I’d like to see more talk about keeping vehicles past the warranty period. Most people don’t buy new/slightly used cars every five years. These German cars are incredible but the cost to repair makes them a poor choice for most people.
There’s a reason their resale is so poor. There is no avoiding VAG maintenance issues, things will break on these vehicles that don’t on other brands…window regulators, electronic modules, wiring harnesses, phantom electrical problems, suspension bushings and so much more 😂
These aren’t for most people if we are being honest. But I definitely hear your point. I own these vehicles last warranty often, but you do have to have the funds to not do deferred maintenance 😅
These types of cars are great for people who are very ok with DIY repair work. If you’re the kind of person who has to take it to a dealer for any noise or light that comes on the instrument cluster, these will be hideously expensive to own long term.
This Q7 is practically a retro review. Audi what happened? The whole lineup is so dated. Back in the 00's with the A4/A6/A8 the brand was genuine competition to BMW/Mercedes - not so sure these days.
This is such an awesome video. I have been curious about the 25 Q7 since its launch, and absolutely no one. No one. Has put together such a well-thought out explanation of what this car represents in 2025, who it’s for, and what it can do.
Just drove a rental 2024 Audi Q7 with 14k miles on it. Here are my thoughts. Drove 800+ miles mostly highway. 2.0L 4 cyl. Firstly this vehicle is quiet. Very little road noise. Absolutely no issues with ride quality. I’m very susceptible to head toss nausea in big vehicles, and I had no problems. The brakes were super strong. Much better than my luxury Japanese car. The 4 cylinder was just fine. Should better at this price point, but I averaged 27 mpg. Not bad. The vehicle felt solid. Here is where the good things end. Worse infotainment system I’ve ever used. Screens are non intuitive and become a fingerprint mess. All the piano black caused reflections in the sun. Worse lane keep assist I’ve ever come across. Had to read the manual to turn it off. A button on the end of the headlight stalk. If I moved out of my lane to give a police car on the road side more room, it would fight me to steer back at it. Needed two hands on the wheel, otherwise it’s way too aggressive. Never quite figured out all the symbols on the headlight stalk. Just left it on auto. The cruise controls are buried on a third stalk way down on the left. Can’t see it. More symbols. Car had electrical gremlins. The overheat warning light would randomly go on and off. This despite the temp gauge being right in the middle of normal. Then the hatch stopped working. Would open and not closed. Watched a TH-cam video. Closed it manually. Seats were ok, but not as good as my 6 year old Lexus. On and on. It didn’t feel like a luxury car. It felt like what could have been great, let down by over complicated and malfunctioning electronics. The basics were there, but the execution was off. Wanted to like it. Couldn’t. Wouldn’t buy this thing. Not at this price point.
Thanks for your impressions. Maybe the higher tier engines would be charming enough to look past the gremlins. I can't understand opting for a turbo-4 on a luxury vehicle at this size and weight class, seems like it cheapens the experience and defeats the purpose.
@@KillaninjaFCmost likely not. Most of the bad experience came from the interior. Most of the interior, if not all, would remain the same for a bigger powerful engine model.
@@Molloy19512.0L 4 cylinder. Adequate, but this vehicle is expensive. Should come with a V6. Same thing with MB GLE. BMW smarter. Same price in USA as X5, but that starts with the fantastic straight 6 B58 as the base. No 4 cylinder for that one.
Just bought my wife a reasonably optioned up Q5. It's like driving a lifted GTI. One great feature of the Q5 is that it doesn't have that third screen instead it has physical controls for HVAC, etc.
An SQ5 is one of the few things that makes me consider trading in my '19 Alltrack SEL 6MT, but I'm hesitant to lose the manual, gain 1000lbs, and overall have a much more expensive vehicle to own.
I've got a 2017 Q7 Prestige with all options sans massaging seats. It has the supercharged V6 (last Audi to have the EA837, replaced by the turbo EA839 in 2020 ). I got it for 25k with 85k miles in 2023, and was lucky enough to get it as a single owner vehicle. It has been amazingly comfortable and outside the shock of oil consumption (normal with a lot of Audi products and has been reduced by changing to Liqui Moly), it has been completely reliable. The air ride and rear steer make it feel a lot smaller than it is, and it does fairly well handling the mass.
@McBeakerson Everything I have found says the 2019 Q7 was the last to have it, it went to the turbocharged version for the 2020 refresh. Either way, I really like the supercharged version and I am glad that I have it.
If you're going to own a German car, imo it's best for it to be an "old" late-model example like this. Currently enjoying our '23 B9.5 Allroad Prestige with extended warranty. I think the analog interior will add to the resale value in 6-8 years.
I don't think its rear-biased. I've changed the diff fluids on all three differentials after 86k miles. Front diff was jet black. Center diff was dark brown. Rear diff looked like new fluid. All three had never been changed. That, to me, says that this is front wheel drive most of the time, sending power to the back when you're really asking for it or on slick roads.
I’m still enjoying my 2018 50 tdi Vorsprung here in the UK. No touch screens, lots of upgraded leather and a few great option upgrades (full glass roof, HUD, LED matrix lights etc). Does 42-45mpg on motorways and it delivers a nice calm sense of well-being on family or solo trips. Your review of that generation was influential in my buying one with 11.5k miles at a big discount to new
I have a 2023 Prestige. It's a surprisingly great vehicle if you want an all around package. Very few complaints except the lack of storage spaces/cubbies. I specifically got it with the 20" wheels for ride comfort, plus they look better.
@@shakke52 Rides better, I can go over curbs if needed and they are cheaper to replace. And they are all season tires which is not the case with most low profile tires out here in las vegas.
The used market is incredible due to depreciation,, but Audi has a reputation for very expensive repairs and questionable reliability post warranty. Does that reputation still hold true?
No not really. VAG has their electronics/ body modules squared away by now and their fit and finish, while starting to head south is still very good, they hold up well. As for mechanicals if you are looking at Q7s the V6 and V8 (SQ7) are both Porsche designed engines intended for the Cayenne and Panamera and provide Porache reliability.
First gen Q7 was never replicated. They need to bring back the novel design, useful tech, and repairability. 14 TDI Prestige is one of the best rides I've had and feels timeless. This model feels forgettable
Great to see you this thing get reviewed. I personally think this is the direct competitor to the med type s in price and performance in v6 form. Frankly it's incredibly competent automobile. Fun? No. However it's a relief after a crappy day.
5:06 I think the audio got clipped here because the towing capacity for the 4 cylinder was never actually stated, it just cuts the audio to the next voice track.
The worst thing about buying wny of these used is that majority are returned from leases where initial owner couldn't care less about it, because it wasn't intended to be kept anyways. Also, the BS 10k miles oil changes is one of the reasons why most new vehicles are deemed so unreliable. Had they had a 5k oil changes - they would've been much better off. TLDR - careless owners, unknown consequences.
