2014 Audi Q7

2014 Audi Q7 Views

There’s much to love about the 2014 Audi Q7 and few if any failings; it does everything a three-row crossover vehicle should do, with great elegance and sophistication—and skips the faux-rugged nonsense.

2014 Audi Q7 Interior/Exterior

The look of the 2014 Audi Q7 is understated and sleek, particularly for a full-size crossover. For some, the big grille will spoil the look, echoing the chrome-heavy decorations of some American full-size SUVs, but for others, it gives the low-key Q7 some character.
The Q7 looks adult and sophisticated on the outside, without being stodgy, and crisp sheetmetal with smooth, taut surfaces combine well with one of the best sets of proportion in this class of vehicle. Whichever side you’re on regarding the grille, the rest of the Q7 is well-proportioned and tastefully sculpted, however. The silhouette is long and low, especially by comparison to some competing luxury crossovers, and the details at the front and rear are modern and high-tech looking. For 2014, the Q7 gets three new exterior colors, as well as new 19-inch wheels with full paint finish and chrome accents. A 20-inch package is newly available for Premium plus models; and on the top S-line model you get special 21-inch wheels, along with a special gloss black grille, matte black window surround, and black roofrails.
With rich leather, suede, and wood, the Q7 cabin is one of the best in this class–even considering the top luxury offerings–and it’s both warm and refined. Climate and audio controls are a bit busier than they are in Audi’s other models, but overall there’s a sleek, clean look to the controls. Color, texture, and materials quality are all top-notch, with plenty of available customization options.

2014 Audi Q7 Engine Performance

The 2014 Q7 is offered in three different flavors–each with a different engine and somewhat different performance credentials. All three share quattro all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, give the buyer a range of choice.
There are no letdowns for performance, no matter which engine you opt for. The 3.0T models get a 280-horsepower, 3.0-liter supercharged V-6; then TDI models get a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6; and at the top of the performance ladder is the S-Line, with its higher-output, 333-hp version of the 3.0-liter supercharged V-6.
Of those, the TDI is our pick, as it returns a solid 19/28 mpg city/highway and is just as quick as the base engine (0-60 in 7.7 seconds). It’s fun to drive, and just like the entire Q7 lineup, includes Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive. Tow ratings up to 6,600 pounds are available with the right equipment, making it easy to tow the boat or jet skis to the lake.
Upgrading to the 333-hp S line version offers improved performance, along with some upgraded equipment and appearance extras. Audi says the S line Q7 is good for a 6.9-second 0-60 mph run.
Whichever engine you choose, the Audi Q7 is surprisingly nimble for its size, driving more like a car than an SUV. Standard quattro all-wheel drive gives the Q7 good all-weather capability and dependable traction in general. The power steering is well-weighted and confident, with better feedback than you’ll find in some sedans.

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You’ll find that the cabin is more than warm and inviting; it lives up to first impressions and is extremely comfortable, with supportive front seats that are well-suited to longer-legged drivers. There’s plenty of thigh support and just the right of lateral support to hold you in place on backroads and freeway ramps. In the second row, adults will also be happy, and a large panoramic sunroof helps brighten it, keeping the rear quarters from feeling at all claustrophobic. It’s different in the third row, where smaller seats, as well as a bit less legroom and headroom (and tougher entry and exit) conspire to make this a kids-only zone. Cargo versatility is great, though, with the second and third rows folding easily down to open up 88 cubic feet of cargo space—easily accessed via a power tailgate. Our only disappointments here are that the cargo floor is relatively high, and total cargo space isn’t quite on par with expectations—if you’ve cross-shopped some other vehicles that are as big as the Q7 on the outside.
The 2014 Audi Q7 is a stoutly constructed utility vehicle with a reputation for safety and an extensive list of security extras and useful driver aids. The rather long list of advanced safety options include a lane-departure warning system, and a blind-spot warning system. We’ve found that the thick roof pillars can limit the view when parking, but overall visibility is quite good. This year Audi has added its ‘xenon plus’ headlamps to all Q7 models, as well as LED running lamps, and it says that the combination improved visibility.
You won’t mistake the Q7 for anything but a luxury vehicle in its base trim; but if you’re willing to pay a little more you can give this SUV a more high-end feature set that includes things like Bang & Olufsen audio system–complete with tweeters rising magically from the dash on startup. Also worth the premium is Audi’s internet-connected MMI interface with navigation. With it, there’s wifi hotspot capability, Google Earth maps, and a well-integrated point-of-interest interface.
Credit: Audi USA

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