When I think of Audi, I think of the blazing fast R8 or the family friendly A4 or A6. Regardless, I think of a sporty German automobile. After recently visiting Germany, I was surprised how many Audi, BMW and Mercedes served as taxis or delivery vehicles. In the States, we view the Lincoln Town Car as our domestic chariot to and from the airport; however, our German friends like to put a little more sport into their “service” vehicles. To be honest…rolling through Germany in an A6 was pretty nice.
So, to kick-off our 2009 Car of the Month program, we wanted to find a vehicle that was slightly off the radar, yet combined sport, utility and luxury making it an all around daily driver. Look no further than the 2009 Audi Q7!
The DRIVE
It was supposed to be a typical Southern California weekend with sunshine and blue skies as far as the eyes can see. I took receipt of the Q7 Premium Quattro at our offices and no sooner than an hour later did the skies open up and the rain start to fall. At first, my disappointment was apparent, doing a vehicle review is supposed to be stress free with sunshine basking through the sun roof. Well, this was not going to be the drive I was hoping for, but I accepted the challenge with a new found excitement. In fact, it actually made the experience even better.
The rainfall total for the three days of driving was roughly 3-4 inches, which in Southern California is rare. Taking to the road in pouring rain gave me the immediate opportunity to test out the wipers, braking and overall drivability. Handling it all with precision, the automatic wipers clicked on with-out touching a button, which allowed me to focus on the rain slicked and puddle laden roads. Driving through Laguna Canyon (California State Route 133) I quickly developed an appreciation for the handling on the slight twisting of the single lane road. What caught my attention with the drivability was the feeling of not being in a large SUV, but rather a nimble sedan. The ride height was perfect and the control was precise.
Under the Hood…Performance
Powering the 2009 Audi Q7 is a 3.6 liter, 280 hp, V6 DOHC. I love talking about horsepower, but in the case of the Q7, it’s not a must. The engine operates effortlessly as it shifts through its 6-speed transmission. To really appreciate the performance though, you need to shift the Q7 in to its Tiptronic or Sport Mode. That’s where the Q7 goes from an SUV to a slightly more powerful, responsive “sports” utility vehicle. Acceleration is enhanced off the line and although it doesn’t help your fuel economy…it’s nice to know the performance is there. The Q7 is expected to get between 11 and 17 mpg in the city and 16 and 24 on the highway.
Inside the Q7
There’s a lot to like about the interior of the Q7. It’s refined, luxurious and very comfortable to drive. What stands out the most is the Navigation and Bluetooth (handsfree) system. The Navigation was very easy to use; however, I was slightly disappointed the Navigation has a locking mechanism that doesn’t allow you to plug in coordinates while driving…even if your passenger wanted to plug them in. Heated seats, an iPod adapter and steering wheel mounted controls also made the experience enjoyable. A standout, especially in the rain, was the Q7’s Panorama Sunroof. The fully retractable top really brightened up the interior. One thing I don’t want to leave out is the practicality of the Q7 for those with kids. Looking at the Q7 from every consumer standpoint I paid particular attention to the height of the vehicle for putting kids in the car. No reaching, no bending…access is much easier than other “kid friendly” cars. I also really liked the simple push button feature for the rear hatch. Other vehicles have the button on the inside of the cargo area which standing at 6’3” can result in a slight bump on the head. The Q7 button is mounted on the hatch itself which worked perfectly for me. However, if you are vertically challenged, the key FOB works like a charm and keeps you out from under the cargo door.
Bells and Whistles
The Q7 Premium package comes with a host of other features that are really worth pointing out. Xenon headlights, advanced parking with rearview camera, Navigation, color trip computer, and Bose surround sound highlight the Premium package. Other additions include 20-inch wheels, warm weather package (four zone climate control) and cold weather package (heated seats and steering wheel).
The Bottom Line
The Audi Q7 fit the bill for the rainy weekend though I’m sure the Q7 is just as fun to drive on a hot summer day. The price tag was hovering around $58,000, but that was with literally every amenity and upgrade you could add. With a host of rebates and incentives out there, I have seen similar Q7’s going for under $50,000. If you are looking for a luxury SUV that is practical and fun to drive, look no further than the Audi Q7.