Audi Q7 4.2: Review

Nice start: "The brand with true four-wheel-drive heritage finally builds an SUV. A pretty one, too."

The Q7's basic floorpan is a cousin of that underpinning the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, but as a seven-seat model it's been substantially evolved for its Audi mission. There is some commonality - less than 15 percent, Audi engineers say, mostly in the floorpan stampings on the front end to the B-pillar - but the Cayenne and Touareg are much more closely related to each other than to the Q7. Too, the Q7's suspension components are similar to those in the Touareg but the Audi pieces are formed from aluminum to save weight.

The Q7 body is all Audi, and confidently the best-looking of the trio. Sharp cutlines give athletic definition to the profile, and the body curvature on the rear end around the taillamps manages to look clean and simple when it's really a complex set of shapes. The Q7 seems far less slab-sided than either the Cayenne or Touareg - whether or not you like its full-frame grille is a matter of personal taste.

The Q7 comes heavily equipped with luxury features. Leather seats are standard, along with automatic climate control, a power tailgate, the MMI system, 18-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, and keyless entry.

Related news: GermanCarBlog, P4MR, Audi Q7

Source: The Car Connection

Audi Q7 4.2: Review

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