Summary

The 2019 Audi Q7 is a German midsize three-row luxury SUV/Crossover, its in a class with the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X7, Lincoln Aviator, Volvo XC90, Infiniti QX60 and the Acura MDX. This SUV sits higher on the Audi SUV totem pole as only the Q8 and the electric e-tron model outrank the Q7. This model appeals to new car buyers interested in a luxury SUV/Crossover with three rows of seats, capable of seating up to seven passengers, two powertrain options and high quality interior design.

The 2019 Q7 is the part of the second Q7 generation introduced back in late 2016. This year navigation is standard on every new Q7. Also new on the Premium Plus trim for the 2019 model year is Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster, 360-degree top-view camera system, wireless phone charging and LED Headlights all standard. Another new for 2019 is all-season run-flat-tires for the optional 20-inch wheel package.

The Q7 is available in three different trim levels, Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. The base model price begins at $54,545 while the Prestige trim model starts at $69,695, this includes the destination fee before adding options and packages.

Exterior

The Q7 is a large SUV/Crossover however the Q7's design absolutely meshes with Audi trademark styling. It is definitely not as large as some of its competitors and benefits from a lower roof line making loading or removing from the available roof rails easier.

The large aggressive Single frame grille stands out in the styling department yet maintains its classic Audi appearance. This design is subtle and conservative and does a great job of disguising its large presence.

Interior Quality and Comfort

The standard interior of the Q7 is leather, Audi also offers Valcona leather seats and Alcantara headliner available in the Luxury package option. Other standard features include a panoramic sunroof with shade, power tilt and silde. While minimalist the style and build quality of the this top-notch interior is attractive, practically in a class of its own and in some cases better than the much more expensive competition.

Every button and knob controls are all well within reach of the driver while the 3-spoke steering wheel has easily legible controls. The MMI all-in-touch pad allows drivers to write entries into the system rather than scrolling through letters. The heads up display while only available on the Prestige trim model projects customizable driving information and warnings on to the windshield. All the controls and buttons which have haptic feedback really add to the high-end feel of this interior.

Seating on Audi's Flagship SUV/Crossover is just as comfortable as the A8 if not better. The second row seats are as comfortable for adults as the front, however the third row is much more suitable for smaller passengers and could easily be designated for children only. Heated front seats are standard on all Q7's while heated rear seats are optional. The Premium Plus trim level offers ventilated front seats optional. The Prestige trim offers contour front seats with ventilation and a massage feature.

All rear five seats of the Q7 are equipped with easily to access LATCH anchors.

Utility and Practicality

The cargo space in the Q7 is limited as is expected with a luxury SUV/Crossover with third row seating. Powered 50/50 third row seats folded and the 35/30/35 second row seats folded flat the Q7 allows for 71.6 cubic feet of cargo space. With both the second and third row seats in use the rear cargo space shrinks to 14.8 cubic feet, this space is below the class average. The programable power hands-free tailgate is standard on the base model and the lower floor height make for easy loading and unloading.

Towing capabilities vary on the Q7 depending on which powertrain option you choose. The 2.0 liter turbo four cylinder engine is capable of towing 4,400 pounds. The 3.0 liter supercharged V6 engine is capable of towing 7,700 pounds.

Technology and Infotainment

The Q7 has a high-tech feel and is loaded with cool standard features like the MMI all-in-touch interface, which will easily be in the running for the most user-friendly inerfaces. It enables the user to draw the entries on a touch-pad rather than scrolling back and forth through the alphabet as most vehicle interfaces require. The main screen which sits on top of the dashboard is 8.3 inches.

Audi Virtual Cockpit available on the Premium Plus trim level is not your traditional instrument cluster, it is an upgraded 12.3-inch digital screen which can display a standard classic instrument panel with tachometer and speedometer, or a custom layout designed by the owner which can display full screen navigation, turn-by-turn direction and all other infotainment options with a minimized tach and speeometer. Navigation is standard on all Q7's but only with the Virtual Cockpit can you access and view navigation, audio, google earth imagery and phone options on the fully customizable instrument gauge cluster.

Standard on all Q7's is Audi Smart Phone Interface with Apple CarPlay and Google's Android Auto which enables access to your smartphone navigation, select third-party applications which can be controlled via the MMI interface, voice control system or steering wheel controls.

With a subscription you can equip your Q7 with Google earth imagery, traffic info and weather conditions. New owners receive a 6-month trial of Audi Connect PRIME, Wi-Fi hotspot and in-vehicle 4G LTE.

The Q7 base model includes a 10-speaker audio system with a single disc CD player and MP3 playback. The Premium Plus trim upgrades the sound system to a BOSE 19-speaker 3D Surround Sound, 15-channel amp and 558 watts of power. Optional only on the Prestige trim is a 3D advanced sound system with 23-speakers, 23-channel BeoCore amp with 1,920 watts by Bang & Olufsen.

Safety and Driving Assistance

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Q7 good markings in every category, headlights received a marginal rating for but specifies only on certain trims/options. In the department of crash avoidance and mitigation specifically front crash prevention the IIHS gave the Q7 a superior rating. This is largely in part to Audi equipping all Q7's with Audi pre sense front and pre sense basic. This enables the Q7 to recognize vehicles and pedestrians in front of the vehicle and initiate emergency braking.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website the Audi Q7 received overall 5 stars out of 5 stars. In frontal crash the Q7 received 4 out of 5 stars. In side crash rating the Q7 received 5 out of 5 stars. In the rollover rating the Q7 received a 4 out of 5 stars.

