Silver Stealth
08-21-2006, 10:52 AM
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/34739/audiq7-108s.jpg"></center><p>Won a raffle from local Audi dealer for a 1 week / 1000 mile test drive in a Q7 4.2.
I admit I was pretty biased going into it, thinking I would never want such a behemoth, and really wondering what possessed Audi to come out with it in the first place.
After living with it for 1000 miles, however, I came away from it with a new found respect. I still would prefer an A6 Avant but can understand why folks might want to pick one up. I could certainly live with one. I now understand that Audi was missing out in this market segment compared to their Euro rivals. Their late arrival seems to have paid off though in terms of the delivered product.
ENGINE:
Coming from my B6 S4, I wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised. The 350 horses combined with FSI and dual airboxes (!) moved this behemoth with authority. The sound was addictive. Some friends and family actually thought it was a bit too loud and aggressive for an SUV(?!). I personally loved it. Floor it at an intersection and bystanders grab their small children. It surprises lots of people with its wolf in sheep's clothing effect, much like my S4 does.
TRANSMISSION: I'm no fan of automatics. I prefer the control and involvement of a manual. Having said that, the Tiptronic in the Q7 wasn't that bad. I felt that the gear ratios were a little tall, however, and could have been better matched to the engine characteristics. In comparison, I recently drove an A6 Avant 3.2 and the tiptronic ratios felt different and better matched to the 3.2's engine. I don't know if in fact the ratios are any different between the two but it certainly felt that way. In the Q7, I felt like I had to drop down several gears way too often.
HANDLING: I think this was by far the most impressive feature of the Q7. This vehicle had the standard steel springs too. Something this large with a relatively high center of gravity should not handle this well. I say this with an S4 as my daily driver! I took some of my favorite roads in the Q7 and it handled them with aplomb. Audi has really started to get a grip (pun intended) on good handling dynamics. You could easily set this vehicle up in bends. I was able to push it far harder than one should have been able to.
For example, one day I had an 2006 A4 2.0T Frontrak trying to play with me on an interstate. We both took the same cloverleaf off-ramp (this happened to be the exit for the Audi dealership). I went hot into the exit and pushed it hard around the cloverleaf sweeper. By this point, I had had enough miles on the Q7 to have a good feel on how to set it up in the turn. Needless to say, the A4 driver couldn't keep up and had to really back off. The look on their face was priceless. Now granted, their experience level may have been much less (they may not have had the advantage of multiple ACNA events as I did) but regardless, they were shocked that I left them in the dust. On a final note, the ESP and stability management systems seem to have a high threshold too, as they never intervened during any of my escapades.
TECHNOLOGY: Unfortunately, this 4.2 was a base model and didn't have any of the goodies I was hoping to play with, such as Side Assist, Adaptive Air Suspension, Adaptive Cruise Control, Open Sky, etc. I recently upgraded the head unit in my S4 to Nav Plus, however, so I was familiar with most of the MMI functions anyway. It did have the four zone climate control as standard and I was impressed with the flexibility of the system, particularly the four seemingly independent blowers. The bluetooth telephone module was surprisingly useful as well. The adaptive xenons also worked really well on the curvy mountain roads I drove.
PACKAGING: This vehicle looks much smaller on the outside than the inside. I'm 5'9" and if the middle row of seats are moved up a bit, I have more than enough knee room (and head room) in the third row. If the third row isn't utilized all the time, the second row can be truly limo like. There are lots of good storage spaces inside with cupholders galore.
The Q7 is also very quiet at speed. In fact, it is noticeably quieter than my S4 on the highway with much less wind noise (this vehicle did not have the Open Sky system). It's very comfortable on a road trip. That big Audi grill also serves this vehicle well as people tend to get out of its way when they see it in their rear view mirror!
OVERALL, I enjoyed my 1000 miles with the Q7. I still can't see owning one but I no longer resent Audi for making it. I don't think Audi is abandoning their wonderful sedans or avants any time soon.
The Q7 really does drive like an Audi and that is saying something considering its girth. It's still hard for me to wrap my mind around how well it handles. If luxury SUV owners have any doubts about it, local Audi dealerships should set up makeshift slalom courses with cones in their parking lots and demonstrate the agility of this thing.
I think the Q7 will really help to broaden Audi's appeal in the U.S. market and result in quite a few conquest sales from other makes. It should also bring more than a few new customers to the Audi brand, which can only be a good thing IMHO.