Good review. Yep, I’ll keep my 2018 with 20k miles that I picked up last year. I paid 50% of MSRP for a vehicle with 17k miles, thanks previous lessee lol. Design selections Murillo brown extended leather package, air suspension, rear steering, and real HVAC controls. Tows my travel trailer like a dream and is way more special inside than this newer one.
I have a 2017 Q7 Premium Plus without air ride and I think it rides great. Recently had my first out of pocket major expense. Thank goodness I had an expended warranty! It was the first time I used it and it was a lower level protection package but still covered almost $6k in repairs!
I had the original Q7 from 06 and then the updated Q7 in 2017. And now have the SQ8. They’ve all been bullet proof. I sold the Q7 to my neighbor in Montana. He’s put 125K on the clock with no issues. No rattles, creaks, nothing. The SQ8 has been the same. Fun to drive and solid. I was disappointed that the refresh was virtually nothing. When this tech package was first introduced it was industry leading. Now it’s dated. I hope Audi gets on it soon.
As a chauffeur, the main "update" for me is simply that it's still available to buy in ICE form. Thank GOODNESS. I currently have the MY22 diesel TDI 45 (in Australia), and it's absolutely wonderful.
Great review as always gentleman. Makes me feel a whole lot better about my recent purchase of a 2023 model “same spec” for my wife. Letting someone else take the first 2 year depreciation hit was the bonus. Cheers!
We bought one and like it for the most part. The rear passenger windows are tinted and have a terrible haze when the sun hits them. It's ridiculous. I didn't think I needed to pay attention to this when we were shopping. The other gripe I have is the backup camera screen is so dark, especially when backing out of my garage. The screen takes too long to brighten. Other than these two things, the sound system rocks and it's the quietest car I've ever driven.
The cx90 recalls have fixed most of the jerking in 3.3s turbo transmission and and steering. Can you please do a detailed review of the cx90 non phev turbo engine model like this ?? With long term ownership in mind ? Thank you
I own a CX-70 Turbo S Premium and have had is since the beginning of June. It's getting close to 4k miles on the clock. Brand new the drive train was massively improved over the first CX-90s. I It's only gotten better over time. There is now zero jerkiness, shuddering and it's now very quick off the line. Brand new it did experience some hesitation sometimes but it's totally gone now. It's buttery smooth driving conservatively and a bit snarly when you floor it. I absolutely love it. Finally, the 48v mild hybrid helps fuel economy a lot. All around mpg is better than claimed... about 26 vs 25 and highway mileage is sometimes better than 30 mph at 75mph. At 80 it's about 28. The driver personalization is a bit finicky, but I've figured out how to get it to recognize me more that 90% of the time. Other than that we've had ZERO issues.
Imagine if Audi or a luxury brand made a minivan. I never even thought about that until Mark mentioned it. If it was on one of their large car platforms it would be quiet and get good mpg yet have tons of space. It is a shame nearly everything is a small lifted crossover now.
I occasionally work on European vehicles in west palm beach. Local cars have half a chance of graceful aging. Those that are originally from the northeast or other road salt areas can have enough rust after less than 10 yrs that some issues can be hard to diagnose. Electrical, abs etc. Repairs become extremely expensive as the vehicle deteriorates
You mentioned the Acura MDX type S had one of the best rides under $100k, would you guys still say that holds true when compared to the ride of this newly updated Audi Q7? Both complete more in alignment than base versions of each
Great review and echoes my own thoughts with a 22 SQ7 owned from new - with which I've been delighted over 30k. Cost me two thirds of the price of an equivalent Cayenne in the UK and far less likely to be stolen. A true sleeper but capable and well-engineered. Tech may be old school (and the same as my son's Skoda) but works.
I agree with your tech point. I just find it funny how there’s always complaints about how X car doesn’t have the amount of technology an S-Class would have, when I find cars like the Q7 and our 2015 X5 have the apt balance of premium and conveniently necessary technology. It just works…
Btw I wait for your reviews like the next episode of a TV series. Thank you for all the efforts in production and content. Oh yeah, Q7 is almost past its sell by date
as always, awesome content. THE go-to automotive channel when shopping for new vehicles. Really hoping for a comparison between the sq7/sq8 and the x5 m60i. Cheers.
Man, I'd absolutely love a deep dive like this on any 2015-present TT RS, or even an RS 5. The former is on my "potential second car" buying list, and the latter I'm just mechanically curious about. I know you guys have tried to get both of those at some point to no avail. Truly a shame Audi doesn't cooperate with you guys the way Porsche does.
I have a 19 year old German car and the only reason I can keep it on the road is because I do all the repairs myself. If I relied on a mechanic it would bankrupt me.
@@cosmic_gate476 oil pan gasket was leaking, so I replaced it. Had to drop the sub frame for that one. Also, rocker cover gasket, oil cooler gasket. Vanos solenoids died, headlights lens were pitted from the inside so instead of getting new headlights (which are insanely expensive) I swapped just the lens with one's I bought online. Took me hours. And many other things. Saved myself thousands of dollars by doing it all myself.
While the interior gets criticized for being aged, I prefer it over the screens on too of the dash. Also, you can get a CPO Prestige package with 10k miles for around $55k, which is an incredible deal at the price point.
We love our Prestige Q7 3.0T with air suspension, black optic package, 21 inch wheels and a few minor upgrades like an intake, lowering links, and an APR tune. It definitely feels sporty! At some point, I’ll likely trade it for a CPO SQ7. I’m curious why you mentioned you’ll never drive an SQ7 on the show-I’d really love to see your take on it. I know you’ve reviewed similar models, but there aren’t many detailed reviews of the SQ7 out there, especially with your level of expertise.
Were I shopping three row SUVs right now a used SQ7 Prestige with the sport package and Burmester would be at the top of my list. You can find a clean '21 with
The air ride and 4 wheel steer sound great, but if I’m not leasing, I do NOT want to pay for a yearly 4 wheel alignment and replace those air bladders when they fail in my cold climate
This is what’s magical about luxury brands. The used market IS amazing especially if you’re a DIYer there are tons of websites with good parts and info so you rarely have to go to the dealer to do anything.
They are forced to not spend ANY money in development and with all VW Group products, they're buying time as much as possible due to Dieselgate costs. If you remember, the Q7 had to be redesigned extensively after going through a development because they didn't like it, delaying the 2016 model. Parents have had the 3.0T 2018 Q7 Prestige and it's the same car as the new one (Sans infotainment). It has the retracting display that frankly is nicer. Physical HVAC screens. Has wired carplay. What's the point in getting new one?
I love that Audi has made very little changes to the Q5 and Q7. They have a winning formula with these as they are - adding more screens and bigger grilles won't help!
@@cbotten106 oh I would never get anything like that. SQ5 mayyybe. Not a bigger one. If I went up market from an SQ5 it would be a Macan S, not a larger platform.
