Audi Q7 3.0 TFSI: luxo people mover

In the midsize cross-over SUV segment, the market is heavily populated. There’s the Audi Q7, the BMW X5 and depending on variant, the X7, the Land Rover Defender, the Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS (again depending on specifications and variant) and the Range Rover Velar. Most are 7-seaters save for the local BMW X5 variant which is only a 5-seater (other markets get a 6-seat variant).

So what would make you pick the Q7 over its numerous rivals?

For me, it’s the ride, and the design.

Audi design has always been a strong point: Teutonic, masculine, simple yet functional, and ultimately very elegant, particularly the interior. The exterior looks handsome, and the new front and rear fascia (grill, front and rear bumper plus tail lights) help modernize the second generation Q7 which first came out in late 2015 as a 2016 year model and arrived in the Philippines a few years after its global release. The latest update projects a strong dynamic image coupled with sleeker, cleaner lines with far less embellishments.

Beneath the skin, the Q7 gets a revised adaptive air suspension that promises an even more cosseting ride, even with massive 20-inch wheels and chunky 255/35R20 tires. You can order optional 21-inch wheels and tires, similar to its SUV coupe sibling, the Q8.

Power comes from a boosted 3.0 TFSI V6 which delivers as much as 340hp and a considerable 500 Newton-Meters of torque. Transferring grunt to the Quattro all-wheel drive system is an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Q7 has paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, so in conjunction with Audi Drive Select, you can firm up the suspension, bring it closer to the ground, set the throttle response to be sharper and steering slightly heavier to give better feedback, more control and ultimately greater satisfaction.

Inside, oodles of room, combined with the latest Audi Virtual Cockpit and Audi MMI multi-media interface, (complete with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) plus multi-zone climate control keeps you comfortable. The saddle-brown leather seats go well with the soft black plastics highlighted by faux aluminum accents.

The Q7’s two greatest talents are swallowing up prodigious amounts of people (seven in total) and / or cargo, thanks to an available cargo space of 295 liters with all seven seats in use, expanding to 770 liters with the 3rd row stowed, and a whooping 1908 liters with both 3rd and 2nd row seats tucked away. After loading up the Q7 with gear, it makes for an excellent continent crusher with friends and family in tow. Its in its element on the highway, transporting people and gear in comfort and efficiency.

Need more space? The optional roof rail allows for a luggage basket, or a roof box to give more cargo carrying capacity.

Driving down south, the Q7 defaults to a very easy, very comfortable, effortless and refined cruiser that eats up the mileage with zero complaints. It’s very quiet inside, with wind and tire noise drowned out by the Bang & Olufsen surround sound system. The buttery smooth V6, in 8th gear hums very gently, the overall drive as peaceful as an electric vehicle’s.

But select Dynamic Mode, floor the throttle and the Q7 tosses its trousers for trainers, hunches down and suddenly sprints. It isn’t as aggressive as its Q8 sibling (or the Porsche Cayenne which it shares its architecture with), but definitely shows more aptitude and attitude for sporty driving.

The Q7 might not be the sharpest, most dynamic in its class. It might not be the most off-road capable, nor the sexiest. It may be fall short of its rivals in very specific attributes, in very unique driving conditions.

But 90% of the time, taking all things into consideration, the Q7 is the best in everyday, real-world driving conditions. Its perfectly balanced suite of strengths (driving dynamics, comfort, refinement, space, versatility and fuel efficiency) makes it surprisingly the vehicle you will want to default to. We observed 6.8km/liter in the city, improving to just over 11km/liter on the highway on a tight engine barely broken in. Once the V6 hits 10,000km, power and efficiency should improve dramatically.

This is not to relegate the Q7 as a boring “jack of all trades, master of none.” Rather, it is a testament to how well designed the Q7 is, and how well-rounded its abilities are. In a fast-paced world, we all need a vehicle that can be as adaptable and as versatile as we are.