Reply With QuoteI love Audis, and have leased early models of both Q5 / Q7 - given the tech has moved on a lot since then I will keep my comments to a feeling I had - Q7 was like driving a hearse!!!!!
I know there have been a few threads on SUVs over the years. I've just sold my Lexus LS600h and was going to try a pre-owned RX450h as a replacement for my wife and I as we move into semi-retirement. However, she has her heart set on an Audi Q7. Having watched and read a load of reviews in the last few days, I can see why. They seem to be considered excellent in most respects.
Just wondering if anyone has an 'real world' experience of the Q7? I've also put a WTB up for one with air suspension.
I love Audis, and have leased early models of both Q5 / Q7 - given the tech has moved on a lot since then I will keep my comments to a feeling I had - Q7 was like driving a hearse!!!!!
Last edited by tintin; 4th March 2021 at 11:08.
Had a Q7 before my etron, great car and easy to drive for it’s size. Town parking is challenging tight spaces as it’s a big car. Had a couple of issues with people parking really close.
Great for cruising along on the motorway and eats long distances. Nice seats great cabin, lots of toys. Not a car for racing round a gentle safe cruiser. Has got good power but not sports car like.
Really practical but if you don’t need the seven seats. Is a very big car.
I looked at the baby brother, the Q5 but settled on a Macan S instead. Being delivered next month. Can't wait!
Had a Q7 for a bit and agree that it’s easy for its size, it doesn’t feel as big as it is.
In contrast I had the new VW Touareg and that was wide! Multi-storey car parks were a pain and had a couple of examples of being unable to get into normal sized parking spaces if the other cars had parked close to the edge of the neighbouring spaces.
Q5 doesn’t feel big, but also doesn’t have the space inside so I’d say Q7 is the one!
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If you don’t need 7 seats, have a look at a second hand Cayenne. Often specced with very luxurious extras (mine was fitted with over £35k worth!), it is the only Porsche to suffer serious depreciation. That said, it has very similar basic running gear to the Audi, but with a fit and finish streaks above. My daughter has a Q7, and I have a similar age Cayenne Diesel (same engine). Difference in purchase price of £4k....difference in feel, ambiance etc, considerable..
They are large cars though, albeit the footprint will be similar to your LS.
If its only really for the two of you, do you really need something the size of a Q7?
I'm guessing there's no point suggesting a Skoda Karoq or Kodiaq in this thread.
Having been in a very similar position myself recently (but not having finalised any purchase as I currently still have a company car), my own preference would be the latest VW Touareg.
But then who’d know that they have “considerably more money than yaw!”Originally Posted by Bravo73
(Just an opportunity to quote the Fast Show; not intended as a poke at the OP!)
Well, it's not just the two of us. We have five kids and three grandchildren all of whom we see regularly in normal circumstances (and two live at home with us).
Minibus might be better then ;-p
there is a recent trend to shun the huge SUVs and go for the posh Vito vans/minibuses, incredibly car like to drive, very comfortable and huge practical space inside.
Did think about that. But leaning towards a 5 seater now. I think the Cayenne is a good shout.
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I've not had a Q7, although been in them and did consider one some years back.
A couple of thoughts on size (!) - they are, as others have noted, extremely large. I had a Touareg that was great - also big but not quite as massive and that was fine in almost all circumstances. Years ago I had a Jag XJR (the aluminium bodied last of the "traditional style". It was too big for multi-stories and most parking spots. The turning circle made any tight manouvering very irritating (and a little embarassing), getting round those tight turns into multi-stories was just painful, and although it was a lovey place to sit in a traffic jam, it just didn't work with British roads and car parks very well.
I think a Cayenne is, although large, not quite as large as the Q7 - and those extra inchs makes all the difference...
PS - I do like Audi's and have owned a couple.
So clever my foot fell off.
I have had two Q7 in the past although a few year ago now and they were cracking cars.
The only niggle which didn't effect me as I was driving was everyone who sat in the back didn't think it was very comfortable and to be honest for the size of the car not loads of room.
Good call IMHO. I ran a Macan s for 18 months until (A) a need for more space and (B) A need to keep my licence drove me up a size or two. Opted for an xc90 petrol, fabulous bang for the buck with amazing spec, adequate performance, and none of the brand association of Audi.