Nice review here. I'd be a little apprehensive on buying a new Q7 however right now. The reason, Audi is about to release a brand new re designed Q5 which actually looks very nice (looking forward to that review here). If you follow Audi, the Q7 falls in line with the Q5 as far as any refresh/re design. When they do come out with a new re designed Q7 I have to believe the overall layout/footprint is going to mirror what is about to come out with the Q5. I think if you need a new car right now, you have the family, kids etc, the Q7 is nice. I do agree with the comment here about lack of storage inside the car. Could not agree more. I almost wish Audi (along with many other German car manufacturers) would hire a team from Lexus to just ask them for help in designing the layout inside of their cars. The Japanese just seem to do it right. Everything makes sense when you sit in lets say an RX350. Plenty of storage, great cup holders, good center storage unit. Its like the Japanese have teams of people who just design really good cup holders. Not so with Audi it appears. I had an Audi years ago and as much as I loved the Quattro AWD system and how the car performed on road, i absolutely got tired of stupid lack of storage and things in the car that just didnt make sense. Finally, cost of ownership. I remember getting my first oil change that I had to now pay for and when the service manager gave me the bill for a basic oil filter change I thought he was kidding. I seriously thought he was giving me a bill for a different customer. I just couldnt deal with that for a long time. Traded the car in after about 2 years of owning it.
At this point, like Mark said, just buy a used one. The 1st refresh in 2020 is essentially the same. Bought a fully loaded pre lci for $25k and well worth it.
Regarding the minivan thing, i would just be happy with sliding doors on non vans. They just make sense. Look up the Mk1 Golf with sliding doors concept
I don't understand 1 thing: they say most car companies (Audi included) make most of their money from SUVs. Yet Audi is happy to keep these SUV generations for like 10 years. This car came out in 2015, almost 10 years ago. First generation the same, they made it for like 9 years. Same with the Q5, first gen was like 9 years. If SUVs are the bread and butter, shouldn't they update them faster?
The king of luxury SUVs are Land Rover/ Range Rover who only change design once in a decade. Same with Porsche, they all just offer a 5 year refresh. Same for an true luxury brand
Part of the reason for that is that most of these companies planned to completely electrify their portfolio within the next 5-10 Years. So instead of investing in a new platform, they are trying to hold on to these older ones until the electric successor will take over.
Thanks for bringing up interior squeaks and rattles! Every reviewer never mentions this specifically, which I think is VERY important. I don't care if they had the car for 1 hour or 1 week, that should be enough for most reviewers to comment on interior noises. Especially if the car is classified as luxury!
Probably too early. I test drove the CX90 when it 1st came out. Very impressed. The inline six definitely had my attention. But not needing a 3 row I decided to wait for the 60. But it didn't become what I was hoping for, 2 row and all that. So was watching owners forums and man they scared me off completely. Plus The Car Nut Guy really didn't like the timing gears and stuff in the back of the engine. Cost a fortune to repair etc.As the saying goes never buy a 1st year model. Ended up buying a Toyota Venza. Luv the 40-46mpg
Feel like Audi has been going downhill in the headlamp and taillamp dept. I had a 2018 SQ5 and a 2022 Q7 Prestige and they both had nicer exterior lighting than the current updated top trims. Audi, why change something for the worse just to call it a facelift? Overall, passangers/kids love the Q7. As a driver, the Q7 was too big coming from a smaller and sportier SQ5 with a much nicer interior imo. Hence, my Q7 is gone while I could still get as much of my money back as possible. However, I would get a Q7 over any BMW or MB product as it is a very nice riding and looking luxury large suv. I think Porsche is the best, when handling is the most important factor, but then you’re getting into crazy pricing these days with their SUVs. My advice would be to test drive as many of these as possible. Also, look out for weird vibrations, at idle, on your test drive before you buy any vehicle, new or used.
Just an FYI: The touchscreen press can be changed in the settings, at least if it's the same as the e-tron which I'm assuming it is since the infotainment is carried across the models. It can be changed to capacitive essentially and it's just normal tap functionality like your smartphone and makes everything much easier to use.
That old Q7 ad talked about kids left behind by 7-passenger SUVs that do not actually seat 7 passengers.... I wonder if the third row shrank across the generations.
Q7 and Volvo XC90 are very underrated. You’ll get a lot for the same amount of money as BMW, and Mercedes. There’s a ton of incentives on both Q7 and XC90.
I don’t understand what’s going on with Audi. I mean that this company believe on taking any chances at all on exterior styling? They used to have the best interiors of any regular production car in the world. Think I would take the interior of the new navigator over this and the old navigator over this and the Lincoln aviator over this and the Mercedes-Benz GLE over this and the new Ford expedition, I think the list is endless at this point This thing is like a Brooks brother suit. It’s so incredibly conservative to the point that it’s become offensive in trying to be non-offensive.
I have a 2017 X5 M-Sport right now as the family hauler, and have been looking at upgrading. Was thinking Tesla or a non-luxury brand... but Mark's words are making me reconsider another luxury vehicle...
@@cbotten106 Its for kids, but yes, I agree I would not want to sit there more than 20 mins. Our kids dont mind however, and it does qualify for safety with seatbelts and all. Its not a full size suv
I had a 2024 Q7 loaner car when I took my A5 in for service. Felt like I was driving some kind of 4 wheeled space ship. It's quiet and beautifully finished, but... couldn't feel what it was doing on the road, the pedals didn't feel responsive to me, and I hated all the touch screen stuff. I noticed your 2025 has the same touch screen madness. No thank you.
I have a tough time looking at 3 rows as anything more than a compromise. I’m confused by how much money gets dumped into the sportier side of segment.
That’s ok if it confuses you. We still want something that’s kinda fun and carries a family around, cus some of us don’t want to just give up a nice ride and fun. Just depends on what you want. 😊
@@LafemmebearMusic335 horsepower is hard to call kinda fun when you’re vehicle weighs 5000 pounds and you’re carrying another 600 pounds of people… you aren’t getting acceptable sport performance from these vehicles unless you’re spending Porsche money. At that point you could just buy two separate vehicles. Get a reliable three row and get a separate sports car. Even something as inexpensive and easy to drive as a gt86 would be miles better around a track than this. I drive an explorer st. Not for the “sporty” nature, but for the compromise. I have a separate car if I want to pretend I’m a formula driver while picking up groceries.
@@bigchimpin4215 Yep, by the time you get to fun (namely SQ7), you're talking Porsche money. And you've still got that silly third row to haul around too.
We looked at the 2017-18 Q7s and chose the XC90 Inscription over it. Both of us like preferred how the Q7 Prestige drove, but the Volvo was better all around. Last year, we looked at the facelifted Q7 (and the X740i) and it wasn't much improved and actually kept the XC90 over it. I couldn't get over the disappointment in the Audi seats over the Volvo seats. This 2nd facelift is just more lipstick. Waiting for the redesigned one or a Q9 or more likely, we'll end up with a R1S or EX90.
