REVIEW: Audi Q7 racking up more bad press?

It might be a problem for old people.

Q7 is not as good as the peers, Audi has the guts to overprice their 1st SUV. ML and X5 base models were born for $40k- tag , rather get a Porsche ...

thecar

How do you know? Have you driven all of the above mentioned vehicles? First you can't compare it with the ML or the X5, as they don't have a third row. Compare it with the MB GL, then you will se that the Q7 holds up very well.

$65,000??? 14 MPG????? I agree that the X5 and or ML are a much better value.

SixxFive

Here are some facts for you. Here is MB's competitor the GL. With 15 less hp it gets one less higwaly mpg and the same city. Owned. Yes.

BMW doens't have a 7 seat SUV, but the X5 4.8 has only 5 more hp and slightly better fuel economy, BUT costs 10k and still doesn't offer some of Audis features. Owned. Yes.

Cartrash

It is a harsh review, but look at the reviewers, they are old "boring car biased" reviewers. Computers must be foreign objects to them.

Cartrash

That is what I am trying to say. The two reviewers got all mad about some things that they would learn how to use in a couple of weeks, but they ony had the car for a day or so probably. In any new car, you would have to take the eyes of the road if you are not familiar with it, even if it had "old fashioned" controls because you don't know exactly were all of the controls are. Also, I don't think they have ever used a navi before, because you do have to take your eyes of the road to a certain degree.

Chewy: here are some facts for you. I don't consider the NB GL a competitor to the Q7...more like the ML. Second, I could care less about the friggin "third seat" and finally, I am talking about the Q7: $65K and 14 MPG. The X5 or ML are much more attractive options in MY OPINION.

SixxFive
SixxFive
Whatever you want. The ML IS NOT Q7's competitor. The Q7 and the GL are within A TENTH of an inch in length. The Q7 is 13.7 inches LONGER than the ML. That is like comparign the A8 and the MB C class. ALso the ML500 has 48 LESS hp than the Q7, with the EXACT SAME MILAGE.

http://autos.msn.com/research/compare/default.aspx?c=0&n=3&i=0&tb=0&ph1=t0&ph2=t0&dt=1&v=t102611&v=t102656&v=t100676

What else do you want?

BTW, here is what the public on the same website thinks about the Q7.

http://info.detnews.com/poll/result.cfm?topic=audiq7_2007&end

Every new product bounds to have some controversial comments or issues. That just happens, it’s a universal rule. However, given the fact that this review is written by professional car appraisals, I think we have to respect their views. In theory, their opinion should not be clouded by emotions or fanaticism of the object they are reviewing.
Nevertheless, when it comes to personal likings, most opinion comes from stranger (even came from professional jury) won’t lessen the strong attachment we have. Having said that, I couldn’t agree more with Cartrash, I love the 7 series no matter how irritating it can get.
We can acknowledge any opinion, but all that matter is your own..

I really never understood all the love for this hideous vehicle when they are many more worthy and more appealing options out there. It seems to me that it just boils down to the the new thing of the moment...just as when the Range Rover Sport came out or anything after the X5 (which I must add looks 5 times more appealing than this overstretched minivan).

This will probably ruffle some feather too but what is with all Audi love lately as well. Many here act like BMW is a bully who stole their lunch money. Realize that BMW is held to an impossible standard and if Audi or Lexus was held to this same standard...well you know.

LOL! Audi basher? I think not...not worth my time. Inf fact I believe Audi makes very "nice" cars...I was just pointing out the seemingly constant need by 'Audi Lovers' to tell everyone else how great Audis are and to come to the defense of an Audi review in distress. Yes they are nice but come on, "Audi style"?

Chewy...it's all good....take a deep breath....by this post and many others that you have posted I can tell that for you, Audi rules the auto universe and you probably go to sleep at night clutching a Audi steering wheel...hey that's cool! The Q7 just does not do it for me. I do appreciate some of the other models. Peace.

