2019 Audi Q7

The 2019 Audi Q7 is not an entry level vehicle though, and you’d be wrong to call it one. It used to be Audi’s flagship SUV before the Q8 barged in guns blazing, and it still is one of Audi’s finest vehicles on sale internationally. The Q7 feels more like a lesson in luxury than a simple car. The new model is more of an improvement on the 2018 Audi Q7 rather than a new car, which is fine since the 2018 model was a great car. The car got a facelift in 2017, and the design has been carried forward for this year as well.

Audi offers the Q7in 3 trim options, with plenty of equipment on the base model and better equipment in its consecutive trim.

Trim	Premium	Premium Plus	Prestige
MSRP 45 TFSI (2.0T)	$53,550	$56,900	-
MSRP 55 TFSI (3.0T)	$59,950	$63,300	$72,050
Key Features	Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense front	3D Bose Surround Sound System	20-inch 10-spoke-star design gray/polished-finish wheels
	MMI Navigation plus with MMI all-in-touch	Audi virtual cockpit	LED Interior lighting plus package
	Panoramic sunroof with sunshade, power tilt and slide features	Audi side assist with Audi pre sense rear (includes rear cross traffic assist and vehicle exist assist)	Warm Weather package (four zone climate control, front seat ventilation, rear sunshades for doors and tailgate.
	Audi advanced key (keyless start) with handsfree tailgate open/close	Top view camera system	Head-up display
	Power folding 3rd row	Audi phone box with wireless charging and signal booster	Driver Assistance package (ACC, Active lane assist, Park steering assist, High-beam assistant, Traffic sign recognition)

 

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The base ‘Premium’ trim is a great value for money proposition. The subsequent trims offer more luxury, but the steep rise in price is very hard to justify.

The first-gen Audi Q7 was already among the most fun-to-drive 3-row s available, and its dynamics and driving enjoyment have only gotten better with this new, 2nd-gen model-Kelly Blue Book

Engine and Transmission

Engine options on the 2019 Audi Q7 include a 2-liter turbocharged inline-4, and a larger 3-liter turbo V6. Horsepower figures are 248 HP on the 2-liter and 329 HP on the 3-liter. The smaller engine prides itself on its fuel economy, while the larger one finds its strength in performance.

Transmission duties are handled by 8-speed Tiptronic transmission coupled with the Audi’s brilliant quattro all-wheel drive for both the engines.

Models	Audi Q7 Premium 45 TFSI	Audi Q7 Premium 55 TFSI	BMW X7	Lexus LX 570 two-row	Lexus GX 460	Mercedes GLS 450 4Matic	Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum
MSRP	$53,550	$59,950	$73,900	$87,375	$53,380	$71,145	$56,695
Engine	2.0L I-4 Turbocharged	3.0L V6 Turbocharged	3.0L I-6 Turbo	5.7L V8	4.6L V8	3.0L V6 Twin Turbo	2.0L I-4 Turbo/Supercharger
Transmission	8 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic	6 Speed Automatic	9 Speed Automatic	8 Speed Automatic
Horsepower	248 hp@ 5500rpm	329 hp@ 5500rpm	335 hp@ 5500rpm	383 hp@ 5600rpm	301 hp@ 5500rpm	362 hp@ 5500rpm	316 hp@ 5700rpm
Torque	273 ft-lbs.@ 2900rpm	325 ft-lbs.@ 2900rpm	330 ft-lbs.@ 1500rpm	403 ft-lbs.@ 3600rpm	329 ft-lbs.@ 3500rpm	369 ft-lbs.@ 1800rpm	295 ft-lbs.@ 2200rpm

Among the large luxury SUV segment, you get a diverse set of engines, from 2 liter to 5.7, from inline 4s to mighty V8s. Lexus fits its cars with large engines, and have a lot of torque and towing capacity. BMW X7 is the most expensive here, even in its base variant, which comes with a 3-liter turbocharged inline-6. Apart from the Audi, the only other car to sport a 2-liter inline-4 is the Volvo XC90.

Acceleration

Acceleration in an SUV is usually not a hair-raising phenomenon. Put your foot hard down, and the speed starts to build slowly but eventually. 60 MPH comes up in a relaxed 7 seconds, while the quarter mile takes 15.4 seconds. For a near 2-and-a-half-ton vehicle, this are performance figures are understandable.