This and the Cayenne (that is also a big facelifting with some new suspensions/engines) are still the best in class. However, the Q7 doesn't have the same perception of the Cayenne, especially in North America. Why? First, the US-specs Q7 has been about 200 lbs heavier than a base Q7 3.0 TFSI in Europe since they were introduced back in 2016. Eu-specs Q7 don't have standard third row, panoramic roof, driving assistance package, power seats, home link garage, etc... That stuff adds a lot of weight. Second, Audi USA, for some reasons, denied the Q7 of their dynamic optionals. In Germany you can get ceramic brakes, dynamic rear sport differential and lightweight 21' wheels that are not available in US and Canada. Configured so, a Q7 has basically the same handling of a cayenne.
Probably more to do with one being a Porsche and the other being an Audi. Would also hardly disagree that a Q7 ever drives like a Cayenne just using a sport diff and lightweight wheels..
I drove one across Europe recently and while it's very comfortable and drives/handles remarkably well for its size my god the tech in it is just awful. And that includes all the safety things. The number of times it suddenly started braking for no reason or didn't see a car in front was scary. Never even mind the laggy "infotainment". I literally had to ask my passengers to change the climate settings for me because doing it myself while driving wasn't safe it was so laggy and unreliable.
There is a SQ 7 with the V8 on their website. With 500HP. With every feature specs out to 106, 000...Would that be worth the price? Audi is for people who are not real flashy.
8:00 there is one, it's called Li Mega (from China) it has the best ride quality (better than rolls royce cullinan even, which is supposed to be a benchmark, this was coming from a RR owner (not me))
Great review! Audi desperately needs help with some of its models, technology, value, residuals, and money factor for those who want to lease. In my opinion, go for the x5 or the X7.
Thank you for another excellent review. When comparing this against others, I noticed no mention of the 6-seater Lincoln Aviator that I believe you liked. 400 hp and 0-60 in 5.4 seconds. Are they too different to compare them? Just curious.
His comment on the Infotainment is something I hear a lot from critics. How they say it feels outdated. I really feel this is what is going to really date vehicles. How does Audi get away with the tail lights on the lift gate? I thought brake likes can't be on a body panels that move like light gates.
I’d like to see more talk about keeping vehicles past the warranty period. Most people don’t buy new/slightly used cars every five years. These German cars are incredible but the cost to repair makes them a poor choice for most people.
True. Keeping the vehicle's warranty also is essential.
There’s a reason their resale is so poor. There is no avoiding VAG maintenance issues, things will break on these vehicles that don’t on other brands…window regulators, electronic modules, wiring harnesses, phantom electrical problems, suspension bushings and so much more 😂
@@ruftime $5k to fix an oil leak because the whole subframe has to be removed
These aren’t for most people if we are being honest. But I definitely hear your point. I own these vehicles last warranty often, but you do have to have the funds to not do deferred maintenance 😅
These types of cars are great for people who are very ok with DIY repair work. If you’re the kind of person who has to take it to a dealer for any noise or light that comes on the instrument cluster, these will be hideously expensive to own long term.
Your new car reviews are great, but I also like it when you look back at stuff like this from the mid 00s to see how it's held up.
Like the 2004 Impreza Spec C or 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe?
@@purwantiallan5089 I think he is talking about the best car ever made: The Nissan Murano Cabriolet
This Q7 is practically a retro review. Audi what happened? The whole lineup is so dated. Back in the 00's with the A4/A6/A8 the brand was genuine competition to BMW/Mercedes - not so sure these days.
@@ArthurBenetton The outdated tech is more of a selling point these days.
@@ArthurBenetton A5, A5 avant, A6, A6 avant, Q5, Q6 and Q6 sportback are all newer than bmw and mercedes. That's 7 new models in few months dude
This is such an awesome video.
I have been curious about the 25 Q7 since its launch, and absolutely no one. No one. Has put together such a well-thought out explanation of what this car represents in 2025, who it’s for, and what it can do.
Just drove a rental 2024 Audi Q7 with 14k miles on it. Here are my thoughts. Drove 800+ miles mostly highway. 2.0L 4 cyl. Firstly this vehicle is quiet. Very little road noise. Absolutely no issues with ride quality. I’m very susceptible to head toss nausea in big vehicles, and I had no problems. The brakes were super strong. Much better than my luxury Japanese car. The 4 cylinder was just fine. Should better at this price point, but I averaged 27 mpg. Not bad. The vehicle felt solid. Here is where the good things end. Worse infotainment system I’ve ever used. Screens are non intuitive and become a fingerprint mess. All the piano black caused reflections in the sun. Worse lane keep assist I’ve ever come across. Had to read the manual to turn it off. A button on the end of the headlight stalk. If I moved out of my lane to give a police car on the road side more room, it would fight me to steer back at it. Needed two hands on the wheel, otherwise it’s way too aggressive. Never quite figured out all the symbols on the headlight stalk. Just left it on auto. The cruise controls are buried on a third stalk way down on the left. Can’t see it. More symbols. Car had electrical gremlins. The overheat warning light would randomly go on and off. This despite the temp gauge being right in the middle of normal. Then the hatch stopped working. Would open and not closed. Watched a TH-cam video. Closed it manually. Seats were ok, but not as good as my 6 year old Lexus. On and on. It didn’t feel like a luxury car. It felt like what could have been great, let down by over complicated and malfunctioning electronics. The basics were there, but the execution was off. Wanted to like it. Couldn’t. Wouldn’t buy this thing. Not at this price point.
Thanks for your impressions. Maybe the higher tier engines would be charming enough to look past the gremlins. I can't understand opting for a turbo-4 on a luxury vehicle at this size and weight class, seems like it cheapens the experience and defeats the purpose.
You need the 3.0T. It’s what my S5 has.
@@KillaninjaFCmost likely not. Most of the bad experience came from the interior. Most of the interior, if not all, would remain the same for a bigger powerful engine model.
2.0 or 3.0?
@@Molloy19512.0L 4 cylinder. Adequate, but this vehicle is expensive. Should come with a V6. Same thing with MB GLE. BMW smarter. Same price in USA as X5, but that starts with the fantastic straight 6 B58 as the base. No 4 cylinder for that one.
I’m a 2017 Q7 owner. It looks mostly similar, with a few tweaks. With that said, it’s a wonderful daily driver for dad duties.
Just bought my wife a reasonably optioned up Q5. It's like driving a lifted GTI. One great feature of the Q5 is that it doesn't have that third screen instead it has physical controls for HVAC, etc.
An SQ5 is one of the few things that makes me consider trading in my '19 Alltrack SEL 6MT, but I'm hesitant to lose the manual, gain 1000lbs, and overall have a much more expensive vehicle to own.
