The Audi Q7 is one of the most comfortable rides we’ve tested but how does it score in tech and gadgetry?
Outside the technology aspect, the Q7 is a pretty impressive and large sized SUV that looks pretty mean. Needless to say, you wont have much trouble getting the car ahead of you move out if its way to let you take over. It offers seating for seven, however, the back row is best suited for kids as it isn’t spacious enough for an adult. Along with large windows, an incredibly large Panoramic roof provides you a good view of the outside world.
There is plenty of capacity to carry stuff around on the Audi Q7. The two back seats can be folded for an incredibly large boot that, thankfully, can close automatically with the push of a button. However, this button is a bit hard to reach for shorter people.
The drive is super smooth on the Audi Q7- in fact, it’s probably one of the best drive’s I’d had recently, however, even with a 3.6 liter engine, you don’t feel the kick and thus the pickup is pretty average. This is probably due to the large size of the car. Fuel economy on the Q7 is what you’d expect on a 3.6 engine. Within the city, it drinks gas like I drink water after breaking my fast in Ramadan, but on the highway, it’s actually not too bad. It will take over 200 Dirham to fill a tank though.
The AC works quite well and with four independent zones, you won’t have the kids on the back or the spouse on the front complaining about turning it up or down. Even with 45+ degrees outside and the huge cabin, the Q7 cooled down quite fast. In fact, I found myself decreasing the cooling quite often which is a good problem to have in the Middle East.
Overall, the Audi Q7 is not necessarily the most advanced car that we’ve looked at technologically. There are some great features like blind-spot warning, SD card inputs and an incredible sound system but the lack of keyless ignition, touch screen based controls or even something as minimal as iPod integration is a let down for a car that costs from AED 205,000. It’s certainly a great ride- extremely comfortable and if that’s what you’re looking for then the Q7 is well worth its price. However for tech nuts like myself, it’s a bit disappointing.