As mentioned before the Q7 comes standard with Audi pre sense front which can detect vehicles at speeds up to 52 mph, the system will warn the driver of collision and begin emergency braking, this system can also stop the vehicle st speeds under 25 mph.

Audi pre sense basic does the work to minimize damage during a collision by beginning to close the widows and sunroof as well as begin to pre-tension the front seat belts. On Q7 Premium Plus trim models Audi pre sense rear is standard, this technology monitors and calculates the distance of following vehicles. If an imminent collision is detected, just like pre sense basic, the Q7 will initiate a collision warning and begin to close windows and sunroof while also activating pre-tensioning of the front seat belts.

The Q7 is equipped with several standard and optional driver assistance safety features such as Audi active lane assist, which uses a camera mounted in front of the rear view mirror, the camera and its system monitors lane markings and can vibrate the steering wheel gently if the system notices the vehicle is nearing the edge of the lane without using the turn signal.

Collision avoidance assist helps the driver by providing steering guidance during sharp avoidance maneuvers to avoid a potential accident. Rear cross traffic assist monitors the sides and the rear of the vehicle while reversing out of a parking space, if it detects a possible collision it can issue a warning tone and a brake jolt to alert the driver to stop the vehicle.

Turn assist constantly monitors front traffic using radar sensors. The system can intervene if the driver attempts to cross traffic at a low speed and detects there is a hazard.

Audi adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist allows the driver to set a preset distance from the vehicle in front and will apply the brake and accelerate to maintain the preset distance.

Night vision assist uses infrared and thermal technology to see further down the road in low-light conditions up to 300 ft.

Audi park steering assist uses ultrasonic sensors all around the vehicle, all that is needed from the driver is to apply the brake and or accelerate when necessary.

Driving Experience

The Q7 is available in two powertrains the first is the Premium 45 TFSI 2.0T Quattro, its a 2.0 liter turbo-charged four-cylinder engine that produces 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. This motor is standard on both the Premium and Premium Plus models, with the option of upgrading to the 3.0 liter supercharged V6 engine.

The Premium 55 TFSI 3.0 Quattro is a 3.0 liter supercharged six-cylinder engine which cranks out 329 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. This motor is available on both the Premium and Premium Plus trim and equipped standard on the Prestige trim model.

Acceleration on the 3.0 liter V6 engine is powerful, smooth and quiet, with more than enough power to pass and merge.

Both available motors are paired with a Tiptronic eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. Reviewers from Edmunds.com state the transmission always seems to be in the right gear at the right time and shifts are seamless and appears to be one of the best in the class.

Handling is agile and the ride is comfortable regardless of your preference for comfort or more of a firm sportier ride. The Q7 base suspension does a great job of minimizing road imperfections, if equipped with the optional adaptive chassis package only available on the Prestige trim model you gain adaptive air suspension system and four-wheel steering which puts the Q7 in the realm of a flagship sedan ride comfort.

Audi drive select allows the driver to change between seven modes which adjust steering effort, transmission shifts, throttle response and ride height when equipped the adaptive air suspension.

Equipped with either suspension the reflex and agility of the Q7 is not compromised.

The Q7 is quiet, plain and simple, road noise and wind are greatly diminished despite speed or road conditions.

Braking builds confidence as it remains smooth and controllable under heavy braking and while coming to a complete stop from 60mph at 112 feet, the Q7 had very little nose dive.

If off-road driving is necessary the adaptive air suspension set to lift/offroad can raise the vehicle and additional two inches for better clearance.

Visibility is good in the Q7 and enhanced with 360-degree top-view camera system.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel economy on both the 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbo and the 3.0 liter supercharged V6 motor obtain an EPA estimated 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway for a combined total of 21 mpg city/highway. Both powertrains require premium unleaded gasoline.

Pricing and Value

The Premium base model Q7 with standard 2.0 liter turbo four-cylinder motor before additional packages or options begins at $54,545 including the $995 destination fee.

The Premium Plus model with the standard 2.0 liter turbo four-cylinder motor which adds the advanced key, MMI Navigation Plus package, Audi side assist with pre sense rear, rear cross traffic assist, vehicle exit assist, LED interior lighting package, electric tilt/telescoping steering column, 3D BOSE surround sound system, Audi Virtual Cockpit, top-view camera system, Audi phone box with wireless charging and signal booster starts at $57,895 including destination before additional packages or options.

The Prestige model with the standard 3.0 liter supercharged V6 motor, 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, LED Interior Lighting Plus package, Warm Weather package that includes four zone climate control, front seat ventilation, rear shades for doors and tailgate, Head-up display, Driver assistance package which includes Active lane assist, Park steering assist, Traffic sign recognition, Full LED headlights starts at $69,695 including destination before additional options and packages.

Considering the competition the Audi Q7 is a great value because it has an array of standard, technology and safety features that are costly additional options on other competitor vehicles.

More Photos

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