Audi Q7 3,0 TDI Tiptronic

Having recently undergone a facelift, Audi's SUV resumes its battle for respect as a pukka SUV as opposed to the "just a Station Wagon on stilts" on-road reputation with which the Inglostadt leviathan has been lumbered. In this regard, the 3,0-litre TDI Tiptronic is probably the best option to consider.

While I can appreciate how designers wouldn't want to make a facelifted vehicle appear to be an all-new automobile, the updated Q7 disappointingly differs very little from the pre-facelift model in terms of its appearance. Despite a few revisions to the design and new elements employed altogether, I doubt many would be able to tell the two apart in traffic...

But if you do happen to look closely, you'll notice the bold new grille with chrome-tipped vertical bars and if you've ticked the xenon plus headlight option, then U-shaped LEDs line the outer edges of the headlamps as daytime running lights, with a strip of LEDs just above the air vents that flank the single-frame grille. Less noticeable changes are the new front and rear bumpers, now with black protective trim underneath - which creates the illusion of improved ground clearance. The redesigned aluminium tailgate is pretty light to open and close - which is just as well, because at its fully-open height shorter cargo-loaders might have difficulty reaching it in the first place.

Apart from the additional exterior niceties, the other crux of the facelift is that Audi claims to have made considerable progress to keep its engines as efficient and environmentally-friendly as possible by employing an advanced version of the common rail injection system, as well as new combustion chamber sensors and high-performance exhaust recirculating system. The Modular Efficiency Platform system recovers mechanical energy during braking and coasting and coverts it into electric energy that is sent back to the battery.

As a result, the 3,0-litre TDI Q7 meets the strict LEV II Bin 5 US emissions standard, and already complies with the Euro 6 limits announced for introduction in 2014.

Back to matters which those less concerned with saving the planet are interested in, the 3,0-litre now produces slightly more power (176 kW at 4 000 r/min and the same 500 N.m of torque from 1 750 r/min) and, as such, is still capable of shifting its 2,5 ton mass around with the considerable zeal that impressed us during our test of the pre-facelift model in December 2006.

With Quattro all-wheel drive and adaptive air suspension, the Q7's on-road manners are as exceptional as expected. Simply put, nothing upsets its balance- and with the driver able to set the ground clearance at five different levels and a choice of three driving modes (comfort, automatic and dynamic), more often than not you're able to find a setting that suits your current situations and driving style. The attractive 20-inch wheels that came with our test vehicle not only add to the Q7's exceptional on-road behaviour, but have also previously proved capable in mild off-road conditions if need be - though I highly doubt Q7 owners will be lining up to traverse tricky terrain.

As we've come to expect from the four-ringed brand, the interior finish is superb, with a multitude of luxurious features and generous luggage space. In addition to the new selection of interior colours and materials available to customers, a redesigned instrument cluster and interior lights in the door linings have been included to enhance the interior experience, but it's more of the same really.

Despite the poser image associated with the Q7, it really isn't that hard to justify the purchase of a 3,0 TDI, especially as it isn't a bad off-roader. But for those less willing to explore off the black-top, it is a very capable on-road SUV with the sort of presence that would make you second-guess most of its rivals at the same price.