@@AndrewBeveridge461 I love my SQ5 - i.imgur.com/dolvOXG.jpg
One reason alone to get this: Looks better than ANY new BMW on sale today😂
Been awhile since the Gulf hoodie has been properly utilized.
Well Done.
“Reminds me of the old Blackberry Storm.” 😂
Obama
Blackberry Storm car is as fast as AUDI Q7.
lol deal killer
@@purwantiallan5089Yeah 😮
I've got a 2017 Q7 Prestige with all options sans massaging seats. It has the supercharged V6 (last Audi to have the EA837, replaced by the turbo EA839 in 2020 ). I got it for 25k with 85k miles in 2023, and was lucky enough to get it as a single owner vehicle. It has been amazingly comfortable and outside the shock of oil consumption (normal with a lot of Audi products and has been reduced by changing to Liqui Moly), it has been completely reliable. The air ride and rear steer make it feel a lot smaller than it is, and it does fairly well handling the mass.
You left out a key detail. How many miles do you have on it now?
@@KhanJoltrane 87.5K ... Sunday church vehicle 😂😂😂
@McBeakerson Everything I have found says the 2019 Q7 was the last to have it, it went to the turbocharged version for the 2020 refresh. Either way, I really like the supercharged version and I am glad that I have it.
If you're going to own a German car, imo it's best for it to be an "old" late-model example like this. Currently enjoying our '23 B9.5 Allroad Prestige with extended warranty. I think the analog interior will add to the resale value in 6-8 years.
Turning off Haptic Feedback really increases the MMI screen response time. Settings->Display & Brightness-> MMI-> Haptic Feedback
I don't think its rear-biased. I've changed the diff fluids on all three differentials after 86k miles. Front diff was jet black. Center diff was dark brown. Rear diff looked like new fluid. All three had never been changed. That, to me, says that this is front wheel drive most of the time, sending power to the back when you're really asking for it or on slick roads.
your front diff is used more in normal driving so its possible thats why its darker.
I love the dark brown with the black optic package. Very understated
I’m still enjoying my 2018 50 tdi Vorsprung here in the UK. No touch screens, lots of upgraded leather and a few great option upgrades (full glass roof, HUD, LED matrix lights etc). Does 42-45mpg on motorways and it delivers a nice calm sense of well-being on family or solo trips. Your review of that generation was influential in my buying one with 11.5k miles at a big discount to new
I have a 2023 Prestige. It's a surprisingly great vehicle if you want an all around package. Very few complaints except the lack of storage spaces/cubbies. I specifically got it with the 20" wheels for ride comfort, plus they look better.
The ride with the 20s must be great!
@@shakke52 Rides better, I can go over curbs if needed and they are cheaper to replace. And they are all season tires which is not the case with most low profile tires out here in las vegas.
The used market is incredible due to depreciation,, but Audi has a reputation for very expensive repairs and questionable reliability post warranty. Does that reputation still hold true?
@@robbamford4134 after multiple audis i now drive lr defender and it is more reliable than any og my audis were, shocking…
Yes
Even more so with all the screens and networking on a modern car.
Not true. People who drive Toyota and Honda do not notice their issues. So they do not report.
No not really. VAG has their electronics/ body modules squared away by now and their fit and finish, while starting to head south is still very good, they hold up well. As for mechanicals if you are looking at Q7s the V6 and V8 (SQ7) are both Porsche designed engines intended for the Cayenne and Panamera and provide Porache reliability.
One of the very few channels I watch where I automatically give it a thumbs up before even watching the video.
First gen Q7 was never replicated. They need to bring back the novel design, useful tech, and repairability. 14 TDI Prestige is one of the best rides I've had and feels timeless. This model feels forgettable
Loved our Q5 TDI.
The design! Man that was and still remains a handsome SUV. Classy and Elegant (if you will), but it was never loud about it, hence the subtlety…
@@douglasryle6499Q5 TDI also has plenty of power like Mazda RX-7 Type RS 98.
Nah
still own the 1G with 4.2 TDI, great car in all aspects
Great to see you this thing get reviewed. I personally think this is the direct competitor to the med type s in price and performance in v6 form. Frankly it's incredibly competent automobile. Fun? No. However it's a relief after a crappy day.
5:06 I think the audio got clipped here because the towing capacity for the 4 cylinder was never actually stated, it just cuts the audio to the next voice track.
Dang sad to see no audio review as it has the advanced B&O
What is B&O actually?
@@purwantiallan5089body odor
@@purwantiallan5089 body odor
@@purwantiallan5089 Bang and Oleufson
@@purwantiallan5089 Bang & Olufsen, high-end audio equipment brand.
The worst thing about buying wny of these used is that majority are returned from leases where initial owner couldn't care less about it, because it wasn't intended to be kept anyways. Also, the BS 10k miles oil changes is one of the reasons why most new vehicles are deemed so unreliable. Had they had a 5k oil changes - they would've been much better off.
TLDR - careless owners, unknown consequences.
Good review. Yep, I’ll keep my 2018 with 20k miles that I picked up last year. I paid 50% of MSRP for a vehicle with 17k miles, thanks previous lessee lol. Design selections Murillo brown extended leather package, air suspension, rear steering, and real HVAC controls. Tows my travel trailer like a dream and is way more special inside than this newer one.
That tells you everything you need to know about what the market thinks of used German products. Get an extended warranty
@@barrygoldwasser5449 all nonexotic luxury cars depreciate quickly, just the Germans quicker than the Japanese. You can’t compare them to normal cars
@@barrygoldwasser5449 To be fair to Audi, they're not Lexus, so... they're going to depreciate. You can't judge them for not being Lexus.
😂
I have a 2017 Q7 Premium Plus without air ride and I think it rides great. Recently had my first out of pocket major expense. Thank goodness I had an expended warranty! It was the first time I used it and it was a lower level protection package but still covered almost $6k in repairs!
I had the original Q7 from 06 and then the updated Q7 in 2017. And now have the SQ8. They’ve all been bullet proof. I sold the Q7 to my neighbor in Montana. He’s put 125K on the clock with no issues. No rattles, creaks, nothing. The SQ8 has been the same. Fun to drive and solid. I was disappointed that the refresh was virtually nothing. When this tech package was first introduced it was industry leading. Now it’s dated. I hope Audi gets on it soon.
Theres a new generation on the way. Maybe 2026, 2025 if lucky.
As a chauffeur, the main "update" for me is simply that it's still available to buy in ICE form. Thank GOODNESS. I currently have the MY22 diesel TDI 45 (in Australia), and it's absolutely wonderful.
Great review as always gentleman. Makes me feel a whole lot better about my recent purchase of a 2023 model “same spec” for my wife. Letting someone else take the first 2 year depreciation hit was the bonus. Cheers!
