Space & practicality, comfort, engine performance
Fuel efficiency, braking feel, steering feedback and handling
The Q7 name needs a minimal introduction, but for those of you who might be new to premium luxury SUVs, let me give you a quick recap. First making its debut in 2006, the Audi Q7 was an immediate hit with Indian buyers and had critical acclaim. Fast forward to 2015 when Audi launched the second generation Q7 that approached the task with more precision but with a comparatively less butch appearance to go with. Though it still remained a staple for luxury, the competition managed to catch on and gave the Q7 a run for its money. Fast forward to the present, and the Q7 is back with updates to its styling, interiors and a brand new engine. The question is will these changes be enough to put the Q7 back on top? Let's find out.
This is where things take quite a dramatic turn. Earlier, you could only get the Q7 with either a 2.0-litre petrol motor that made about 245 bhp of power and 370 Nm of torque which on paper doesn't seem all that high for an SUV of this proportion. Enthusiasts can now rejoice because Audi has armed the 2022 Q7 with just one engine option for this year, and it isn't a diesel. It's a 3.0 litre V6 that produces a crazy 340 bhp of power and 500 Nm of torque! This engine really knows how to go with haste and will gently pin you back into your seat and propel you to triple-digit speeds with ease. Audi claims a 0-100 time of about 5.9 seconds, and I don't doubt them for a second; if anything, I reckon they're being modest and that the Q7 could be quicker than their claim suggests. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system does a great job at putting down all of this power and is never at a loss for grip.
The cabin remains calm, and there's no V6 note to snap you out of your comfort, and I suppose that is for the best in this luxury SUV. If you haven't already guessed it, fuel efficiency isn't all that high. The Q7 returned about 5 km/pl during some spirited driving and about 8km/plunder sedate driving, so take that as you may. Truth be told, I wouldn't exactly be getting this car for the efficiency figures, and I doubt the competition will do any better, but if you're in the market for fuel efficiency, you're better off looking at EVs or hybrid models. Another gripe that I have with the Q7 is its brakes; they have a rather wooden feeling and don't inspire confidence under hard braking. Though the Q7 does manage to bring all that momentum and weight to a halt, it leaves you braking earlier than you'd like just to be on the safer side.
The Audi Q7 ticks all the right boxes when it comes to comfort, performance, and practicality, but so does the competition. That's not to say that the Q7 is a bad car but instead that this segment itself is full of nothing but the best that each manufacturer has to offer. In that sense, the Q7 does fall short and fails to bring something unique to the table to carve out a niche space for itself. The Audi Q7 is quite a tempting proposition to anyone dazzled by the amount of tech on offer, the comfortable ride quality and the handsome appearance, not to mention. It offers a great blend of comfort is a great cruiser. Prices for the Q7 are yet to be announced, so stay tuned for more information on that!