The V6 version has a much better power output, and thus it has a much better acceleration. It posts a sub 6 second run to 60 MPH, near 14 second run to a quarter mile. Impressive, right?

Models	Audi Q7 Premium 45 TFSI	Audi Q7 Premium 55 TFSI	BMW X7	Lexus LX 570 two-row	Lexus GX 460	Mercedes GLS 450 4Matic	Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum
0-60 MPH	7.1 sec	5.4 sec	6.3 sec	7.3 sec	7.8 sec	6.5 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter mile	15.4	14.1	14.7 sec	15.6 sec	15.8 sec	N/A	15.1 sec
Engine	2.0L I-4 Turbo	3.0L V6 Turbo	3.0L I-6 Turbo	5.7L V8	4.6L V8	3.0L V6 Twin Turbo	2.0L i4 Turbo/Supercharger
Emission (Tons/yr. of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.4	N/A	N/A	N/A	11.1	9.8	N/A

Braking

Being a primarily city car, Audi Q7 needs to have better braking than acceleration. Thankfully, it gets confidence instilling braking capabilities. The pedal feel is firm and the brakes are responsive, and the nosedive is kept in control even during panic stops. For anyone who wants to push the Q7 to the limit of its capabilities, this is quite reassuring. Panic stop from 70 mph required just 166 feet, which is surprisingly low for a vehicle this size.

Model	Audi Q7	BMW X7	Lexus LX 570 two-row	Lexus GX 460	Mercedes GLS 450 4Matic	Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum
Brake Front (in.)	14.8	N/A	13.9	13.3	13.8	13.2
Brake Rear (in.)	13.8	N/A	13.6	12.3	13.6	12.1
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4927	6989	5800	5130	5335	4771
60-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	N/A	N/A	184	N/A	113

Ride and Handling

The 2019 Q7 is a heavy car, pushing close to 4,500 pounds in the base variant. Still, the car feels sure footed in the corners, especially if you equip the optional performance tires with the 21-inch wheels. The optional air suspension helps the ride be firm and controllable at all speeds. The four-wheel steering paired with the brilliant Quattro system add agility to this hefty beast.

Fuel economy of the 2019 Audi Q7 is quite impressive, regardless of the engine. Audi claims 19 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway, for both the inline-4 and the V6. No matter your choice of engine, fuel economy for this SUV will have you smiling at the fuel pumps.

Model	Audi Q7	BMW X7	Lexus LX 570 two-row	Lexus GX 460	Mercedes GLS 450 4Matic	Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum
MPG (city)	19	N/A	13	15	16	19
MPG (highway)	25	N/A	18	18	22	26
MPG (combined)	21	N/A	15	16	18	22
Range (miles) (city/highway)	428/563	N/A	320/443	345/414	422/581	357/489
Tank Capacity (gal)	22.5	21.9	24.6	23.0	26.4	18.8

With its minimalist, contemporary design matched with loads of technology and excellent comfort and build quality, the Q7's cabin is a special place-Car and Driver

Seating and Comfort

German cars are known for the luxury and comfort they offer, and Audi ensures that their Q7 stays true to the stereotype. Its cabin comes standard with leather upholstery, much like the more premium A8. The controls are logically placed, and after an initial learning curve are pretty easy to understand.

This generation of Q7 is dimensionally smaller than the previous gen, but you’d be hard pressed to notice that on the inside. This lovely Audi is a seven-seater SUV, although the third-row seats are a little disappointing. Even though the last row is a little cramped for full-sized adults, the front two rows provide exceptional room and comfort. The driver and front passenger get memory seats as standard on all trims.

Model	Audi Q7	BMW X7	Lexus LX 570 two-row	Lexus GX 460	Mercedes GLS 450 4Matic	Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum
Passenger capacity	7	7	5	7	7	7
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.9/59.5/41.7	41.9/60/39.8	38.3/61.0/42.9	38.0/55.4/41.7	41.2/58.5/40.3	38.9/57.7/40.9
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.8/58.5/38.8	39.9/58.1/37.6	38.9/59.1/34.4	40.4/57.3/34.1	40.0/58.3/38.5	38.5/56.5/37.0

Infotainment

The 2019 Audi Q7 has an 8.3-inch infotainment display as standard, and an optional 12.3-inch screen as well. Other features include:

• Bluetooth
• two USB ports
• satellite radio
• navigation
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Apart from these features, you get Audi’s MMi touch operated system. It gets handwriting recognition, although its not very easy or fluid to operate.

