Unless you’ve been hiding under a large rock for the best part of a decade, you’ll be well aware SUVs are big business. These days, high-riding options stretch from dinky budget crossovers to luxurious seven-seat barges on wheels and pseudo-sportscars on stilts. But its not all bad with the supple Audi Q7 45 TDI Quattro.
The latter is a particularly peculiar breed since such vehicles attempt (seldom successfully) to meld seemingly incongruent attributes, making all manner of dreadful compromises in the process. They’re heavier, slower and more expensive than their performance-slanted sedan or coupé counterparts, all while trying to hide a loftier centre of gravity. Yet, they’re hardly ever comfortable either.
That’s why I’ve developed quite an appreciation for Audi’s Q7. Despite sharing its platform with sharper-edged VW Group siblings such as the Porsche Cayenne and Lamborghini Urus, Ingolstadt’s second-generation luxury SUV has no performance pretensions, notwithstanding the appearance of words such as “dynamic” and “sporty” in the marketing material. Just like the pre-facelift version, the refreshed Q7 majors in comfort, luxury and refinement. As with the outgoing range – which debuted in South Africa in September 2015 – there’s just a single-engine derivative on offer in the form of the 45 TDI, which draws urge from a 3,0-litre V6 turbodiesel.
So, what does this mid-cycle update bring? Well, for one, the starting price has increased to R1 520 000, up considerably. Audi says this is partly because of exchange rate woes (thanks, COVID-19) but also points out it has bolstered the list of standard features. To be fair, the Q7 is still priced either in line with or below its direct rivals.
Although the exterior styling makeover is by no means minor – led by a fresh grille, redesigned headlamps and a chrome strip linking the revised taillamps – it is inside where Audi has made the greatest changes. The Q7 ditches the old infotainment architecture in favour of the latest stacked twin-touchscreen arrangement, complete with Audi Connect and complemented by a configurable digital instrument cluster.
ROAD TEST: Audi SQ8 TDI quattro Tiptronic
As a reminder, the upper 10,1-inch display covers infotainment and navigation, while the 8,6-inch arrangement sited directly below takes care of climate control and other convenience functions. As we pointed out in our July 2019 test of the Q8, the touchscreen-based system is pleasing to look at (when it’s not covered in fingerprints) but isn’t the most user-friendly on the move, even though Audi has added haptic feedback. Give me tactile physical buttons any day of the week.
Still, the Q7’s cabin again features a pleasing mix of solid build quality and impressive passenger (plus packing) space and this latest revision has added yet more technology. As before, the SUV ships standard in a five-seater guise, although there is a more expensive option to fit two extra pews at the rear, complete with an electric folding function and Isofix anchors. Either way, it’s eminently practical.
With adaptive air suspension on the standard model but available at “no cost” on the S line variant, our test unit delivered a suitably supple ride, in spite of the optional 21-inch alloys wrapped in 285/40 rubber. The suspension upgrade enables drivers to vary ground clearance at the prod of a button and the rear-wheel steering lends this five-plus-metre-long SUV a welcome degree of agility at parking speeds.
on refinement and comfort that
ultimately defines it.
What about the powertrain? While the familiar six-cylinder unit is untouched, still delivering 183 kW and 600 N.m to all four corners via a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, that needn’t be seen as a negative. It’s a lovely, creamy oil-burner, offering a pleasing mix of low-down shove and open-road refinement. The Q7 isn’t the sort of SUV you feel the need to hustle along when the tarmac turns twisty. It prefers to float calmly in Comfort mode, munching mile after mile with quiet competency.
