2019 Audi Q7

For the year 2019, the Q7 is available in 3 trim levels, namely Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, and can be had in 9 configurations. It is also available in 2 engine options that can be had depending on the trim. Starting at $53,550, 2019 Q7 rivals the likes of 2019 BMW X5,2019 Volvo XC90, and 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Continue with the article to know how it performs in front of other giants in the segment.

The 2019 Audi Q7 has an impressive lineup including 3 main trims, which are Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The Premium trim is the entry-level trim priced at $53,550. For an entry-level car, it is well-equipped. Some of the features you’ll find on it are 18-inch Aluminium wheels, Xenon headlights and LED DRLs, Hands-free power liftgate, Sunroof, Parking sensors, fog lights, Dual-zone automatic climate control, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, and Leather-wrapped steering wheel to name a few. 

The Premium Plus adds a lot more to this vast list which will cost you a total of $57,045. It unlocks features like a 10-speaker Bose audio system, LED headlights, Tri-zone automatic climate control, heated power-adjustable front seats with driver memory settings, leather upholstered seats, Wireless smartphone charging pad, and Audi’s Virtual cockpit all-digital instrument panel. All the trims are now equipped with Navigation and Convenience packages that add driver aids like a blind-spot monitoring system and a rear cross-traffic warning system.

The Prestige is the top-tier trim for the 2019 Audi Q7. This will cost you a comparatively more expensive $68,845. It is only equipped with the more powerful supercharged V6 engine as standard. For the price tag, you’ll get all the features that are standard in the other 2 trims and some additional features as well. It is equipped with 20-inch wheels, power-closing doors, and a head-up display. Several additional packages are reserved only for the Prestige trim. The Luxury package will add ventilated massaging seats with upgraded leather upholstery. The Adaptive Chassis package will add adaptive air suspension and four-wheel steering. The Interior and Exterior Design package will add 21 or 22-inch wheels, Bang & Olufsen audio system, night vision assist, etc.

Which trim should you buy?

We feel that the Premium Plus priced at $57,045 hits the sweet spot in terms of price and the huge list of features available on it. If you have a wider budget, then we also recommend you opt for the more powerful supercharged V6 engine (+$6,500) to add a bit more spice and fun to the driving experience.

The lower two trims, Premium and Premium Plus have a 2.0L inter-cooled turbocharged inline-4 engine as standard. An extra $6,500 will fetch you a 3.0L supercharged V6, which is standard on the top-tier Prestige trim. The figures on the former 2.0L engine are 248 hp at 5,000 and max torque of 273 lb-ft at 1,600 RPM. The V6 produces some impressive figures itself. It generates 329 hp at 5300 RPM and 325 lb-ft at 2900 RPM.

The V6 is quicker and more capable than the 2.0L Inline-4. The standard 2.0L engine is better in terms of fuel economy but barely. It lacks the enthusiasm which the V6 offers. Both engines are equipped with a Quattro AWD drivetrain and 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission is responsive, but it suits the V6 engine. The V6 only takes 5.5 seconds, while the 2.0L engine takes 6.6 seconds.

A variety of engines are seen in this segment, from 2.0L Intercooled turbo inline-4s to 3.0L V6 as standard engines. Among the 4 SUVs mentioned above, the 2019 BMW X5 has the best performance figures, and it is also the quickest to 60 mph and does a quarter-mile in just under 14 seconds. The Volvo XC90 comes with a twin-charged engine which helps generate more power as well as helps with fuel efficiency.

How well does the 2019 Audi Q7 handle?

The 2019 Audi Q7 is a fairly heavy car, weighing over 4,700 pounds, but that doesn’t affect the way it handles. The suspension plays a huge role in this. The standard suspension, which is multi-link type both in the front and rear, does a phenomenal job of providing a comfortable ride. The optional air suspension, however, is just stupendous and gives you the feeling of floating in the clouds.

The wheels also play an important role in terms of handling. The standard 18-inch wheels are somehow stiffer than the 20-inch ones. The Drive Select system in the 2019 Audi Q7 improves the throttle response, reduces steering effort, and can also manipulate the ride height depending on the drive mode you select. Inside the cabin, the luscious leather upholstered seats add more to the relaxing driving experience.

