Review: 2016 Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is the German automaker's one of the best SUVs boasting strong engines, nimble handling, and a luxurious interior. The seven-seat premium SUV came with a purposeful new design and hybrid tech to compete against the likes of Volvo XC-90, Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne, and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

Exterior and Interior Styling

The 2016 Q7 is much more handsome with sharper lines, angular grille, and LED headlights than the previous versions. The sloping roofline gives it a sportier look, beefed up by the wheel arches.

The interior is where it impresses us the most with Audi's horizontal dashboard style. The infotainment screen floats out of the dashboard, and you can manage it through knobs and touchpad. You can also opt for Audi's virtual cockpit system that swaps the instruments with a 12.3-inch display. The Telegraph calls the 2016 Q7 "incredibly smooth and quiet."

The seven-seater offers 295 litres of boot space with all seats up, 770 litres with third-row seats down, and 1,955 litres with second-row seats folded, as well.

Engines

The family-friendly seven-passenger SUV gives you four engine options in the UK - three diesel and a diesel plug-in hybrid.

The base 3.0-litre six-cylinder generates 215 bhp. With this power, you can hit 100 km/h from a standstill in 7.3 seconds. The engine delivers 48.7mpg estimated fuel economy with 150g/km CO2 emissions.

Buyers looking for more power should opt for the 3.0-litre TDI producing 268 bhp. More power means it is quicker in acceleration and handles better when pushed hard. Audi claims 47.9 mpg fuel economy. However, you have to pay more tax because of 153g/km CO2 emissions.

Those in need of the most efficient Q7 can have the e-Tron plug-in hybrid. It has the same 3.0-litre diesel assisted by electric motors to create a total output of 368 bhp. Audi claims it delivers 156.9 mpg and 42g/km CO2, which means owners will not pay road tax and congestion charges. The real-world MPG figure will vary though.

At the top of the lineup is the SQ7, which houses a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo delivering 429 bhp, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.9 seconds. The claimed 39.2 mpg and the 195g/km CO2 rating denotes you will have to dish out £270 annually in road tax. However, bear in mind, the new SQ7 was around £20,000 more expensive than the entry-level model.

Prices at Launch

When Audi launched the 2016 Q7, the base SE trim came with a £48,455 price tag. The somewhat more robust 3.0-litre diesel variant demanded £51,045.

A step above the ladder was the S-line version that came with extra standard equipment. With the 215 bhp 3.0-litre diesel mill, it cost £51,950.

The hybrid Q7 e-Tron came in just one flavor with a price tag of £64,950, whereas the top-of-the-line V8-powered SQ7 was most expensive at £70,970.

Used 2016 Audi Q7 Price

Comparing these prices in the current used car market, the 2016 Audi Q8 costs between £28,000 and £45,000. You can now have the range-topping SQ7 at the cost of entry-level SE or even less.

Is the 2016 Audi Q7 a Good Used SUV?

Yes, the 2016 Audi Q7 is an excellent mid-size sports utility vehicle offering agile handling, calm ride, and powerful engines. It features one of the plushest interiors in its segment, with standard leather upholstery and soft padding all over. It also has an abundance of standard safety and driver-assistance features, including a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning with automatic braking, and pedestrian detection. Definitely, worth every penny you spend on it!