When we first test drove the Audi Q7 back in November last year, we were impressed by its combination of a classy and spacious interior, capable performance and comfortable ride. As the first model in the Volkswagen Group to use the Modular Longitudinal Matrix Evo (MLB 2/MLBevo) platform, as well as being the flagship Q model that shows what future Q models will look like, it was a thoroughly impressive showing.
Now, Audi is offering the Q7 with a 2.0-litre TFSI engine for the first time. It sports the same body as the 3.0-litre variant, but with a rather different heart.
Up close and Personal
On first glance, the 2.0-litre Q7 possesses the same sharp design cues and good looks as its heartier brethren that impressed us the first time round. The bold Singleframe grille, 'quattro arches' constituting the crisp lines cutting above the wheel arches and into the beltline, as well as the flowing roof line, all add up to disguise the car's size. It manages to look distinctly more estate-like than SUV-like.
Inside, the car retains all of the quality, spaciousness and comfort of its bigger brother. The power-operated third row seats are also offered as standard.
Speaking of standard, it is packed to the brim with standard features, including the ultra-slim MMI screen, the Virtual Cockpit, as well as an MMI touchpad with haptic feedback and programmable buttons that make navigating the infotainment system a breeze.
Now, Audi is offering the Q7 with a 2.0-litre TFSI engine for the first time. It sports the same body as the 3.0-litre variant, but with a rather different heart.
Up close and Personal
On first glance, the 2.0-litre Q7 possesses the same sharp design cues and good looks as its heartier brethren that impressed us the first time round. The bold Singleframe grille, 'quattro arches' constituting the crisp lines cutting above the wheel arches and into the beltline, as well as the flowing roof line, all add up to disguise the car's size. It manages to look distinctly more estate-like than SUV-like.
Inside, the car retains all of the quality, spaciousness and comfort of its bigger brother. The power-operated third row seats are also offered as standard.
Speaking of standard, it is packed to the brim with standard features, including the ultra-slim MMI screen, the Virtual Cockpit, as well as an MMI touchpad with haptic feedback and programmable buttons that make navigating the infotainment system a breeze.
As one would expect from the brand that bears the four-ring emblem, every surface in the interior feels and looks good. Fit and finish is flawless, and definitely contributes to the overall sense of quality inside the car. It really is quite hard to find anything wrong with the Q7 in terms of its aesthetics and practicality. It manages to tick all the boxes, offering everything you would need and want.
If we had to nitpick, the Q7's sheer height makes getting in and out a little bit of an excursion, especially if you are on the wrong side of Singapore's average height. It could potentially be a pants-ripping, underwear-exposing affair if you aren't careful. This also means that trying to make quick pick-ups and drop-offs at Raffles Place at 6:00pm on a weekday can be a rather ungainly affair.
If we had to nitpick, the Q7's sheer height makes getting in and out a little bit of an excursion, especially if you are on the wrong side of Singapore's average height. It could potentially be a pants-ripping, underwear-exposing affair if you aren't careful. This also means that trying to make quick pick-ups and drop-offs at Raffles Place at 6:00pm on a weekday can be a rather ungainly affair.
The Drive
It is here that the difference in engines becomes quite telling. The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine offers 252bhp and 370Nm of torque, which is fairly generous and does a surprisingly good job of moving this big car along. 55kg has also been shaved compared to the Q7 3.0 like-for-like, exemplifying the car's pursuit of lightness. This means that the car weighs in at 1,975kg instead of 2,030kg. That said, the weight isn't a problem for the smaller engine as it manages to feel sprightly on the roads, pulling well ahead of cars on the highway.
The issue, then, is power delivery. Whereas the 3.0-litre engine is supercharged, this 2.0-litre engine is turbocharged, and that also means turbo lag. Putting your foot down is akin to shouting "ready, steady" at the start of a 100-metre sprint. The "go!" takes a while to come, but when it does, it almost kicks you in the back of the head.
That being said, this may not necessarily be a problem. Putting real-world condition driving into consideration, we reckon driving hard in an occupant-filled seven-seater SUV won't be a daily affair.
The Q7 is a comfortable, luxurious and surprisingly easy to drive car. The steering is responsive, the turning radius surprisingly good, and in dynamic mode, the car takes to bends surprisingly well.
It is here that the difference in engines becomes quite telling. The 2.0-litre turbocharged engine offers 252bhp and 370Nm of torque, which is fairly generous and does a surprisingly good job of moving this big car along. 55kg has also been shaved compared to the Q7 3.0 like-for-like, exemplifying the car's pursuit of lightness. This means that the car weighs in at 1,975kg instead of 2,030kg. That said, the weight isn't a problem for the smaller engine as it manages to feel sprightly on the roads, pulling well ahead of cars on the highway.
The issue, then, is power delivery. Whereas the 3.0-litre engine is supercharged, this 2.0-litre engine is turbocharged, and that also means turbo lag. Putting your foot down is akin to shouting "ready, steady" at the start of a 100-metre sprint. The "go!" takes a while to come, but when it does, it almost kicks you in the back of the head.
That being said, this may not necessarily be a problem. Putting real-world condition driving into consideration, we reckon driving hard in an occupant-filled seven-seater SUV won't be a daily affair.
The Q7 is a comfortable, luxurious and surprisingly easy to drive car. The steering is responsive, the turning radius surprisingly good, and in dynamic mode, the car takes to bends surprisingly well.
The downsized, turbocharged engine also translates to the fact that this model is lighter on the wallet, sipping fuel at a less worrying rate. We managed a miserable 8.4km/L, but that is largely a function of purposely working the engine hard. But driven on a sensible, day-to-day basis, with the car left to its own devices and with a light foot, managing near its listed 13.5km/L figure may be achieved, we suspect.
Conclusion
After spending more time with the Audi Q7 2.0, it increasingly makes sense. Listed at $304,600 (as of 26th February 2016), it is $57,000 cheaper than the Q7 3.0. And oddly enough we don't think it is $57,000-less of a car.
The car is no lighter on features, quality and comfort, providing everything you'll want in a luxury seven-seater SUV. It's lighter on your wallet, too, with the turbocharged engine slightly less thirsty for petrol.
Different heart this car may have then compared to the more powerful 3.0-litre model, but it certainly is the smarter choice for buyers.
Conclusion
After spending more time with the Audi Q7 2.0, it increasingly makes sense. Listed at $304,600 (as of 26th February 2016), it is $57,000 cheaper than the Q7 3.0. And oddly enough we don't think it is $57,000-less of a car.
The car is no lighter on features, quality and comfort, providing everything you'll want in a luxury seven-seater SUV. It's lighter on your wallet, too, with the turbocharged engine slightly less thirsty for petrol.
Different heart this car may have then compared to the more powerful 3.0-litre model, but it certainly is the smarter choice for buyers.