SixxFive

No, that isn't entirely true. That is ok, not all cars are for all people. The fact is that the original review obviously looked biased, and written by people that either don't know anything about technology, would rather drive something domestic (they are from Detroit) The original article was what got me a little worked up.

mormar - wow another BMW fan that says "just wait till the next model"
First the M5 vs the RS4 back in 2004
then the RS4 vs the M3
then the 545 vs the A6 4.2 (now the 550)
and then we have the new X5 comming out next year that will be just as good as Audi but better


I love watching BMW worry about little old Audi.

sorry that was the m5 vs the RS6 back in 2004

IamEvilHomer.

If u havent noticed, all Audi's models came after BMW's models by years. So ofcourse they MUST have better stuff in them. AND mromar said that the currentX5 is better than the Q7 so he didnt say "wait for the next model" at all. Get ur reading glasses man.

it is funny that I owned so many Audi and I keep saying bad things about it =P

chewy chill out , u know 1st Gen model cant be tht good , we saw first ML just cheap the craps out and early X5 has busted radiators ( from 4+ close friends)

Lets see if Audi can adjust the segment a lil better, unlikely Q7 will go to hell like a Phaeton but more likely repackage and drop base price like a Jetta.

And u can see most of us dun care about 3rd row seats and comparing it to ML/X5 , u can see audi has some marketing to work on. btw 1 gen ML has 3 row seats as option.

M52R - you are right I misunderstood i though he said "Expecially the late version" refering to the next one.

I don't get your point about all audi models came after BMW. I guess you are saying BMW is older then Audi? Oh I guess you got me Audi is onlu 100 year old company . You win that point i guess

onlu = only a

I don't know why automotive journalists don't get a product "introduction" just like any other consumer would after purchasing a new vehicle. Just because they are "experts" in the field does not mean they might not benefit from a little instruction. Note to Audi: You must be giving these vehicles out....how about a delivery person to explain the basic controls and how to work them? I would think that if Audi is that concerned with the scores of customer surveys that never get published, that you would take a little time to explain ghost problems to dumb journalists that will publish thier findings to the world!

Folding down the backrest on the middle row couldn't be any easier. It's a simple lever in plain view next to the bottom seat cushion. You simply lift up on it! The legroom of the middle row is fully adjustable if someone would have shown them the adjustment bar located on the front of the bottom seat cushion. I believe the Q7 has the most rear seat legroom of any other SUV in its class.

Audi decided to stradle the ML and the GL with one vehicle for the moment. The Audi Q7 can be ordered in a 6 cyl 5 passenger configuration starting at $39900. This should compete well in the ML, X5, RX350, QX35 crowd. The V8 version is very close in size and capacity to the GL as well. The GL does give a little more headroom to the 3rd row because of it's overall shape but getting into it isn't any easier. In fact, the GX470 isn't any cakewalk either when it comes to getting all the way back there and has a much worse solution for stowing those seats when not in use. I still see plenty of them on the road though.

Say what you will about the Q7. I think it's a really good attempt for a first try. Much better than the first ML for sure!

Reviews like this drive me crazy because it is obvious that the people who wrote it flat do not understand the vehicle. I don't mean the concept of the vehicle or the reasoning behind it's creation, no, I mean BASIC operational aspects of it.

Now I must say that I am not a particularly big fan of the Q7. I think it is bloated, has one of the worst interiors Audi has created in the last decade (which is to say that it is still very good, just not up to Audi par) and is not as attractive as either to Touregg or the Cayanne, it's two close cousins. But with that said this review is just dead wrong on almost all accounts, and I am not talking about subjective points either.

For example, the rear seat leg room space. On the Q7 is is limo like... HUGE, maybe the roomiest back seat in any SUV I have ever been in. I love the X5 but the Q7 is MASSIVELY more room back there. How the review could say it is tight is beyond any and all logic... try moving the seat for God's sake! The review talks about how complex the controls are and yet they are in general logicaly laid out and easy to use. I find the Audi MMI system MORE complex than iDrive for whatever reason, but still very easy to grasp. If you are capable of passinga drivers test you certainly should be able to graps the MMI within a few minutes. And talk about poorly designed third row seats is plain silly. Listen, I just assume not have ANY third row. I think it makes the damn cars too big, the seats are always too small for any real use and in my opinion it is just a waste. But if you are going to compare third row seats the Audi comes out near the top. Look at the Lexus in which you have to eat up massive cargo room with the seats or take them out altogether. The Audi has a logical and simple solution. If you MUST have a third row I think the Q7 does a very good job with it.

