Audi Q7: If you must have big, this is it

We found a great article about the Audi Q7, although it stresses its size a bit too much. The strengths of the Audi Q7 are definitely in performance, not just the size.

French-Canadian designer Dany Garand describes the Q7 as having a coupé-like upper body with its shallow side windows, which is stretching a point, but the end result does show flashes of elegance.

The tail shows this the best. The tailgate flares outwards to incorporate the entire tail-light units, so there's no ugly cutline and a wide load aperture.

How will those children ever heave open those vast doors and scale the doorsills?

Once installed, they and their parents will be surrounded by luscious quality and space. Audi expects to sell half its Q7s in the US, and owners of a Chevy Blazer or Ford Explorer will be blown away by the Q7's interior sophistication.

A Cayenne is stiff and sporty, a Touareg is softer and vaguer. The Q7 manages to feel sporty-ish and supple-ish, helped by the air suspension that will be standard in the UK.

This isn't a mere 4x4, though. Being an Audi, it's a "quattro". Audi wants to stress its on-road all-wheel drive expertise and fortunately the Q7 feels remarkably wieldy, stable and agile when you take some corners even though the steering is too light and anaesthetised.

I was ready to hate the Q7 for its enormity and profligacy and ultimate pointlessness, and I would certainly never have one, but there's no doubt that it fits its role superbly.

If you must have a giant 4x4, and you like Audis, your dream has just come true.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, Audi Q7

Source: Motoring

Audi Q7: If you must have big, this is it

Watch more TV. The German Car TV.

Read more