Braking Performance

The braking capabilities of the 2019 Q7 are quite remarkable. With big brake rotors both in the front and rear which are best in class and its intelligent suspension working in harmony gives you enough confidence while braking in harsh conditions. The front brake rotor is 14.8 inches and the rear rotor is 13.8 inches, both bigger than many of its competitors. This also helps the Q7 to stop at a distance of 117 feet only.

Among the 2019 Audi Q7’s rivals, the 2019 BMW X5 weighs the most, and it also has the biggest sized brake rotors. With 15-inch front brake rotors and 14.4-inch rear brake rotors, it stands out from the lot. It is impressive to see that the Q7, even though it is the heaviest, stops quicker than most. The Volvo XC90 takes the most distance of 121 feet to reach a halt from 60 mph.

Regardless of the engine you have under the hood, the 2019 Audi Q7 gives more than satisfactory fuel economy. The numbers mentioned in the table below are for the standard 3.0L supercharged V6 engine. The smaller 2.0L inline-4 surprisingly produces similar numbers, instantly becoming the best choice to get. The SUV comes with a fuel tank capacity of 22.5 cubic feet, resulting in a combined range of 495 miles.

The 2019 XC90 is also fitted with a 2.0L twin-charged inline-4 engine, but it does significantly better than the Q7. With a combined fuel economy of 24 mpg, it is the most economical SUV. As far as the fuel tank capacity is considered, the 2019 Q7 outperforms most of its competition with a 22.5-gallon tank. However, the best-in-class performer is the 2019 GLE-Class, which has a massive 24.6-gallon tank, which helps it to give the best range, in spite of having the least fuel economy.

The interior of the 2019 Audi Q7 is a special place to be. It is a subtle combination of luxurious and contemporary design along with a huge list of high-tech features. Regardless of the trim, the Q7 features leather upholstered seats, genuine wood/metal accents, and a fluidic dashboard design. A floating touchscreen display, which is 7.0-inch in the Premium and 8.3-inch in the higher trims, is fitted as the infotainment system. The Premium Plus and Prestige trims offer a 12.3 Virtual Cockpit display, which is not to be missed if you’re willing to buy the Q7.

The seating comfort is exceptional. The Premium Plus offers heated functionality, whereas an add-on package on the Prestige trim offers heated, ventilated, and massaging seats. The seats are 8-way power-adjustable, and higher trims offer memory settings for the driver seat as well. Just like any other 7-seater SUV, the 3rd row of seats of the 2019 Q7 compromises on space. The front two rows of seats, however, are spacious and offer plenty of headroom and legroom.

Out of the 4 cars mentioned, the 2019 X5 and the 2019 GLE-Class have a 5-seater capacity while others are 7-seaters. This gives the BMW and the Merc an advantage in terms of cargo space. The 2019 GLE-Class has the best cargo space with over 38 cu-ft. Moreover, Audi and Merc offer balanced front and rear row space. The Volvo XC90 offers the least cargo capacity of 12.6 cubic feet. Standout interior features include:

• Leather upholstered seats
• 8-way power-adjustable front seats
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Genuine wood/metal inserts
• Valcona leather upholstery
• Massaging front seats
• Heated rear seats
• Heated steering wheel

What’s there to keep you entertained?

A 7.0-inch floating touchscreen display is the standard infotainment system on the 2019 Audi Q7. Both Premium Plus and Prestige trims get an 8.3-inch touchscreen display. Both systems are highly intelligent, responsive, have an excellent high-resolution display, and have a user-friendly interface and functions. The buttons and knobs have a premium touch to them and all are labeled well.

