We love people who seem to master major challenges effortlessly: artists who fly through the air weightlessly or runners who float loosely and at high speed over the asphalt or tartan track. Then we usually suspect more than we know: the easier it looks, the more work is behind it.
This idea also occurred to us when we took the first exit with the new generation of the Audi Q7. How can that be? Because honestly: The luxury SUV is a big dream. Significantly over 5 meters long and a whopping 2,21 meters wide (with exterior mirrors). Since the parking space, which is actually quite generous, shrinks subjectively to the size of a small car despite the all-round camera and beeping, the freeway lane narrowed by a construction site can cause slight claustrophobia attacks. And the turning circle of 12,40 meters does not recommend the vehicle at least for residents of the old town.
In addition, there is an empty weight of almost 2,1 tons, if you order two chairs for a third row of seats instead of the five-seater or if you buy rims or additional equipment, you can quickly move another 100 kilos. But nevertheless - and this is the most important finding of our two-week test - the large SUV from Ingolstadt has become a strikingly handy vehicle. Not only in comparison to the first generation, which is often rightly reviled in this regard, but which nevertheless sold well for ten years, but also in competition with significantly smaller vehicles.
The impression of lightness - even of handiness - is supported by two further properties of the Q7: The vehicle is, as it should be for an Audi luxury class vehicle, finely furnished and also so well insulated that the large diesel at the front under the bonnet is at least can hardly be heard when warm and at sliding speed. So when the interior is classy and quiet, you can concentrate even better on the vehicle. The steering precision is outstanding, the cornering behavior due to the weight also thanks to the standard all-wheel drive almost neutral and the brakes are as stable as it should be for a car in this weight and price range.
The six-cylinder diesel with 272 hp and up to 600 Newton meters of torque does not suffer either from poor performance or from starting. However, traffic light bursts or high-speed motorway stages are less suited to both the character of the drive and the vehicle as a whole. Above all, the Q7 is a formidable glider, although in view of the calmness and engine power mentioned, even 180 km / h can still be felt as "gliding". The eight-speed automatic transmission, which is combined with the engine as standard, also contributes to this, which almost always makes the right gear selection and works very comfortably.
With all due caution: We never even came close to the promised 5,7 liter average consumption over 100 kilometers. If you take a step back, you can still move the colossus with a very good 6,5 liters, if you let it crack you can easily reach two-digit values. Since we correctly estimate the consumption promises of the industry right from the start, we were neither surprised nor dissatisfied with the average consumption (7,8 liters).
With all praise for the driving characteristics of the Q7, one should not ignore the actual reason for buying such a car: apart from the usual boasters who simply want to drive the largest Audi SUV or simply use it to compensate for their complexities, this is the procedure all about space. It is logically abundant for five passengers and this also on first-class seats suitable for world trips. They can then take almost 900 liters of luggage with them. If you opt for seven seats, the usable luggage space goes back to small car-like 295 liters. Or you can leave the kids at home, just take your spouse with you and, if you want, half the household: If you move the rear seats, you can make room for suitcases and bags with 2.000 liters. The right thing for long-term vacationers and hardware store fetishists.
The latter is of course nonsense. Anyone who is transported wooden slats, bricks or wash basins in a vehicle with the basic price of 61.700 euros (test vehicle price: over 96.000 euros) has probably overstretched their budget for mobility. Here we advise you to pick up a second car or to hire a trusted craftsman.
Back to the Audi and the bottom line: the Q7 is two tons of lightness that has become a vehicle. It offers a great drive train, an incredible amount of space and an outstanding quality impression. On the minus side are its dimensions that are not suitable for the city and its price - especially the sometimes outrageous surcharge. And if you want, you can of course discuss the length of red wine bottles as to whether such cars have to be at all.
Author: Peter Eck / SP-X