CAR WARS! Seven-seat Luxury SUV Showdown: Audi Q7 vs. Land Rover Discovery vs. Volvo XC90

Luxury sport-utility vehicles are all the rage right now. More buyers want them and are flocking from sedans to these family-oriented cruisers. But, if you're looking for something a bit off the beaten path, which is the best choice?

If you're not cross-shopping a BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac or the like, then perhaps you should closely examine these three. 

The Audi Q7, Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90. For those of you not in the loop, I said in this past year's Top 007 of 2016 that the Q7 and XC90 were the two best SUVs out at the moment. 

So, how does it shake out?

Watch the clip below as Carwow puts the three together for a head-to-head-to-head battle.


Seven seat SUVs: they're big, comfy and posh. The Volvo XC90, Audi Q7 and Land Rover Discovery are three of the best, so which should you choose? Watch as I compare their styling, interiors and practicality before heading out onto the road to work out which is the nicest to drive. It's one of our biggest group tests ever... Literally! 

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/13/2017 9:50:22 PM

+2 Boost

The new Land Rover Discovery is like the new NSX. You can call it that if you want, but it just isn't.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/14/2017 10:13:18 AM

+4 Boost

On that MDX theme, the Honda Pilot is the real value I think. Very below the radar. Same platform as the MDX. A lot of room. But it is not an inexpensive vehicle. $42k-$53k in Canada. Nobody will notice you, but you will drive happily to the bank.

cidflekken - 8/14/2017 1:10:15 AM

+1 Boost

The Volvo is gorgeous. The Audi should never park next to the Volvo. It would be like Amy Schumer sitting next to Heidi Klum.

Agent00R - 8/15/2017 1:56:17 AM

-1 Boost

I dig the analogy!

MDarringer - 8/15/2017 9:02:27 AM

-3 Boost

And Amy probably has to put "money on the hood" to get riders so the analogy really does work.

Firewombat - 8/14/2017 2:18:54 AM

+1 Boost

I like the format of these reviews. Q7 is a great all-rounder but a very uninspired design, Volvo looks great inside and out. Not convinced yet that LR has done enough to quell reliability concerns but I really like the interior design of the Discovery.

jeffgall - 8/14/2017 7:23:03 AM

0 Boost

These 3 were at the top of my list a few months ago when I was updating my aging 2007 Q7. The 4 cylinder of the Volvo was a turn off, and the interior of the Discovery was a notch below the other two. I ultimately choose the Q7 because of its superior 3.0 supercharged smooth power, the tech inside, and the fit and finish of the interior.

Agent00R - 8/15/2017 1:57:36 AM

+1 Boost

Congratulations! Enjoy the all-new Q7.

I have to say that if you can get over the XC90's four-banger it is the one to have. I don't know if I could get over the four-cylinder racket the XC90 produces when getting on it.

mre30 - 8/14/2017 8:12:48 AM

0 Boost

The Audi Q7 and Bentley Bentayga are platform mates - share the exact, same, 117.9" wheelbase and other dimensions are within a fraction of each other even though the Bentayga appears to be larger, it is not.

Get the optional air suspension on the Q7 and (aside from not having a 600HP W12 and having less leather and wood) the ride is the same. If you were blindfolded as a passenger you could not tell the difference.

The Q7 packs so much more technology and that V6 is sweet - it is the clear winner here.

mre30 - 8/14/2017 8:13:41 AM

0 Boost

Goto a Bentley centre and drive one - sales are slow they will let ANYONE take it for a spin with the salesperson. Then drive the Q7, Q7 is the same.

jeffgall - 8/14/2017 1:33:22 PM

0 Boost

Touareg is not on the same platform as the new Q7. Q7 is now on the MLB platform at that is shared with the A8 and A4.

Firewombat - 8/14/2017 1:43:59 PM

+4 Boost

New Touareg will be on this platform

Motospies - 8/14/2017 11:04:07 AM

+1 Boost

Q7 drives the best but it looks like a raised station wagon (raised A6 Avant). XC90 looks the best, goof looking SUV proportion and interior is effortlessly gorgeous. Disco is plain ugly. Cant believe the designers which came up with beauties like Velar also designed this tall weird looking disco.

GermanNut - 8/14/2017 11:54:26 AM

-5 Boost

The Q7's combination of technology, luxury and performance has helped it sell well in the U.S. market. It's YTD sales have hit 20,000 and are up 18% YTD as well.

malba2367 - 8/14/2017 2:57:08 PM

+3 Boost

XC90 is an amazing vehicle except for the engine which is out of place in terms of refinement. If a decent 6 cyl was an option I would have one in my driveway.

jeffgall - 8/14/2017 8:17:29 PM

0 Boost

I felt the same way. The 4 cylinder did not even provide better fuel economy to justify the loss of 2 cylinders.

Agent00R - 8/15/2017 1:59:14 AM

+1 Boost

It's a shame the four is the car's Achilles' Heel.

pepito66 - 8/14/2017 5:08:00 PM

+1 Boost

I prefer the Q7 for me.

zlives - 8/16/2017 4:51:48 PM

+1 Boost

none of these are functional 7 passenger car, for that you have to look at something like an extended navigator.
when traveling with 7 people you need some luggage room.