We bought one and like it for the most part. The rear passenger windows are tinted and have a terrible haze when the sun hits them. It's ridiculous. I didn't think I needed to pay attention to this when we were shopping. The other gripe I have is the backup camera screen is so dark, especially when backing out of my garage. The screen takes too long to brighten. Other than these two things, the sound system rocks and it's the quietest car I've ever driven.
The cx90 recalls have fixed most of the jerking in 3.3s turbo transmission and and steering. Can you please do a detailed review of the cx90 non phev turbo engine model like this ?? With long term ownership in mind ? Thank you
I own a CX-70 Turbo S Premium and have had is since the beginning of June. It's getting close to 4k miles on the clock. Brand new the drive train was massively improved over the first CX-90s. I It's only gotten better over time. There is now zero jerkiness, shuddering and it's now very quick off the line. Brand new it did experience some hesitation sometimes but it's totally gone now. It's buttery smooth driving conservatively and a bit snarly when you floor it. I absolutely love it. Finally, the 48v mild hybrid helps fuel economy a lot. All around mpg is better than claimed... about 26 vs 25 and highway mileage is sometimes better than 30 mph at 75mph. At 80 it's about 28. The driver personalization is a bit finicky, but I've figured out how to get it to recognize me more that 90% of the time. Other than that we've had ZERO issues.
Thanks for sharing. Was curious why you went with the 70 instead of the 90. I presume no need for 3rd row?
3:00 - chipping in for Mark's chiropractor visit after contorting himself to the 3rd row
Imagine if Audi or a luxury brand made a minivan. I never even thought about that until Mark mentioned it. If it was on one of their large car platforms it would be quiet and get good mpg yet have tons of space. It is a shame nearly everything is a small lifted crossover now.
Lexus LM/Toyota Alphard spring to mind, though not the only choices. Exclusively for Asian markets. They are fucking incredible.
Mercedes R63 AMG was a 500 hp 'minivan'... though it did not have a sliding door. Definitely the only minivan I'd drive!
@@wttwtg4165 Lexus LM is also offered in Europe.
I occasionally work on European vehicles in west palm beach. Local cars have half a chance of graceful aging. Those that are originally from the northeast or other road salt areas can have enough rust after less than 10 yrs that some issues can be hard to diagnose. Electrical, abs etc. Repairs become extremely expensive as the vehicle deteriorates
You mentioned the Acura MDX type S had one of the best rides under $100k, would you guys still say that holds true when compared to the ride of this newly updated Audi Q7? Both complete more in alignment than base versions of each
It’s funny that the monstrous Q7 stock brake rotors are still bigger than the Type S’s.
Great review and echoes my own thoughts with a 22 SQ7 owned from new - with which I've been delighted over 30k. Cost me two thirds of the price of an equivalent Cayenne in the UK and far less likely to be stolen. A true sleeper but capable and well-engineered. Tech may be old school (and the same as my son's Skoda) but works.
I agree with your tech point. I just find it funny how there’s always complaints about how X car doesn’t have the amount of technology an S-Class would have, when I find cars like the Q7 and our 2015 X5 have the apt balance of premium and conveniently necessary technology. It just works…
Less likely to be stolen?
@@MBisFrenchyYup. Cayenne, whilst not Range Rover level, is far higher in the Tea Leaf league table....in London at least.
Not sure how the tech is dated, but I like how the Audi engineers built the screens into the dash, instead of just propping up a monstrous screen.
Btw I wait for your reviews like the next episode of a TV series. Thank you for all the efforts in production and content. Oh yeah, Q7 is almost past its sell by date
as always, awesome content. THE go-to automotive channel when shopping for new vehicles. Really hoping for a comparison between the sq7/sq8 and the x5 m60i. Cheers.
My mom bought one kislux and she loves it. It had been there for over 10 years when she went out with it.
I am just impressed by the prices of cars in your country. In Croatia, a Q7 specced this well is 160-180k euros...
At least you’ve got a beautiful country to drive it in. Croatia rocks.
Glad you mentioned the lack of driver-accessible storage. It’s my biggest complaint about my A6 Allroad as well.
Man, I'd absolutely love a deep dive like this on any 2015-present TT RS, or even an RS 5. The former is on my "potential second car" buying list, and the latter I'm just mechanically curious about. I know you guys have tried to get both of those at some point to no avail. Truly a shame Audi doesn't cooperate with you guys the way Porsche does.
I have a 19 year old German car and the only reason I can keep it on the road is because I do all the repairs myself. If I relied on a mechanic it would bankrupt me.
What kind of work have you had to do on it?
@@cosmic_gate476 oil pan gasket was leaking, so I replaced it. Had to drop the sub frame for that one. Also, rocker cover gasket, oil cooler gasket. Vanos solenoids died, headlights lens were pitted from the inside so instead of getting new headlights (which are insanely expensive) I swapped just the lens with one's I bought online. Took me hours. And many other things. Saved myself thousands of dollars by doing it all myself.
@@cosmic_gate476 lol. plastic
While the interior gets criticized for being aged, I prefer it over the screens on too of the dash. Also, you can get a CPO Prestige package with 10k miles for around $55k, which is an incredible deal at the price point.
We love our Prestige Q7 3.0T with air suspension, black optic package, 21 inch wheels and a few minor upgrades like an intake, lowering links, and an APR tune. It definitely feels sporty! At some point, I’ll likely trade it for a CPO SQ7. I’m curious why you mentioned you’ll never drive an SQ7 on the show-I’d really love to see your take on it. I know you’ve reviewed similar models, but there aren’t many detailed reviews of the SQ7 out there, especially with your level of expertise.
We never get Audis, when do its about 5 years later. Been asking for SQ7 for over 5 years now.
@@savagegeese They know you'd track it and throw it under the bus. 🤣
Were I shopping three row SUVs right now a used SQ7 Prestige with the sport package and Burmester would be at the top of my list. You can find a clean '21 with
Bingo. It’s the best luxury performance SUV for
The air ride and 4 wheel steer sound great, but if I’m not leasing, I do NOT want to pay for a yearly 4 wheel alignment and replace those air bladders when they fail in my cold climate
Good thing that’s not required, read the maintenance schedule
This is what’s magical about luxury brands. The used market IS amazing especially if you’re a DIYer there are tons of websites with good parts and info so you rarely have to go to the dealer to do anything.
5:07 sound glitch there... the 2.0 variant tows 4400 pounds, 3.0 is 7700 for anyone curious.
They are forced to not spend ANY money in development and with all VW Group products, they're buying time as much as possible due to Dieselgate costs. If you remember, the Q7 had to be redesigned extensively after going through a development because they didn't like it, delaying the 2016 model. Parents have had the 3.0T 2018 Q7 Prestige and it's the same car as the new one (Sans infotainment). It has the retracting display that frankly is nicer. Physical HVAC screens. Has wired carplay. What's the point in getting new one?
A current warranty to get out from under those pricey repair bills would be one big point.