Every Q7 is equipped with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and 2 USB ports. A secondary infotainment screen can be added in the Premium Plus and Prestige trim, which is a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display. The base Premium trim gets a 10-speaker Bose audio system, whereas the Prestige trim gets a ridiculous 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system which has crystal clear sound clarity. A wireless smartphone charging pad is also seen in Premium Plus and Prestige trims, adding to the high-tech features already available. Standout infotainment features include:

• 10-speaker Bose audio system
• Navigation
• AM/FM/HD Radio
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Handwriting recognition
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display

Most of the architecture of the 2019 Q7 involves the use of Aluminium, which results in cutting down weight. The exterior design features some basic geometrical shapes but with modern styling and sporty looks. The front fascia includes a massive trapezoidal grille with horizontal chrome slots, and of course the iconic 4 rings of Audi, proudly sitting in the middle of it. You also get perfectly sized rectangular headlights which are Xenon on the Premium with LED DRLs and full LED headlights on Premium Plus and Prestige trims. Moreover, big fog light housing with chrome inserts falls right beneath the headlight housing and a big hood finishes off the front look of the car.

The side profile of the Q7 features a couple of body lines, 18-inch multi-spoke aluminum wheels, and a class-leading ground clearance of 9.4 inches. Power mirrors, roof rails, and a sunroof are all standard offerings on the 2019 Q7. The rear fascia continues the rectangular theme lamps which are seen in the front. LED tail lights, a rear lip spoiler, rear fog lamps, and dual chrome-tipped exhausts characterize the rear fascia of the car. The crossover weighs 4,729 lbs and stands 9.4 inches above the ground.

The 2019 Volvo XC90 and 2019 Audi Q7 share the same class-leading ground clearance of 9.4 inches, which gives them a more SUV persona. The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class has the lowest ground clearance and also has the shortest wheelbase. When comparing the curb weight, the BMW X5 is the heaviest option in the competition. Standout exterior features include:

• Auto On/Off Projector-beam Daytime running LED headlights
• LED brake lights
• 18-inch aluminum wheels
• Front and rear log lamps
• Lip spoiler
• Sunroof
• Hands-free Power liftgate

The 2019 Audi Q7 is now better equipped with abundant driver aids and safety features. It has hence done well in the crash test analysis. The NHTSA has given it a full 5-star rating. However, due to its “Marginal” score for headlamps, it misses out on the “Top Safety Pick” of the IIHS. Other than that, it earned “Good” on the rest of the tests. Some of the standard safety features on the 2019 Audi Q7 are:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Forward collision warning system
• Blind-spot monitoring system
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• 360-degree surround-view camera system (standard on Premium Plus and Prestige only)
• Lane departure system with lane keep assist (Add-on package)
• Adaptive cruise control (Add-on package)
• Automatic high-beam headlights (Add-on package)
• Traffic sign recognition system (Add-on package)

2019 Audi Q7 vs 2019 BMW X5

The 2019 BMW X5 is the Q7’s closest rival in spite of offering 5 seats. The X5 is an excellent all-around performer, which is just a few thousand dollars more expensive than the Audi. The BMW also offers a more powerful 4.0L twin-turbo V8 engine in higher trims. It performs better than the Q7 in terms of powertrain figures, braking performance, cargo capacity, and also has a slightly better fuel economy. If it were up to us to choose between the two German giants, we’d go for the X5.

2019 Audi Q7 vs 2019 Volvo XC90

The 2019 Volvo XC90 is one of the best cars Volvo has produced. It offers the same 2.0L engine as the 2019 Q7 in the base trim, delivering similar performance figures at a significantly cheaper price tag. The difference in the price tag is mostly because of the brand image Audi has. Brand image is something that buyers would consider as a point of difference between the two cars, hence making the 2019 Q7 their choice.

2019 Audi Q7 vs 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class offers an AMG performance version as well as a hybrid version. So there are better options to choose from, but its top-tier trims are much pricier than the Q7. The hybrid option is only a little bit more fuel-efficient than the standard 3.0L engine. Another point of difference is the row of seats. The third row is absent in the Merc and offers best in class cargo space in return. Even though it is a better performing car than the Q7, we still think that Audi’s ride quality and handling have the upper hand in this comparison.

The 2019 Audi Q7 is not built as a serious off-roader, but it is definitely one of the best 7-seater crossovers to carry your family anywhere. It delivers a combined package of luxury, performance, and refinement at a price tag worth paying for. The Q7 beats most of its competitors in many aspects, especially in interior quality and comfort. If you want to experience the feeling of gliding over the clouds without grabbing too much attention on-road, the 2019 Q7 is without a doubt the car for you.