Car Reviews: The 2007 Audi Q7

Once viewed as a sort of rarity on the roads, SUVs now seem to be everywhere. Indeed, nearly every major vehicle manufacturer seems to have already cemented their place in the world of SUV production with a flagship model. However, there is still something to be said for being fashionably late, and perhaps the new Audi Q7 is nothing short of what the SUV world has been waiting for. While the Q7 may not be the most groundbreaking vehicle ever to come intro production, it is certainly one of the most interesting SUVs to come out in recent years.

What makes the Q7 so unique? The answer begins as soon as one sets eyes upon the car. From the aggressive, yet refined Audi grill, to the low, sporty stance. The Q7 really seems to be something beyond a simple SUV, and this is definitely the standard to which Audi constructed it. The simple touches, such as body colored side moldings and the subtle overhang of the top of the car over the rear window, really do help to add a lot to the Q7, and contribute to an exterior appearance which is definitely above and beyond most SUVs that we see on the current market. The Q7 is sleek, modern and sporty, and this design even continues to the rear exhausts and slim tail lights on the back of the vehicle. Although some may have expected a slightly more conservative design from Audi, the Q7 really does look great, and is sure to turn heads and inspire complements.

The interior of the Q7 follows much of the same pattern as the outside, attempting to capture the "sporty yet refined" look that has become so popular. Although a little more work could have gone into the interior, for the most part, Audi succeeds, and the interior of the Q7 is a great effort. It is very difficult to remember that you are driving an SUV and not an A6 while sitting inside the Q7. The entire design seems to be much more car like, and there are plenty of great extras to be had inside. The leather seats are incredibly comfortable, and the quality of the interior materials is really top notch, although a little less plastic may have been a good idea. The panoramic roof and third row seating are really great touches, and do a lot to enhance the overall driving experience. The included back up camera and DVD navigation are definitely great features, and although some would say that they are not necessarily, they definitely add to the overall quality of the Q7 interior.

If the interior makes it difficult to remember that the Q7 is an SUV, perhaps driving it makes this problem even more complicated. The 4.2 liter V8 propels the Q7 from 0 to 60 in just under 7 seconds, and the adjustable air suspension makes sure that the Q7 lowers itself when using all of that power. Other features, such as EST, make sure that the Q7 is far more car like in terms of handling and performance than any SUV. The Q7 really is a blast to drive, it has plenty of power, grips the road, and adjusts the height of the car depending on the driving style and type of speed that the driver is moving. Overall, the Q7 is definitely one of the best driving new SUVs that one can encounter, and although it may not be cheap (base model starts around fifty thousand) for those who want the Q7, and don't mind paying the price, it really is worth every penny, especially if one is an Audi enthusiast.

The Q7 does have some problems, such as four star crash rating, and an average of about 14 miles per gallon. However, Audi has stated that the plan to fix the problems with the crash test in the future, and a hybrid model is also being introduced sometime in 2008. While the Q7 may not appeal to everyone, it is definitely a great effort from Audi to produce an SUV, and one can only hope that the company will continue to expand in this area in the future, after creating a product as great as the Q7.