After ignoring the lucrative SUV market since its inception, Audi has finally entered the fray with its high end Q7 Quattro.
Built on the same platform as the Porsche Cayenne, its prominent front grille and strong rounded lines give the Q7 a strong family resemblance. And Audi says its bold wheel arches, body sills and bumpers impart a sense of "sporty elegance".
While 18 inch rims are standard, the owner can opt for two additional wheel/tire packages, all the way up to 20 inch polished aluminum alloys sporting R-rated low profile tires.
An overall length of just over 200 inches and a curb weight of almost 5,500 pounds make the Q7 one of the largest and heaviest vehicles in its class.
Power to haul this vehicle down the road comes from either a 3.6 liter six or the 4.2 liter V8 that came in our test vehicle. The V8 boasts a dual cam, 32 valve lay-out that delivers 350 horsepower and 325 foot pounds of torque. According to the EPA, fuel consumption for the V8 averages 14 MPG city and 19 Highway.
Audi's full-time Quattro all wheel drive delivers power to the road via the six-speed transmission that allows the driver to select the TipTronic or fully automatic shifting function. To bring the Q7 to a stop it relies on 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS.
The Q7 transports up to seven in a world of soft leather, accented by hardwood trim, and protects them with a complete array of airbags. Power-options include tilt/telescoping steering wheel, heated seats, a power tail gate lift and its unique "Open Sky" roof system.
Dual climate controls are provided as well as a premium Bose multi-disc CD changer, a navigation system and Audi's "Driver Assist System" that electronically aids the driver in a variety of on and off road situations.
Audi's large luxury SUV makes it presence felt at a price that offers reasonable value when compared with others in its class. MSRP for the base Q7 is about $40,000 but the up scale, fully loaded V8 we tested would roll out the dealer's door more in the range of $60,000.
Total running time 2:40