You guys have a sweet ride...
I admit I was pretty biased going into it, thinking I would never want such a behemoth, and really wondering what possessed Audi to come out with it in the first place.
After living with it for 1000 miles, however, I came away from it with a new found respect. I still would prefer an A6 Avant but can understand why folks might want to pick one up. I could certainly live with one. I now understand that Audi was missing out in this market segment compared to their Euro rivals. Their late arrival seems to have paid off though in terms of the delivered product.
ENGINE:
Coming from my B6 S4, I wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised. The 350 horses combined with FSI and dual airboxes (!) moved this behemoth with authority. The sound was addictive. Some friends and family actually thought it was a bit too loud and aggressive for an SUV(?!). I personally loved it. Floor it at an intersection and bystanders grab their small children. It surprises lots of people with its wolf in sheep's clothing effect, much like my S4 does.
TRANSMISSION: I'm no fan of automatics. I prefer the control and involvement of a manual. Having said that, the Tiptronic in the Q7 wasn't that bad. I felt that the gear ratios were a little tall, however, and could have been better matched to the engine characteristics. In comparison, I recently drove an A6 Avant 3.2 and the tiptronic ratios felt different and better matched to the 3.2's engine. I don't know if in fact the ratios are any different between the two but it certainly felt that way. In the Q7, I felt like I had to drop down several gears way too often.
HANDLING: I think this was by far the most impressive feature of the Q7. This vehicle had the standard steel springs too. Something this large with a relatively high center of gravity should not handle this well. I say this with an S4 as my daily driver! I took some of my favorite roads in the Q7 and it handled them with aplomb. Audi has really started to get a grip (pun intended) on good handling dynamics. You could easily set this vehicle up in bends. I was able to push it far harder than one should have been able to.
For example, one day I had an 2006 A4 2.0T Frontrak trying to play with me on an interstate. We both took the same cloverleaf off-ramp (this happened to be the exit for the Audi dealership). I went hot into the exit and pushed it hard around the cloverleaf sweeper. By this point, I had had enough miles on the Q7 to have a good feel on how to set it up in the turn. Needless to say, the A4 driver couldn't keep up and had to really back off. The look on their face was priceless. Now granted, their experience level may have been much less (they may not have had the advantage of multiple ACNA events as I did) but regardless, they were shocked that I left them in the dust. On a final note, the ESP and stability management systems seem to have a high threshold too, as they never intervened during any of my escapades.
TECHNOLOGY: Unfortunately, this 4.2 was a base model and didn't have any of the goodies I was hoping to play with, such as Side Assist, Adaptive Air Suspension, Adaptive Cruise Control, Open Sky, etc. I recently upgraded the head unit in my S4 to Nav Plus, however, so I was familiar with most of the MMI functions anyway. It did have the four zone climate control as standard and I was impressed with the flexibility of the system, particularly the four seemingly independent blowers. The bluetooth telephone module was surprisingly useful as well. The adaptive xenons also worked really well on the curvy mountain roads I drove.
PACKAGING: This vehicle looks much smaller on the outside than the inside. I'm 5'9" and if the middle row of seats are moved up a bit, I have more than enough knee room (and head room) in the third row. If the third row isn't utilized all the time, the second row can be truly limo like. There are lots of good storage spaces inside with cupholders galore.
The Q7 is also very quiet at speed. In fact, it is noticeably quieter than my S4 on the highway with much less wind noise (this vehicle did not have the Open Sky system). It's very comfortable on a road trip. That big Audi grill also serves this vehicle well as people tend to get out of its way when they see it in their rear view mirror!
OVERALL, I enjoyed my 1000 miles with the Q7. I still can't see owning one but I no longer resent Audi for making it. I don't think Audi is abandoning their wonderful sedans or avants any time soon.
The Q7 really does drive like an Audi and that is saying something considering its girth. It's still hard for me to wrap my mind around how well it handles. If luxury SUV owners have any doubts about it, local Audi dealerships should set up makeshift slalom courses with cones in their parking lots and demonstrate the agility of this thing.
I think the Q7 will really help to broaden Audi's appeal in the U.S. market and result in quite a few conquest sales from other makes. It should also bring more than a few new customers to the Audi brand, which can only be a good thing IMHO.
You guys have a sweet ride...