2012 Audi Q7

One of the highest-rated vehicles ever tested by Consumer Reports, the 2012 Audi Q7 combines Audi engineering excellence with premium craftsmanship. This SUV is an automotive thrill on any road. The 2012 Audi Q7 offers more cargo space, more top-end luxury features, better gas mileage than competitive models like the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, and Acura MDX.

The 2012 Audi Q7 is available in 3 major trims: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. They vary a little depending on the engine choice you opt for. The base trim is the Premium which costs $46,250. It comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic wipers, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 11-speaker sound system, 6 CD changer, satellite radio, iPod interface, reclining 40/20/40 split second-row seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, etc. opting for the TDI version will fetch you 19-inch wheels and some exterior styling changes. 

The next trim in line is the Premium Plus which has a price of $46,250. This trim will get you a panoramic sunroof and a navigation system which are optional on the Premium, LED daytime running lights, automatic xenon headlights, power-folding side-view mirrors, memory setting for the driver's seat, Bose surround sound system, HD radio, front parking sensors, a rearview camera, etc. The additional packages like the Warm Weather package will unlock features like a deep-tinted panoramic sunroof, quad-zone automatic climate control, etc. 

The top-tier trim Prestige is available for $59,950 which is also called the S line. It gets a more powerful Supercharged V6 engine and some additional features to that of the Premium Plus. Those features are; special 20-inch wheels, blind-spot warning system, cornering lights, keyless entry, headlight washers, different exterior trim and styling, power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, ventilated front seats. The TDI Prestige gets a differently styled set of 20-inch wheels and misses out on a few features which are standard on the 3.0T S line.

We Recommend

The top-tier trim Prestige regardless of the fuel type is quite expensive and might be out of budget for most buyers who seek a 7-seater SUV. Hence we recommend the Premium Plus which sits between the base trim and the Prestige. It is much cheaper than the Prestige and also adds some cool features to the vast list of features that are standard.

The base engine under the hood of the 2012 Audi Q7 is a 3.0L Supercharged V6. It produces 280 hp @ 4920 RPM and has a peak torque of 295 lb-ft @ 2250 RPM. Another engine option is available on the Q7 that is reserved for the top-tier trim S line Prestige. It is also a V6 engine that manages to generate an impressive 333 hp @ 5500 RPM and has a max torque output of 325 lb-ft @ 2900 RPM. Both these engines are coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The power is delivered to all four wheels thanks to the legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive drivetrain.

The base engine is suitable for all-day driving as it is more composed than the engine standard on the Prestige. The more powerful engine is thrilling and it makes you feel like you’re driving a sports sedan instead of a huge 7-seater crossover SUV. Our experience with the SUV tells us that the diesel configuration performed better than the gas. The optional air suspension boosts the comfort level by a fair margin. However, the independent front and rear suspensions which are standard on the Q7 also provide a comfortable ride. It is quite unusual to experience a steering wheel as well-weighted as the Q7’s. The Q7 is one of the best-handling SUVs in the segment. 

The 2012 Acura MDX is the fastest to reach the 60mph mark and cover a quarter-mile despite having similar powered engines. The Acura MDX is also the cheapest car among the 4 cars mentioned above as it costs about $3,000 less than the Q7. All SUVs average similar figures in terms of power output, but the BMW packs the most torque. 

The Audi Q7 has an average fuel economy. The figures mentioned below are for the base Supercharged V6 engine but the more powerful V6 engine seen in the Prestige trims also provides the same fuel economy. It is not common to see big SUVs offer a good mileage. With that said, only the 2012 BMW X5 does better than the Q7.

Likewise, all the V6 engines that power each of the above SUVs are not very efficient, which results in poor fuel economy. In terms of fuel tank capacity, the Q7 outperforms each and every one of its rivals. It has a fuel tank capacity of 26.4 gallons which helps it achieve a commendable range. It provides a combined range of 475 miles. 

Audi has never disappointed its customers with its interiors. The Q7 follows the same reputation. The interior is well organized, good looking and the use of materials is of high quality. The dashboard and center console are sleek, modern, and sophisticated. The buttons and knobs are clearly labeled and have a nice touch to them. When it comes to seating comfort, there’s plenty of space in the front two rows. 

