Audi Q7 review

We often get asked "What’s the best car in the world?". It’s a very tricky question to answer, but the Audi Q7 makes a pretty compelling case for itself.

Key to its appeal is its versatility. It can seat seven people in lavish comfort but has the driving manners of something much smaller and lighter. It’s a great tow car, too, and can even manage a bit of off-roading.

The five-metre-long Q7 has been the benchmark in the luxury SUV class ever since its launch a few years ago, making some very fine rival cars – including the BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90 – look almost ordinary in the process.

Not so long ago, Audi gave it a facelift to freshen up the styling, and at the same time added a new interior and overhauled infotainment system (not all good news, as we’ll explain later in this review).

On top of that, all the regular petrol and diesel versions were given mild-hybrid assistance, allowing the engine to switch itself off when decelerating to save fuel, and plug-in hybrid model was added to the range.

Over the next few pages, we’ll explain why the Q7 is such a fantastic all-rounder, and talk you through its few weaknesses. Plus, we’ll tell you which engines and trims make the most sense and which option packs you'd do well to consider.

We're focusing on the standard version here – if you're looking for something sportier, we also have a full separate review of the very fast Audi SQ7.

Once you've decided which luxury SUV is for you, head over to the free What Car? New Car Buying service to find out how much you could save on the brochure price without having to haggle. It features most makes and models of vehicle, and there are some excellent Audi Q7 deals.