The Audi Q7 ranks 5 out of 17 Luxury Midsized SUV. This ranking is based on our analysis of 88 published reviews and test drives of the Audi Q7, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2011 Audi Q7 continues to deliver distinctive elegance, lots of cargo room and six- or seven-passenger seating. With new supercharged engines for this year, it’s even more powerful and efficient than ever. However, its high price still means there are plenty of others in this class that offer more for the money.
The Audi Q7 gets some much-needed changes for 2011 -- but you wouldn’t know by looking at it. Rather, the substantial changes are under the hood. Gone are the sluggish 3.6-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 engines. Instead, they’re replaced by two supercharged 3.0-liter V6s paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
"Whether luxury SUV customers are willing to trade in the prestige of a V8 for an (admittedly misleading) 3.0T badge remains to be seen, but as a means of keeping the SUV relevant in this cleaner, greener climate, the 2011 Q7 is yet another step in the right direction," writes Auto blog.
Audi also continues to offer the diesel-powered TDI model – and since the 2011 Q7’s prices are expected to be just as high as the 2010 model’s, it continues to be the best value. The turbo diesel's 17/25 rating tops nearly all of its competitors (but it also costs about $4,000 more than six-cylinder Q7 models). Because of its environmentally progressive nature, Road & Travel Magazine named the Q7 TDI Clean Diesel its 2010 Earth, Wind & Power Truck of the Year.
Other Luxury SUV to Consider
Since the Q7 has such a high price point – it can cost over $60,000 -- it’s easy to find more affordable competitors. The Lexus RX 350 starts at about $9,000 less and offers one of the highest fuel economy ratings in the class. Its 18/25 city/highway rating is even better than the Q7 turbo diesel rating. However, the RX 350 doesn’t offer a third-row seat.
If a third row is important to you, consider the Acura MDX. It also comes standard with a third row and costs about $4,700 less than the Q7. Its base 16/21 fuel economy rating isn’t nearly as impressive as the Lexus RX’s, but it still improves upon the Q7’s poor base rating. Note that Audi expects a fuel economy increase for 2011, but neither Audi nor the EPA has released figures.
Details: Audi Q7
For 2011, the Q7 receives minor exterior revisions, the new engines and transmission, and standard HD radio. Audi has not yet announced trims for 2011. However, the 2010 Q7 comes in several trims, the Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige, and the 2011 is expected to be similar. All models come standard with Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system.
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