Audi Q7 SUV (2019 - ) review

Ouch, this is an expensive car to buy and run, but no more so than its competitors in the luxury SUV sector. As long as you stick with one of the standard diesels, things don't get too bad. You might get 30mpg out of the 45 and 50 TDI versions, which is OK for a massive SUV. Significant CO2 emissions mean it’s in the highest company car tax band of 37 per cent so go for the plug-in hybrid version if this is you. Expect large insurance premiums, too. Fixed-price servicing and relatively long intervals between workshop visits, plus above-average strong resale values, give the Q7 its third star here.

It’s a mixed verdict: the Q7 comes up smelling of roses in customer-satisfaction and reliability surveys, but Audi as a brand languishes mid table. The warranty is the standard 60,000 miles/three years with the option to pay to extend it, though only at the point of sale and not retrospectively. We had no glitches with software or the touch-screen during our week of running one, which is, sadly, quite unusual in the premium SUV market right now.

You sit up very high for excellent forward visibility, and the chunky bodywork surrounding you gives a feeling of invincibility, as does the four-wheel drive. Thankfully, that feeling is largely warranted by the array of safety equipment that all versions offer. As you’d hope, for the price. You get emergency braking that warns of a pending collision and applies the brakes if you don’t, lane-departure warning which steers you back into line if you drift, and helpful notification of the speed limits. Our test car also had adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, parking camera and front and rear sensors, automatic parking, and blind-spot warning (called Side Assist in Audi speak). It’s a shame the last feature doesn’t come as standard as it’s of more real-world use than the lane-departure system. Mostly, though, this car feels pretty safe because it’s so massive than you just potter along at law-abiding speeds, relaxed and happy.

If there was a sixth star, Audi would get it here. With the third row deployed there’s ample room for four teenagers, or you can tuck it away to create a massive boot for your dogs or serious amounts of luggage. Our test car had all the luxuries your heart could desire, including four-zone climate control, an electric tailgate for when your hands are full, massaging electric seats, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. We also had a large glass roof, which helped lift the ambience of the otherwise dark and somewhat oppressive interior. Now standard, the Q7 has sublime air suspension that cushions passengers from the knocks of the road, although the extra weight of the battery in the hybrid make the car thud a bit over holes. This is also when it pays to leave the sports air suspension option alone - you really don’t want to stiffen the ride if comfort is your objective. We drove the Q7 from Kent to Yorkshire with kids and all arrived refreshed and relaxed. The driving position is particularly satisfying, with a comfy design that makes the chunky gear selector a natural place to rest your hand and all the functions within easy reach.

Every bell and whistle is here, all presented via two large, glossy screens with fingertip tingling haptic feedback. There’s a 36-month subscription to Amazon Alexa, wireless smartphone connection and charging, USB charging points in the rear and Audi’s own sat-nav which is one of the best. The optional Comfort and Sound Pack is an extra worth choosing, on the basis it adds a fabulous Bang & Olufsen stereo and choice of 30 different ambient lighting shades to really show the interior off to its best.

There’s an engine choice for everyone. There are two V6 diesels, a V6 petrol or that plug-in hybrid, of PHEV in the jargon. All are swift and smooth under acceleration. If you’re a company-car chooser you’ll want the PHEV and its up to 25 miles of electric driving for the Benefit In Kind savings. We liked the 55 TFSI, which is the pure petrol option. It’s brisk, composed and quiet. Fuel and insurance bills won’t be pleasant, but that’s the price you pay for a slice of family luxury living. The four-wheel steering on our test car and that air suspension make light work of corners, but you’re always aware of how heavy this car is. It takes longer to slow when you come off the throttle pedal than you initially think, which takes a bit of getting used to. If you’re after a dynamic, sharp drive, a seven-seat SUV won’t be for you. But this is one of the best examples of the breed on offer.