2016 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 160kW road test review

The Q7 has found its place in the world with this all-new model.

David McCowen

01:3718 May 2016

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2016 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 160kW road test review

The original Audi Q7 was something of an experiment.

As the brand's first full-sized luxury SUV, it blended roles ranging from executive chariot to family wagon, towing rig, limousine and even that of a V12-powered performance car.

Fast-forward a decade, and Audi has a better idea of what customers want from a full-sized SUV. The new Q7 is a lighter, easier-to-drive proposition with better luxury and tech credentials.

Its myriad engine choices (in Australia at least) have been whittled down to a single 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel motor in two states of tune representing entry-level and mid-range luxury offerings.

We've tested the Q7 here in its cheapest form, as a 160kW 3.0 TDI model priced from $96,300 plus on-road costs.

What do you get?

There is plenty of kit in the Q7, even for the budget model in the range. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, an eight-inch central infotainment screen with sat nav and a reversing camera, digital radio connectivity, Xenon headlights and parking sensors.

Leather trim adorns all seven seats, and there is electric adjustment for the front chairs with a handy memory function on the driver's side.

The cheaper Q7 doesn't miss out on much from the next rung up the Q7 ladder, a $103,900 model with 200kW of grunt that gets a 360 degree parking camera and fully painted body as standard – both $1300 options on the standard car. The only sore point is that the brand's outstanding 12.7-inch virtual cockpit display is standard on the 200kW Q7 but unavailable in the 160kW – a pity as it is one of the finest dashboard displays on the road.

As with any luxury car, optional extras are an important part of the owner experience. Customers can tailor cars to their own needs, adding up to $100,000 in optional extras that can transform the car.

Our test model features a relatively modest $15,000 in options, including $4075 for a driver's assistance package with active cruise control and autonomous emergency braking, $2800 LED headlights and $2400 for metallic paint.

It could be argued that some optional extras should be standard – we're looking at you, metallic paint, heated seats and electric steering adjustment – while others are best left to the options list.

There's little wrong with the standard 10 speaker stereo, though audiophiles can upgrade to a 19-speaker Bose system for $2775, or a 23-speaker Bang and Olufsen setup for $14,850.

While nice to have, massaging seats ($9850) aren't exactly necessary either.

What's inside?

Whatever they choose, buyers are unlikely to feel short changed by the Q7's modern and well-finished cabin.

Black leather with silver and anthracite trim is standard, though there are nine other metal, wood and plastic combinations that bring more personality to the interior.

It's a spacious area with well-finished surfaces that fit Audi's luxury image. The Q7's cabin presentation shades just about everything in its class save for the latest Volvo XC90, putting the wagon in good stead for years to come.

Audi's latest SUV uses a new touchpad controller that feels like a laptop's control surface, allowing customers to swipe through different settings or pinch to zoom in a similar fashion to smartphones.

While there's nothing wrong with this model's analogue dials and seven-inch driver information display, the proper fully-digital unit in the 200kW Q7 really is far more advanced. Whether it's worth spending an extra $7000 is up to you.

The Q7's chairs are supportive and comfortable, with plenty of adjustment to allow you to find an ideal posture at the wheel.

There's plenty of space in the second row for adults, though the electrically folding third row (as usual) is better suited to children. Cargo is taken care of by a cavernous boot that offers 770 litres of room with the third row folded flat.

Under the bonnet

Audi has long-championed the cause of diesel engines, applying the layout to just about every model ranging from its entry-level A1 hatchback to the superlative prototype racecars at Le Mans. The brand offered petrol power for the previous model, but this car is only available with diesel engines in Australia.

There are just two for now, a pair of 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engines that offer 160kW and 500Nm in this standard model and 200kW/600Nm in its more expensive sibling.

The less powerful model nips to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds – 0.8s more than the regular model – and its 5.8L/100km economy is just 0.1L/100km better than the usual model.

Quattro all-wheel-drive is standard in both models, as is a modern eight-speed automatic transmission.

Audi's V6 is an impressive unit. Smooth and quiet for a diesel, it offers effortless performance and plenty of tractability to shift its 2.1-tonne frame without fuss.

The automatic gearbox does a solid job of finding the right gear, shifting almost imperceptibly at low speeds and kicking down cleanly when prodded for a dollop of acceleration.

Torque is officially ample enough to tow 3.5 tones – as much as any other passenger car – though the more powerful 200kW unit is probably a better bet for heavy-duty applications. Better yet, a V8 twin-turbo diesel-powered SQ7 performance model arrives in October, brining 320kW and 900Nm performance for around $160,000.

How it drives

Undoubtedly a large car, the Q7 feels impressively compact on the road, more like an executive sedan than two plus tonnes of four-wheel-drive.

Much of that can be attributed to a significant diet that saw the model drop well more than 200 kilograms for this generation, helping the wagon feel much lighter on its feet.

The Q7 glides along effortlessly, with accurate steering and fine body control helped ably by an excellent drivetrain.

This is the first Q7 we've tested without adaptive air suspension, a $4950 option that offers variable handling modes and a better ability to cater to different loads. Initially worried that the optional suspension was a must-have addition to the Q7 frame, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the car rides beautifully on its standard steel setup. Erring more on the side of comfort than poise, the superbly-judged package works in urban centres or the open road.

Audi's optional driver's assistance package works well in the real world, with well-judged active cruise control and steering assistance systems that are particularly useful during traffic jams.

Verdict

There is no end in sight for Australia's love of luxury cars and SUVs. Models that blend both of those elements represent one of the fastest-growing segments on the road, and one of the more convincing elements of the SUV breed.

Audi is onto a winner with the new Q7, having nailed the right recipe for what a modern luxury SUV should be. It's more convincing than the previous model, and the right car for prestige customers today.

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