I have a 2022 55 TFSIe. I don’t drive it as much some of the other cars but it is very comfortable.
I love that Audi has made very little changes to the Q5 and Q7. They have a winning formula with these as they are - adding more screens and bigger grilles won't help!
Q5 is an all-new model now.
@@YZJB But in true Audi style...you never could tell.
It's bananas that they make this with a 4cyl. It's five thousand pounds!
No kidding… getting this with the 4 cyl seems like a total waste. It’s a $60,000 car. 6 cyl is only 5k extra!!
Jus get the SQ7 and live a lil bit.
@@cbotten106 oh I would never get anything like that. SQ5 mayyybe. Not a bigger one. If I went up market from an SQ5 it would be a Macan S, not a larger platform.
Same as VW with the 2024+ Atlas. But the 2 liter seems to work well and owners like it better than the old and ancient + fuel thirsty VR6 engine
@@Pamlicojdjdj1487 Atlas is like 10-15% lighter and 40% cheaper.
5:05 I believe you accidentally cut out the towing capacity of the 4 popper, sounds like the sentence audio was chopped a little early.
Real exhaust tips back on normal Audis? Massive, massive W!
Eh, minor victory if handled well.
Nice review here. I'd be a little apprehensive on buying a new Q7 however right now. The reason, Audi is about to release a brand new re designed Q5 which actually looks very nice (looking forward to that review here). If you follow Audi, the Q7 falls in line with the Q5 as far as any refresh/re design. When they do come out with a new re designed Q7 I have to believe the overall layout/footprint is going to mirror what is about to come out with the Q5. I think if you need a new car right now, you have the family, kids etc, the Q7 is nice. I do agree with the comment here about lack of storage inside the car. Could not agree more. I almost wish Audi (along with many other German car manufacturers) would hire a team from Lexus to just ask them for help in designing the layout inside of their cars. The Japanese just seem to do it right. Everything makes sense when you sit in lets say an RX350. Plenty of storage, great cup holders, good center storage unit. Its like the Japanese have teams of people who just design really good cup holders. Not so with Audi it appears. I had an Audi years ago and as much as I loved the Quattro AWD system and how the car performed on road, i absolutely got tired of stupid lack of storage and things in the car that just didnt make sense. Finally, cost of ownership. I remember getting my first oil change that I had to now pay for and when the service manager gave me the bill for a basic oil filter change I thought he was kidding. I seriously thought he was giving me a bill for a different customer. I just couldnt deal with that for a long time. Traded the car in after about 2 years of owning it.
At this point, like Mark said, just buy a used one. The 1st refresh in 2020 is essentially the same. Bought a fully loaded pre lci for $25k and well worth it.
until it breaks and costs you a fortune.
@@hkfan4596 two words: extended warranty
@@anotheran which one did you get?
@@hkfan4596 2018 q7 prestige
@@hkfan4596audi Platnium extended warranty
Regarding the minivan thing, i would just be happy with sliding doors on non vans. They just make sense. Look up the Mk1 Golf with sliding doors concept
I don't understand 1 thing: they say most car companies (Audi included) make most of their money from SUVs. Yet Audi is happy to keep these SUV generations for like 10 years. This car came out in 2015, almost 10 years ago. First generation the same, they made it for like 9 years. Same with the Q5, first gen was like 9 years.
If SUVs are the bread and butter, shouldn't they update them faster?
The king of luxury SUVs are Land Rover/ Range Rover who only change design once in a decade. Same with Porsche, they all just offer a 5 year refresh. Same for an true luxury brand
@@MRCL-190 not really for the cayenne. 2nd gen took 7 years.
Part of the reason for that is that most of these companies planned to completely electrify their portfolio within the next 5-10 Years. So instead of investing in a new platform, they are trying to hold on to these older ones until the electric successor will take over.
Why mess with success?😂
Thanks for bringing up interior squeaks and rattles! Every reviewer never mentions this specifically, which I think is VERY important. I don't care if they had the car for 1 hour or 1 week, that should be enough for most reviewers to comment on interior noises. Especially if the car is classified as luxury!
The BlackBerry Storm cellphone, that’s hilarious!
Question: sq7 or half loaded cayenne. They have close price tags ? Thanks
@@GWOTKoolAid I know but I love the Porsche log but not deep enough pocket for the S 🥹
Save a little more and get the Cayenne S.
The Cayenne is on a new platform. Honestly, spec it "right" and it could be the better buy, imo.
@@cbotten106 can you specify how you would spec it “ right “ ? Thanks
The idea of a luxury minivan is so needed.
I'll keep my X7, thanks. I need a usable 3rd row.
Don't have any double. amputees for that third row, huh?
Waiting on your rematch with the Mazda CX70/90
Probably too early. I test drove the CX90 when it 1st came out. Very impressed. The inline six definitely had my attention. But not needing a 3 row I decided to wait for the 60. But it didn't become what I was hoping for, 2 row and all that. So was watching owners forums and man they scared me off completely. Plus The Car Nut Guy really didn't like the timing gears and stuff in the back of the engine. Cost a fortune to repair etc.As the saying goes never buy a 1st year model. Ended up buying a Toyota Venza. Luv the 40-46mpg
I'm keeping my 20 yr old analog BMW sedan forever. 🎉
Feel like Audi has been going downhill in the headlamp and taillamp dept. I had a 2018 SQ5 and a 2022 Q7 Prestige and they both had nicer exterior lighting than the current updated top trims. Audi, why change something for the worse just to call it a facelift? Overall, passangers/kids love the Q7. As a driver, the Q7 was too big coming from a smaller and sportier SQ5 with a much nicer interior imo. Hence, my Q7 is gone while I could still get as much of my money back as possible. However, I would get a Q7 over any BMW or MB product as it is a very nice riding and looking luxury large suv. I think Porsche is the best, when handling is the most important factor, but then you’re getting into crazy pricing these days with their SUVs. My advice would be to test drive as many of these as possible. Also, look out for weird vibrations, at idle, on your test drive before you buy any vehicle, new or used.
Merc has luxury minivans. Used to sell them in the states but nobody wanted them. Except Mark lol
Yeah, plus there's the Lexus LM and the Toyota Alphard
Digging the disco gold with the Boney M. on the infotainment!
Do a Honda Pilot update pls!
Just an FYI: The touchscreen press can be changed in the settings, at least if it's the same as the e-tron which I'm assuming it is since the infotainment is carried across the models. It can be changed to capacitive essentially and it's just normal tap functionality like your smartphone and makes everything much easier to use.
uhhhh correction only previous generation owners will know what the changes are . Having a visible exhaust being the simplest noticeable change.
Rented one of these from Turo. With 100k miles plus, it feels very old.
When I see the last of the first gen Q7 with the S line pack it looks newer than this to me.
That old Q7 ad talked about kids left behind by 7-passenger SUVs that do not actually seat 7 passengers.... I wonder if the third row shrank across the generations.
