Despite being a pioneering provider of all-wheel-drive vehicles, Audi only introduced its first SUV this past summer. SUV sales first took off about fifteen years ago, the field has become quite crowded, and high gas prices are now depressing sales of the big ones. Doesn't seem like a good time to enter the market with a large SUV. If the Q7 is to have a chance, it had better bring something new to the party. To find out what this might be, I took a Q7 for a test drive.

Initial Q7s were all V8s. A V6 is arriving this fall. I drove the former.

Styling

The Q7 is derived from the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, two SUVs that I have always found quite unattractive. The new Audi shares much less with its progenitors than they do with one another. Many people still find it difficult to look at. As long as the Q7 in question is shod with one of the available five-spoke wheel designs, I am not among them.

Beautiful the Q is not. But something about it recalls the art deco streamlined railway engines from the golden age of steam. Like that of those engines, the massive, rounded nose of the Q7 connotes both elegance and brute power. Despite the crowded field, no other SUV looks quite like it. So I can forgive the body for being a bit bulbous.

In contrast, the much boxier exterior styling Mercedes' GL is thoroughly conventional and thoroughly boring. One byproduct of the Audi's curves: it doesn't look nearly as large as it is. With a lengh of just over 200 inches and a width of 78 inches, the Q7 is a very large vehicle. The soon-to-be-enlarged BMW X5 is nearly a foot and a half less lengthy. I suppose the VW and Porsche are most similarly styled, but the Audi is much better proportioned. The wheelbase stretch to create space for a third row helps.

The Q7 wears Audi's huge grille, something that though heavily criticized is now being copied by other manufacturers. I don't care for it on Audi's cars. But on the large nose of this SUV it works.

Inside, the Q7 closely resembles the current A6 midsize sedan. Like that of the sedan, the Q7's upper face of the instrument panel contains a bit much hard gray plastic. But the rest is up to Audi's industry-leading reputation for materials and design. If only its styling were as distinctive as that of the exterior.

Accommodations

Here we find the downside of style. Though as long as the large Mercedes SUV and a couple inches wider, the Q7 isn't nearly as roomy inside as the GL-Class. You sit quite high, but otherwise the dimensions in the first two rows. feel about the same as those of an A6 sedan. Meaning a couple adults have just enough room in the second row. The third row--if you're old enough to drive you don't want to go there.

The number back up my impressions. Legroom in the GL's three rows is 43, 40, and 34 inches, respectively. The average adult needs about 36, so that third row cuts it close. But I've sat in it, and thanks to a position relatively high off the floor it passes muster. The same specs for the Q7 are 41, 37, and 29. Second row just passable, third row not even close. For such a large vehicle, it's very tight back there. It's not nearly as easy to get into and out of the third row as in the Mercedes, either.

The next X5 will have a third row. Despite some growth, the BMW SUV will remain much less lengthy than the Mercedes and Audi. So I'd count on its rear seat being more or less like that in the Audi.

The high and mighty driving position is a Q7 strength. You also sit high in the Mercedes GL, but the height of its instrument panel and massive A-pillars limit the view down and to the side. The Audi also has large pillars, but the windows extend further down into the body, and I generally had a much easier time places the vehicle in the lane. Extra-large mirrors aid rearward visibility.

As in the Mercedes, cargo volume resembles that of a midsize SUV. So pretty good, but not voluminous. A couple suitcases should fit behind the third row. But long trips with all the seats filled will require a rooftop carrier.

On the Road

The Q7's 4.2-liter V8 kicks out 350 horsepower and enough ratios in the autobox to place the 6800-rpm power peak always within striking distance. Direct injection enables a high, 12.5:1 compression ratio, and thus snappier responses. So, despite the hefty 5250+ pound curb weight, this thing moves. An added bonus: the burbly V8 sounds great when prodded, with a song perfectly suited to a premium large SUV.

The big Mercedes weighs pretty much the same, and up to its 6,000 rpm power peak the Benz 4.7-liter V8 out-thrusts the Audi 4.2. Yet the GL doesn't feel as quick or as eager. Partly this is because the Mercedes engine is much quieter, so the Mercedes does not feel as quick as it is. But the Audi engine also seems to respond more readily. Chalk it up to throttle calibration and direct injection.

