it's easier to turn up the boost with a turbo.

[@jdm1152]

blackericdenice so you sell fords?

[@blackericdenice]

Hermen Marshall no

[@93remix]

AND 4 ONLY $300K YOU CAN BUY THE BENTAYGA... the same body, upgraded materials and engine: 500+hp

[@matthewsahr5205]

Audi's kind of look drunk in the front

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Yucss, prefer the last one model

[@jdm1152]

Mario Torrez Quant just because you cant buy a new one?

[@Sanpedranoazul]

Hermen Marshall Don't need one buddy!!!

[@srikalaiselvitravels2397]

Features is ok. But old model is looking good. New model is looking like as a small suv

[@michaelschneider-]

.... Please, please. .. Stop qualifying Hi Fi systems by "watts". .. A playback systems wattage value is meaningless. .. Meaningless. ..

[@esteemedenergy]

Looks like a new 4runner

[@jasonsmith1143]

looks like a DODGE journey

[@RyanEmeryLovesCars]

Wish they weren't such money pits

[@joshakaoger69]

supercharged ummm the back said 3.0 T

[@joshakaoger69]

bose? haha garbage

[@EDHBlvd]

Yes it is supercharged. Audi marketing. Look at their spec on their site. 3.0L Supercharged V6

[@joshakaoger69]

+Rediscover Film i could care less whats in this vw just dumb it says t on the back

[@jdm1152]

Josh B whats your point?

[@joshakaoger69]

my point is what i wrote..

[@InvestBetter.]

Still ugly enough, but not as bad as the previous Q7. Won't threaten vehicles like older the Mercedes GLS or the Cadillac Escalade

[@jdm1152]

Nissan TitanWarrior The Q7 is less of a dollar sign driving around. This is luxurious while being less pretentious, unless pretentious is what you're u are going for.

[@RomanM803]

the old one looks better.

[@jdm1152]

Jaylen Bond looks better on your pocket book your u mean.

[@esteemedenergy]

Jaylen Bond old version looks far far better.

[@Toyota4Life]

It's kinda ugly honestly

[@mrdydy1990]

Toyota4Life they ruined the exterior

[@burninggas7715]

20 mpg average for a updated V6 is dated

[@Porsche996driver]

It looks great, quicker, better handling, and a steal compared to the incredibly ugly & overpriced Infinity.

[@Leo-ok5qi]

Dave auf dem BMW y'all dreaming in germany to ever compete with infiniti and lexus and acura .

[@ducoo6212]

audi is the most overprized brand which existed in the last 20 years, completely ridiculous. only germans like their own cars but they also can´t afford them because in Europe they are shameless overprized. This Q7 goes in the highest trim easily over 100k of -euros-. btw the german brands artificially hold up the high prices of their cars supported by the criminal german government! Shame on you

[@grabir01]

One of the few cars less reliable than Mercedes or BMW.

[@EDHBlvd]

Haha 👍

[@grabir01]

ya ya

[@landononeal8493]

actually the consumer reports says that the q7 is the most reliable car in its class

[@grabir01]

lol !!

[@samsonokoro5036]

Landon O'neal more reliable than the Lexus Lx 570? I sincerely doubt that unless they don't put them in the same category

[@mrdydy1990]

Please audi redesign the exterior it looks fckn ugly

[@Techjunkiero]

Looks more like a minivan. Truly awful. First generation still a looker and looks more modern compared to this.

[@EDHBlvd]

So ugly compared to the rest of the Audis. The S8, S7, S4 are all amazing looking. This is ugly as sin.

[@graphguy]

Totally YOUR opinion. Indeed you are entitled to it, but lets just be clear. But on the more important part is all that technology. When electronic whizbang gadgets go out, they leave you totally out of luck and facing a huge $$$$ fixit price. For example the really cool dashboard display replacing your standard tach and speedometer. When those go out you will be blind for those two important devices.

[@jdm1152]

Rediscover Film this is why you don't get to design autos.

[@danecroft21]

With the Virtual cockpit. When the system goes down. A secondary system keeps the Speedometer and Tachometer up. If they are in the small form. They are automatically raised and made bigger as they demonstrated.

[@susand1177]

Rediscover Film is a prolific Volvo-planted troll. Ignore his obviously funded opinions :)

[@GraitBritton]

all the new audis are hideous. they look like computer generated renderings of cars on a old computer. ...like dead ass the design team needs to be reprimanded. ...old gen is way nicer...especially the s line q7.

[@ivanmatz5812]

I agree when talking about the Q7. But the RS7, S4, S3, TTRS, etc. are gorgeous in my opinion.

[@FinestInstinct]

+Ivan Matz ESPECIALLY the RS7. Damn!.. That thing is sex on wheels.

[@ivanmatz5812]

FinestInstinct Yeah, I think it's the best looking car in production. Yep, even better than any supercar. It's just elegant and sporty in a way no other car can match.

[@FinestInstinct]

Ivan Matz I agree. All it needs for it to be perfect, is that new virtual cockpit imo. I love tech.

[@GraitBritton]

A car isn't just about tech...or the fisker karma would've been flying off the shelf...its about the driving experience. ..and the audi doesn't pocess that...2.0 litre 4 banger..on luxury cars..i mean get real.

[@jonesjonz1]

Simply ugly & don't try to gizmo me out of that fact.

[@EDHBlvd]

Yup. Crazy ugly compared to the rest of Audi's line.

[@billthestinker]

Fancy VW

[@shepleonard8695]

I can't stand watching these videos simply because of the way he talks and his cadence. He's like a bad Minor League Baseball announcer.

[@samsonokoro5036]

would never take this to the Lexus 570, Range Rover Sport or full sized Range Rover, I'll even take.the Mercedes-Benz Gls to this as well. The exterior is ugly and the interior excluding the screens in the car looks bland and doesn't ooze luxury in my opinion.

[@susand1177]

Samson Okoro -Bland interior? Are you a comedian by trade? Clearly not seen one in person, let alone sat inside :)

[@FinestInstinct]

Samson Okoro You need an eye exam or a cat scan, if you don't think the Q7 is luxurious. Its pure luxury and practicality on wheels.

[@ducoo6212]

says the African, nice job