The third row of seats, however, feels a bit claustrophobic and cramped. It is best suited for kids as it offers only 29 inches of legroom. Leather upholstery is standard on all trims which adds to the comfort level. The base trim has 12-way power-adjustable front seats. As you move towards the higher trims, features like heated front seats, ventilated front seats, and memory settings for the driver’s seat are unlocked. All the trims have an add-on feature of heated front two rows of seats and quad-zone climate control.

As the 2012 Audi Q7 has a third row of seats unlike the 2012 BMW X5 or the Porsche Cayenne, it takes a beating in terms of cargo space. With around 11 cubic feet of space, it can’t compete with the likes of the X5 which offers more than 23 cubic feet of space. However, you can fold down the third row to expand the cargo space. Some of the standout features of the interior are:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Quad-zone automatic climate control (optional)
• Leather upholstery
• 12-way power-adjustable front seats
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Memory settings for the driver's seat
• Leather shift knob
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel (optional)

How intuitive is the 2012 Audi Q7’s infotainment unit?

The infotainment system in the Q7 is a 6-inch touchscreen display that is standard across the trims. It is equipped with some high-tech features. The screen can be manipulated by a big knob right alongside the screen which is also surrounded by buttons. Its user interface is much easier to use than the X5’s. This system is coupled to an 11-speaker audio system while the Prestige gets a 14-speaker Bose audio system. The S line Prestige also has the option to opt for a superior sound quality 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Some of the highlight features of the infotainment system are:

• HD Radio
• AM/FM Stereo
• 11-speaker audio system
• Navigation 
• Speed sensitive volume control
• USB and iPod Interface
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Rearview camera

The American market is full of big bulky and muscular-looking crossover SUVs. The 2012 Audi Q7 has a more stylish and sophisticated road presence despite its large exterior dimensions. The front fascia of the car is undoubtedly the most attractive profile of the SUV. It features a massive grille with vertical chrome slats with the iconic four rings of Audi boasting in the middle. It also features sleek-looking xenon automatic headlights and daytime running LED lights. A subtle fog light housing is seen low on the front bumper. The big hood which holds a powerful V6 underneath adds more definition to the SUV. 

The side profile is characterized by the sloping and dipping roofline and a comparatively low ground clearance of 8.1 inches. Depending on the trim and option the Q7 can be equipped with either 18,20 or 21-inch wheels. It also features body-colored power-folding heated side-view mirrors, anodized aluminum roof rails, and a panoramic sunroof. The rear end comprises a power liftgate, rear lip spoiler, modern-looking LED taillights and dual exhaust outlets.

As far as the exterior dimensions are concerned, the Q7 outperforms almost all of its rivals. It has the longest overall length and wheelbase and it is also the heaviest. With only 8.1 inches of ground clearance, it stands the lowest among its rivals. The SUV with the most ground clearance is the BMW X5. Some of the standout exterior features are:

• Automatic xenon headlights
• Daytime running LED lights
• Fog lights
• LED taillights
• Panoramic sunroof
• Body-colored, power-adjustable, power-folding heated side-view mirrors
• 18 or 20-inch wheels (optional 21-inch wheels)
• Power liftgate
• Anodized aluminum roof rails

The Audi Q7 is regarded as one of the safer SUVs on the market. Since both crash-testing agencies have changed their criteria, it is tough to achieve a perfect score. The NHSTA hasn’t tested the new Audi Q7 for the 2012 model year yet but the IIHS has given it a “Good” rating in almost all the categories. Due to its poor performance in the roof-strength test, it loses the “Top Safety Pick” award. To prevent the risk of a crash, Audi has fitted in some high-tech safety and driver-assist features in the Q7. Some of these features are:

• Blind-spot monitoring system
• Electronic stability control
• Traction control
• Brake assist
• Rearview camera
• Front parking sensors
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Electronic brake pressure distribution system

If you wish to move around your family in style and luxury, then we think you might like the Audi Q7. Other than luxury, it offers good performance, a plush interior with excellent seating comfort, and a plethora of high-tech features. It has one of the best handlings in the crossover SUV segment despite its bulky nature. One major downside is its cargo space which is the bare minimum. If you can overlook this aspect, then the Audi Q7 is a good way of spending your money.