Cargo

The third row, however cramped it may be, does intrude into the trunk’s cargo space. The Audi struggles to fit in large luggage.

Model	Audi Q7	BMW X7	Lexus LX 570 two-row	Lexus GX 460	Mercedes GLS 450 4Matic	Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	14.8	48.6	9.1	11.6	16.0	15.8

The 2019 Audi Q7 is perhaps the most German of SUVs: calculated and business-like on the outside, but sumptuous and functional within. We’ve awarded 7 out of 10 points for looks, amongst the best in its competitive set.-The Car Connection

Weight and Dimensions

Q7 wears an aluminum architecture, which sheds hundreds of pounds from Audi’s weight. This improves handling and engine capabilities. Although Q7 continues to be heavier than many of its competitors, it suffices to say that this is because of premium features, rather than sheer body weight.

The Q7 looks rather sleek from the rear, an effect further highlighted by its double arrow designed taillights. The dual horizontal exhausts inside a silver diffuser add to a powerful look. On the top, there are silver roof rails, which turn to black in the black optic package.

Model	Audi Q7	BMW X7	Lexus LX 570 two-row	Lexus GX 460	Mercedes GLS 450 4Matic	Volvo XC90 T6 Momentum
Curb weight (lbs.)	4927	6989	5800	5130	5335	4771
Length(in)	199.6	203.3	200.0	192.1	202.0	194.9
Width(in)	77.5	78.7	78.0	74.2	76.1	79.1
Height(in)	68.5	71.1	75.2	74.2	72.8	69.9
Ground clearance (in)	N/A	8.7	8.9	8.1	8.5	9.4
Wheelbase (in)	117.9	122.2	112.2	109.8	121.1	117.5
Track width (in) F/R	66.1/66.6	66.3/67.1	64.8/64.6	62.4/62.4	65.2/65.9	65.7/65.8

Design and styling

The 2019 model carries the same look as the 2017 Audi Q7, largely unchanged for the current model. The standard headlights on the base trim is xenon HID with LED DRLs. The higher trims get full LED headlamps, which look absolutely lovely. Audi has a massive 8.1 inches above the ground, and can be raised to 9.6 inches if you you opt for the air suspension. The proportions make this already big SUV look even bigger, and the road presence on this is imposing.

The 2019 Q7 offers plenty of safety features as well:

• Driver Air Bag
• Passenger Air Bag
• Front Head Air Bag
• Rear Head Air Bag
• Front Side Air Bag
• Rear Side Air Bag
• 4-Wheel ABS
• 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
• Brake Assist
• Electronic Stability Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Child Safety Locks
• Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors
• Traction Control
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Auto-Leveling Headlights
• Cross-Traffic Alert

Audi Q7 vs BMW X7

BMW’s new addition to the SUV lineup is their biggest yet, and looks as purposeful as it behaves on road. Like every other BMW, driver involvement is strong with this one. It is also significantly larger than the X5, which is good for the space inside. It is also an absolutely new car, as opposed to the ongoing Q7.

If you are looking for sheer snob value, well, there is nothing better than the Beemer right now. If you want some tried and tested reliability though, the Q7 is the better choice. The X7 needs to be on the roads for a few months before all the post production issues are revealed and resolved.

Audi Q7 vs Mercedes Benz GLS

Mercedes built the GLS as a soft roader, but that doesn’t mean it loses any abilities off the tarmac. It is an extremely capable SUV, with plenty of space inside. It also offers one of the best Mercedes cabins in the entire lineup, bettered only by the S-class. If price isn’t as issue, you should definitely go for the Merc.

If you would like to save a few grand though, have the Audi instead. It offers almost the same amount of luxury, but in a much more affordable package.

Audi Q7 vs Volvo XC90

The Volvo makes a brilliant case for itself with the XC90 SUV, and is also surprisingly cheap as compared to the Audi. The engine is small, though the specifications aren’t. The top of the line gasoline XC90 is still comparable to the cheapest Q7 available, and offers a lot more bang for the buck as well. The only clincher is the brand value, where Audi, BMW, and Mercedes will always be ahead of the rest.

In the end, Audi’s largest SUV is quite a simple car, offering the best of luxuries in the most premium of packages. It isn’t insanely expensive, which is a huge point in its favor, but it isn’t too distinctive, which is a big con. If you want an understated SUV that doesn’t grab too much attention while it glides around town, well, no car does it better.