The Audi also handles better than the Mercedes. Partly because of a better driving position, but also because of chassis tuning, the Audi feels like a much smaller vehicle from behind the wheel. Don't get me wrong. The torquey V8 plus commanding view forward provide plenty of that "king of the road" feeling I suspect many large SUV buyers prize. Yet at the same time the Audi does not feel bulky or ungainly. If you push the Benz, it'll acquit itself well. But it asks not to be pushed. In contrast, the Audi begs for it.

What happens when the road curves? There's no overcoming the fact that this is a large vehicle with a fairly high center of gravity. It cannot be driven like a sports car. But the Q7's body lean in hard turns is moderate enough, and the chassis comports itself well enough, that you won't feel the need to drive the Q7 like you would an Escalade, either. Sports sedan on stilts about covers it. Enthusiasts will have a much better time with the Audi than in the GL. Volvo's XC90 has tidier dimensions and can also be fun to drive (as SUVs go), but you'll find less slop in the Audi's chassis.

The BMW X5 is a different sort of animal, with good dynamics but a more upright, truckier feel. Audi benefits here by coming late to the party, after it has become clear that no one takes these things off-road. (While the Touareg and Cayenne have transfer cases with low-range gearing, the Audi has a quattro system much like that in the marque's cars.)

Earlier this year I was disappointed by the amount of noise and harshness in the Audi A6. It simply doesn't measure up to other premium midsize sedans in this regard. The Q7 fares better here, with a smoother, quieter ride despite the need to counteract a higher center of gravity. So, while the Q7 has much of the driver-pleasing flavor of an FX45, it lacks the Infiniti's harshness over the rough stuff. Not quite as sporting, but a much better ride-handling compromise even for most enthusiasts.

Audi Q7 Price Comparisons and Pricing

Base to base and before incentives, the VW Touareg 4.2 is about $6,000 less than the Q7 4.2. Adjusting for feature differences (including $600 for a third-row seat) cuts the gap to about $4,000.

The Mercedes GL is about $5,000 more expensive than the Q7. Adjusting for feature differences adds about $700 to the gap.

A 280-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 will soon be available. The starting price is a very significant ten large lower, but when the two are similarly equipped the V8 is just a couple grand more. The V6 is far from weak, but the V8 no doubt sounds better and likely feels stronger--even in a heavy vehicle another 70 horsepower should have an impact. Those who appreciate this impact will find the extra cost quite reasonable.

Prices change frequently, and differences will vary based on feature level. To quickly generate these and other comparisons with the specific features you want, visit my Web site, www.truedelta.com. (It's the only site that provides true "apples-to-apples" price comparisons.)

TrueDelta's page for the Audi Q7:

http://www.truedelta.com/models/Q7.php

Last Words

Despite being late to the party, the Audi Q7 offers a unique enough mix of features to be worthy of attention. The third row is a definite weakness. A roofline curvier and four inches lower than that of the Benz has a price. But this is a much more satisfying vehicle to look at and to drive than the GL 450. Consider it an Infiniti FX45 with a more forgiving suspension, some additional bulk and body lean, and a rudimentary third row, and you wouldn't be too far off the mark.

Because I found the Q7 enjoyable to look at and drive, I have given it four stars. If roominess and utility is high on your list of priorities, feel free to knock off a star or two.

A note on Audi Q7 Reliability

I cannot practically cover reliability within the context of this review. However, many people are interested in such information, so I've started collecting my own data. Results, once they are available, will be posted to my site, www.truedelta.com, with updates every three months.

Unlike other sources, TrueDelta will clearly identify what difference it will make if you buy a Q7 rather than another vehicle by providing "times in the shop" and "days in the shop" stats (among others). You will be able to specify the number of years, annual miles, and types of repairs to include in Audi Q7 reliability comparisons.

Before I can report results, I need data on all cars--not just the Q7--from people like you. To encourage participation, those who help provide the data will receive free access to the site's reliability information. For non-participants, this access will cost $24.95.

For the details, and to sign up, visit www.truedelta.com.

A link to this website and alphabetized links to my other vehicle reviews can be found on my profile page.

If you're a member, and you want to receive an email when I post a new review, click here.

Some of my reviews of related vehicles:
Audi A6 review
BMW X5 review
Infiniti FX35 review
Mercedes GL-Class review
VW Touareg review
Volvo XC90 V8 review