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I had a serious look at the Macan, but found the interior quite tight for a car of its size, particularly so in terms of rear legroom. All else was great.....other than price...they are extremely popular, and residuals are commensurately strong. Must say that the handling of both Macan and Cayenne are astonishing for cars of such bulk. Further, my Cayenne, admittedly riding on air suspension, though offset by stupidly large wheels, is the most comfy car I have ever driven (having had a variety of Volvos, Jags and Mercs previously).... the seats are also superb.
I average about 40mpg too (majority on A roads and motorways).....
I had a Q5 TFSi, the worst car I ever owned and a money pit. Oddly I drove a Lexus RX and bought the Audi instead - what a fool I was, the Audi boot was a bit bigger but I should’ve bought the Lexus. I bought a TT later, that was a money pit too. I’m not buying another VAG group car again. My two BMW’s were great, maybe an X5 would suit.
We are trying to decide whether air suspension on a Cayenne is an essential option. We've not been able to try one with and one without (for obvious reasons). Any thoughts? FWIW, we are looking for a comfortable ride as we are in our 50s and are no going to be haring around Cheshire in it! So, I'm thinking that the answer is probably yes, it is a required option for us.
Who isn't?
Anyhow, back to cars, most seem pretty firmly sprung these days, especially if they have run-flat tyres, so definitely worth considering the air suspension.
So clever my foot fell off.
Frankly, as long as you stay away from drug-dealer size wheels, I think normal suspension would be more than adequate. However, big wheels suit the car, and having them fitted means that air suspension is a must; in my view, smaller wheels look a bit odd... Nevertheless, having just replaced the tyres at £250 per corner, perhaps slightly strange looks would be worth it!
Air suspension also allows you to switch between Comfort, Normal and Sport modes, which really do what they say....
Many of the cars were absolutely loaded with extras from new (the beauty of rich or company first owners). If you are not going to buy new, it would be well worth your while to look for one of these ‘money no object’ examples. It would appear, as ever, that the second-hand costs of both poverty (in relative terms) spec and fully loaded are not too far apart..
Lastly, buy with warranty; these are complex beasts. Mine has been totally reliable, but I breathed a sigh of relief after my trusted independent specialist gave it an in-depth once over before confirming it as in fine fettle..
Feel free to PM me if you want more specifics.
Last edited by Pete D; 5th March 2021 at 18:17.
HEhehe, love my karoq, the tiny 1.2 l engine is nothing short of miraculous in a compact SUV, easy 50 MPG even when giving it the beans on the daily school run...Liked the Kodiaq even more but couldn't justify the size/ emissions, theres' just the 3 of us. You can see the Audi DNA in them, at a fraction of the price, you'd be mad not to imho.
The clarity of the reverse cam is amazing, it even to some extent see's around corners and not just straight back.
To throw a spanner in the works, I'm very happy with my Volvo XC90, 7 seats, much bigger on the inside than it feels on the outside, surprisingly fast with the plug in hybrid engine, loads of extras.
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Thanks for that advice. Much appreciated. We are at the start of our search and I will definitely be in touch. At the moment, the enhanced front seat option, air suspension, and Bose sound system are all on the list of 'extras' that we want.
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Sensible re the suspension and seats, but the standard PCM audio is pretty (read very) good (an enhanced system will add an additional degree of rarity....so reducing potential vehicle choice).
I’d make sure it has extended leather too, whilst heated front screen, panoramic roof, and double glazing are also nice additions.
Thereafter, the world is your oyster.
Mine had almost every option ticked on purchase (including sports steering wheel with flappy paddles (unnecessary), rear DVD media package (in the headrests and great for grandkids), horrendously priced sports body kit and Turbo S wheels (which, as a package, actually looks rather nice). There are quite a few similar examples about.
Servicing via an independent specialist is pretty reasonable. Minor costs £250, and Major £350... Servicing is recommended every 20k/2 years, but I also do annual oil changes.
I’d also take a look at the XC90...no harm in comparing the two.
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I’ve had an XC60 and now a Tiguan - never needed anything bigger - but prior to that had a VW Touran which was huge inside - far more spacious than a friends XC90. If you need space get an mpv not an suv - the only downside is they look like a van, not a big macho truck
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