Great review what area are you located? The scenery is gorgeous, and the open spaces are great!
You guys should have a ranking board for all the car categories, and at the end of each video to choose a spot on the board for that specific car.
The cabin isolation has become so good that you can actually hear the depreciation every time you drive it.
Yep, not for poor people.
If his appearance and seats were all turned into pure black, it would be really cool
Murdered out SQ7 is what is called for here.
Q7 and Volvo XC90 are very underrated. You’ll get a lot for the same amount of money as BMW, and Mercedes. There’s a ton of incentives on both Q7 and XC90.
thanks to Audi’s big bosses, Audi is at least 1 generation behind the other major competitors
I don’t understand what’s going on with Audi. I mean that this company believe on taking any chances at all on exterior styling? They used to have the best interiors of any regular production car in the world. Think I would take the interior of the new navigator over this and the old navigator over this and the Lincoln aviator over this and the Mercedes-Benz GLE over this and the new Ford expedition, I think the list is endless at this point
This thing is like a Brooks brother suit. It’s so incredibly conservative to the point that it’s become offensive in trying to be non-offensive.
Because of their failed electrification planning and strategy?😂
@@Pamlicojdjdj1487 look at all their electric vehicles like Etrons,I rather them spending more time on their RS models.
Where is the SQ7 review, man? I test drove an X5 M60i per your glowing recommendation, and it was soulless in comparison to the aging Audi.
Curious why they won’t review the SQ7. The V8 totally changes the drive character.
Same. I test drove SQ7 and X5 M60 and the Audi blew it away. X5 with dynamic handling package was a sloppy mess compared to the Audi.
@@gregs8685Glad to have been validated 😂 I traded in for a CPO SQ7 with the S Sport Package yesterday, and couldn’t be happier.
Interesting point of view
I have a 2017 X5 M-Sport right now as the family hauler, and have been looking at upgrading. Was thinking Tesla or a non-luxury brand... but Mark's words are making me reconsider another luxury vehicle...
SQ7 is the best 7 seater if you are looking for performance and space
That back row doesn't meet the definition of space on any version. A tiny interstitial void between seating area and lift gate would be more accurate.
@@cbotten106 Its for kids, but yes, I agree I would not want to sit there more than 20 mins. Our kids dont mind however, and it does qualify for safety with seatbelts and all. Its not a full size suv
Treat it as a 2 row or get the SQ8.
I had a 2024 Q7 loaner car when I took my A5 in for service.
Felt like I was driving some kind of 4 wheeled space ship.
It's quiet and beautifully finished, but...
couldn't feel what it was doing on the road,
the pedals didn't feel responsive to me,
and I hated all the touch screen stuff.
I noticed your 2025 has the same touch screen madness.
No thank you.
I have a tough time looking at 3 rows as anything more than a compromise. I’m confused by how much money gets dumped into the sportier side of segment.
That’s ok if it confuses you. We still want something that’s kinda fun and carries a family around, cus some of us don’t want to just give up a nice ride and fun. Just depends on what you want. 😊
@@LafemmebearMusic335 horsepower is hard to call kinda fun when you’re vehicle weighs 5000 pounds and you’re carrying another 600 pounds of people… you aren’t getting acceptable sport performance from these vehicles unless you’re spending Porsche money.
At that point you could just buy two separate vehicles. Get a reliable three row and get a separate sports car.
Even something as inexpensive and easy to drive as a gt86 would be miles better around a track than this.
I drive an explorer st. Not for the “sporty” nature, but for the compromise. I have a separate car if I want to pretend I’m a formula driver while picking up groceries.
@@bigchimpin4215 Yep, by the time you get to fun (namely SQ7), you're talking Porsche money. And you've still got that silly third row to haul around too.
We looked at the 2017-18 Q7s and chose the XC90 Inscription over it. Both of us like preferred how the Q7 Prestige drove, but the Volvo was better all around. Last year, we looked at the facelifted Q7 (and the X740i) and it wasn't much improved and actually kept the XC90 over it. I couldn't get over the disappointment in the Audi seats over the Volvo seats. This 2nd facelift is just more lipstick. Waiting for the redesigned one or a Q9 or more likely, we'll end up with a R1S or EX90.
Hooray for piano black! 🤦♂️
This and the Cayenne (that is also a big facelifting with some new suspensions/engines) are still the best in class.
However, the Q7 doesn't have the same perception of the Cayenne, especially in North America. Why?
First, the US-specs Q7 has been about 200 lbs heavier than a base Q7 3.0 TFSI in Europe since they were introduced back in 2016. Eu-specs Q7 don't have standard third row, panoramic roof, driving assistance package, power seats, home link garage, etc... That stuff adds a lot of weight.
Second, Audi USA, for some reasons, denied the Q7 of their dynamic optionals. In Germany you can get ceramic brakes, dynamic rear sport differential and lightweight 21' wheels that are not available in US and Canada. Configured so, a Q7 has basically the same handling of a cayenne.
Probably more to do with one being a Porsche and the other being an Audi. Would also hardly disagree that a Q7 ever drives like a Cayenne just using a sport diff and lightweight wheels..
I much prefer this compared to the new gen Audis coming out...
I drove one across Europe recently and while it's very comfortable and drives/handles remarkably well for its size my god the tech in it is just awful. And that includes all the safety things. The number of times it suddenly started braking for no reason or didn't see a car in front was scary. Never even mind the laggy "infotainment". I literally had to ask my passengers to change the climate settings for me because doing it myself while driving wasn't safe it was so laggy and unreliable.
I keep thinking that Mark is the Edward Norton of automotive journalists in a good way...
Air suspension and rear wheel steering are a must for me.
"Nut Croissant" 😅
Smooth
There is a SQ 7 with the V8 on their website. With 500HP. With every feature specs out to 106, 000...Would that be worth the price? Audi is for people who are not real flashy.
8:00 there is one, it's called Li Mega (from China) it has the best ride quality (better than rolls royce cullinan even, which is supposed to be a benchmark, this was coming from a RR owner (not me))
8:00 see if you can get your hands on a pacifica pinnacle. Won't be as refined as a euro vehicle, but it's certainly nice inside
Great review! Audi desperately needs help with some of its models, technology, value, residuals, and money factor for those who want to lease. In my opinion, go for the x5 or the X7.
Thank you for another excellent review. When comparing this against others, I noticed no mention of the 6-seater Lincoln Aviator that I believe you liked. 400 hp and 0-60 in 5.4 seconds. Are they too different to compare them? Just curious.
For those who have seen both, how is the 3rd row in this versus the 4Runner (especially the new, 6th Gen 4Runner)?
His comment on the Infotainment is something I hear a lot from critics. How they say it feels outdated. I really feel this is what is going to really date vehicles. How does Audi get away with the tail lights on the lift gate? I thought brake likes can't be on a body panels that move like light gates.