Now peopel can argue that they like or disliek the looks but come on, this is not some hidious looking vehicle. I am not a fan of the way it looks but it is simply NOT ugly either. Fan boys like to argue that everything BMW is great and everything Audi sucks or what have you, but any level headed person is likely to find that the Q7 is a well designed, well built and generally attractive vehicle.

My point here is that there are lots of points about the Q7 that one could attack, and it is not the end all be all by any means. Frankly I was disapointed in the Q7 because I love Audi and had really high hopes. But what this review attacks is just WRONG. The Q7 will suit MANY people very well. It is about 6 years late to the game and that will hurt sales, it is oddly niether very sporty or super practical so that will hurt as well, and yes, it is expensive any way you cut it. But it is also well made, luxurious, offers TONS of room and is anything but the vehicle this review describes.

BMW DESIGNS ARE THE BEST: STRIKING, FUTURISTIC, FASHIONABLE, YOUNG MINDED, SPORTY!

You know, all you people who are complaining about BMW's recent design is just jealous of them! BMW is the no.1 luxury car brand in the world and the 3, 5, 7 sold the most cars in its market segment in 2005 worldwide, beating Merc and Audi BY FAR!

So this simply says it, BMW's design is the way the people want it, togather with reliable first class innovation, quality and character, it can be nothing but the choice of sensible and educated buyers! The new 3 Series design is a work of art, look at the sharp front and muscular side, what car in the world can match that??? It is something potent, first and striking. It stands out from the normal cars like Merc and Audi!

That's why BMW's 3 is World car of the year and top 3 for World car design of the year! If you want to moan, why not try the ugly CLS, look what Sh1t it looks like: ugly headlights with an overcurved shoulderline (looks like it has been crashed from front and rear), ugly rear lights, too! Shame, what a piece of TRASH! The other one is the new S class - headlights so dull and fogged, can't they ever come up with something orginal and exciting?

I suppose because they appeal to the almost dead old population, who still think that Merc is a respected brand! I don't even want to get to the snoek fish degin of the Audi grille and the crying taillights of the A4, the sales show! By the way, why did Merc copy the iDrive, bootlid and interior design of the 7 if it was so ugly to some brainless bigmouths? Bangle is King and he should stay! BMW is not BMW without his works of art! Too bad for those who do not like it, you must then close your eyes, but the majority of thsi world loves it and that's what matters. We cannot help it that you lack taste!

But what in the world does that rant have to do with the review of the Q7?

I tend to agree with you, I love the bangle designs and the unique BMW look, to my eye it is fresh and pleasing and you MUST inovate and evolve in order to survive. But that has NOTHING to do with a very bogus, unfair and just flat WORNG review of the Q7.

I have owned many cars over my life and I have enjoyed many of them. I see no point in blind loyalty to one brand and even if you have that loyalty it by no means means that every other brand sucks.

I happen to prefer the X5 to the Q7, even the current version, and I expect the new version to REALLY be nice. But so what? I can also respect the Q7 for being a damn nice vehicle... nothing at all like the review implies.

The real point here has nothing to do with which brand is better, it has to do with idiot reviewers who do not even understand the basic operations of the vehicle they are testing. Had these fools written about a BMW and not understood the most basic controls I am sure you would not be too happy about that.

LWKH

Did you just buy a 3 series and write that blog as soon as you got home with it or what? Dude, get off of the Ether!

It is not jut a 3 Series, it is the World Car of the Year! I noticed that when I close up to the cars in front of me on the highways, they respectflly move over making way for me as they know that the BMW 3 Series is the King of the Road. By the way, this didn't use to happen with my E46! So this says a lot!