Used 2014 Audi Q7

In the crowded world of luxury SUVs, the 2014 Audi Q7 is truly one of a kind. Handsome, poised and polished, the Q7 not only delivers in the areas of pampering passengers and impressing the neighbors, its powerhouse engine lineup and taut handling make it joy to drive. Two amazing supercharged V6 gasoline engines and one turbodiesel combine with standard quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) to move the Q7 around smartly yet efficiently, in any weather, on any road. The Q7’s exterior styling is subtle but distinctive, with a wide grille and rounded corners. Unfortunately, that same styling creates a somewhat snug interior, most noticeable in the 3rd-row seat and rear cargo area.

Remaining true to Audi’s performance history, engineers gave the 2014 Q7 SUV’s quattro AWD a performance-minded rear bias. This means under normal driving about 60 percent of the engine’s torque is routed to the rear wheels. Still, even with this enhancement, there is no getting away from the Q7’s vast bulk and weight. The nimble feel of the smaller Q5 is absent here, although we found the Q7’s steering to be responsive and its body inspiringly solid. In fact, the Q7 delivers the kind of driver feedback lacking in vehicles like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. Audi’s adaptive air suspension is a worthwhile option for those seeking a smoother ride or towing heavy loads. Neither the gasoline nor diesel engines are short on power, providing remarkable thrust yet also remarkably good fuel economy.

True to recent Audi tradition, the interior is where the 2014 Q7 earns its keep. The leather is supple and elegant, and the Dark Brown Walnut wood trim is a fantastic touch. The power front seats hold the driver just so. The second row provides ample room but things get cramped in the third row. With those back two rows folded flat, there is 72 cubic feet of cargo space inside the Q7. The split-back folding seats yield more combinations (28!) than you’ll likely ever need but demonstrate Audi’s determination to coax the most out of a platform.

The 2014 Audi Q7 makes quite a statement visually. There’s no denying its heritage, with the raked windshield, huge grille and aggressive stance. The Q7 is all-Audi, to be sure, though updated body styling on its sibling Touareg and Cayenne models is making the Q7 start to look a bit dated. The S-Line Plus package’s trim additions help, but a redesign will probably be in order soon. Meanwhile, the Q7’s exterior, just like its interior, shows impeccable fit and finish and excellent quality all around.

BANG & OLUFSEN ADVANCED SOUND SYSTEM
With 14 custom-made speakers from the renowned audio brilliance of Bang & Olufsen, the Q7’s optional sound system simply needs to be heard to be believed.

3.0 TDI DIESEL
Diesel power is wedging its way into the American market at last, and Audi’s TDI deserves some credit for that. In the 2014 Q7 the new turbodiesel engine is stronger, lighter and more efficient than before, and it moves the big SUV around energetically while returning surprisingly good mpg.

The 2014 Audi Q7 is exceptionally well-equipped. The base 3.0T and TDI turbodiesel models (called Premium trim) feature rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, Audi Multimedia Interface and a power liftgate. The Premium Plus gets additional chrome pieces, a rearview camera, navigation system (standard with Audi Connect), and Bose Surround Sound system. The TDI Prestige package comes with 20-inch wheels and Audi’s Warm Weather package. Across the line, quattro AWD, electronic stability control with roll-over mitigation, and the full litany of airbags, including side-curtain airbags that protect across all three rows, are present.

The most notable option for your conventional gasoline-powered 2014 Audi Q7 is the S-Line package. Improving the feel and responsiveness of the 5,400-pound Q7, the S-Line package coaxes 333 horsepower out of the Q7’s V6 and includes a 3-panel panorama sunroof and the Warm Weather Package with 4-zone climate control. The Multimedia Navigation unit is available as on option on Premium models. Adaptive air suspension is also available, and will go a long way toward improving your Q7’s performance no matter what the surface and conditions.

The entry-level 2014 Audi Q7 is powered by a 3.0-liter supercharged gasoline V6 that delivers 280 horsepower, while the S-Line version bumps output to 333 horsepower. The 3.0-liter TDI turbodiesel pumps out 240 horsepower, but more important, its remarkable 406 lb-ft of torque available barely above idle makes it feel like a genuinely lusty powerplant launching the big Q7 from a standstill. Highway mpg for the Q7, depending upon model, ranges from 22-28, helped by the standard Tiptronic 8-speed transmission found in all models. Of course, Audi’s quattro AWD system puts down power in a stable, secure fashion.

3.0-liter supercharged V6
280 horsepower @ 4,920 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 2,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 mpg

3.0-liter supercharged V6
333 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
325 lb-ft of torque @ 2,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6
240 horsepower @ 3,750 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/28 mpg