Audi's->ke14 resident luxury SUV, the Q7->ke1083, is returning with a 2014 model that features plenty of enhancements, giving the SUV a powerful and progressive design combined with functional spaciousness that's much needed in the market these days.

It's a little hard to believe that the Q7 is a relatively young model, having made its debut only 8 years ago at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. Since then, though, it has come to define the German automaker's SUV offerings, spawning the Q5->ke1666 and the Q3->ke2666 along the way.

Make no mistake; the Q7 still has its hands full against some stellar competition in the form of the BMW X5->ke326 and the Mercedes GL-Class->ke402. The former, in particular, is a new-generation model that wants nothing more than to stake claim in the supremely competitive luxury SUV market. The latter's got some take in it, too, so you can't just brush both these SUVs aside when you're thinking about the Q7.

That being said, Audi appears to be confident in its treatment of the 2014 Q7, including the plethora of exterior and interior upgrades that owners can truly appreciate.

Click past the jump to read about the 2014 Audi Q7

2014 Audi Q7

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Audi Q7
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 280 @ 4920
  • Torque: 295 @ 2250
  • Transmission: eight-speed Tiptronic automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

If there's one takeaway we have from the exterior look of the Q7, it's that it's pretty well proportioned. There aren't any unnecessary protrusions that take away from the balanced and tasteful look of the SUV.

The front end of the Q7 also gives a more pronounced look to the SUV, particularly the enormous front grille that only seems to get bigger with age. The usual array of LED lights are still present as are the Q7's sophisticated curves and its sweeping roofline, providing the necessary aesthetic appeal that highlights the SUV's overall sophistication.

Plus, you get a choice of different colors, including Night Black, Scuba Metallic, and Carrara White.

Exterior Specifications

Trims

3.0T

TDI

S-Line

Wheelbase (in)

118.2

118.2

118.2

Length (in)

200.3

200.3

200.3

Height (in)

68.4

68.4

68.4

Width (in)

78.1 / 85.7 (with mirrors)

78.1 / 85.7 (with mirrors)

78.1 / 85.7 (with mirrors)

Track front/rear (in)

65.0/66.0

65.0/66.0

65.0/66.0

Curb Weight (lbs)

5,192

5,412

5,412

Ground Clearance (loaded) (in)

8.1

8.1

9.4

Drag Coefficient

0.37

0.37

0.37


Interior

The smorgasbord of high-end luxury details is still present in the elegantly styled cabin of the Q7. No surprises there. What did come as a moderate surprise was the cabin's less cluttered look with all of its buttons and equipment neatly arranged and designed without any excess of style.

Features likewise abound inside the cabin of the Q7, including the 12-way power front seats with four-way power lumbar adjustment and adjustable head restraints, comfortably seating as many as seven passengers. There's also a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System, a four-zone climate control system, and a tilt and telescopic electrically adjustable steering column that comes as standard on Premium Plus models.

If space was any question, the Q7's cabin answers it emphatically when the second and third row seats are folded, providing as much as 72.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the process.

Interior Specifications

Headroom (in, front / middle / rear)

39.5 / 39.0 / 35.6

Headroom Sunroof (in, front / middle / rear)

40.0 / 37.2 / 35.4

Legroom (in, front / middle / rear)

41.3 / 37.1 / 29.2

Shoulder Room (in, front / middle / rear)

58.7 / 58.1 / 48.6

Luggage Capacity (cu. ft)

10.9

Luggage Capacity (3rd row folded) (cu. ft)

42.0

Luggage Capacity (2nd + 3rd row folded ) (cu. ft)

72.5

Total Trunk Volume (cu. ft)

144.1

Seating Capacity

7


Drivetrain

The 2014 Audi Q7 retains its choice of powertrain options, including the base 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 that develops a stout 280 horsepower, good enough to hit 60 mph in 7.7 seconds. The drawback to this is that the Q7 only returns 16 mpg in the city and 22 mph on the highway. Those numbers are far from miserable, but they're not particularly impressive either given the stature and size of the SUV.

If the 3.0 supercharged V-6 version doesn't suit your taste, you can opt for the S-line version, which carries the same powertrain but has been upgraded to produce 333 horsepower and hit 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. It's going to cost an extra $13,000, but the added cost does come with a slew of new options that could make the extra money out of your pocket a little more palatable.

Lastly, a diesel Q7 is also offered in the form of a 3.0-liter turbocharged TDI that comes with its own added cost of just $5,000. The diesel only produces 240 horsepower, but the 407 pound-feet of torque it twists out gives it enough acceleration and pulling power that shouldn't be taken for granted.

All three powertrains come with quattro all-wheel drive and an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, ensuring that the Q7 is versatile enough to offer a smooth ride.

Drivetrain Specifications

Trims

3.0T

TDI

S-Line

Engine Type

V-6 engine

V-6 engine

V-6 engine

Arrangement

Front Mounted-Longitudinal

Front Mounted-Longitudinal

Front Mounted-Longitudinal

Bore (in)

3.33

3.27

3.33

Stroke (in)

3.50

3.60

3.50

Displacement (cc)

2,995 cc

2,967 cc

2,995 cc

Compression Ratio

10.5:1

16.8:1

10.3:1

Horsepower @ rpm

280 @ 4,920

240 @ 3,500

333 @ 5,500

Torque @ rpm (lb-ft)

295 @ 2,250

406 @ 1,750

325 @ 2,900

Induction / Fuel injection

Supercharged / TFSI

Turbocharged / TDI

Supercharged / TFSI

quattro tiptronic (0-60 mph)

7.7 seconds

7.7 seconds

6.9 seconds

Top Track Speed (mph)

130 mph

130 mph

130 mph


Suspension

The 2014 Q7 features a standard front double-wishbone independent steel spring suspension and available adaptive air suspension, ably uniting sporty and versatile handling with a high level of ride comfort that is of premium importance to any full-sized luxury SUV.

Pricing

The 2014 Audi Q7 has been priced as follows:

Model

Premium

Premium Plus

Prestige

Release Date

Q7 3.0T q Tiptronic

$47,700

$53,700

--

Summer 2013

Q7 3.0 S line q Tiptronic

--

--

$60,900

Summer 2013

Q7 TDI q Tiptronic

$52,900

$58,900

$64,900

Summer 2013


Competition

2013 Mercedes GL-Class

The Mercedes GL-Class looks better than the Audi Q7, that much we can tell. Audi still did its part in giving the Q7 improved looks, yet somehow it still falls short of the GL-Class' aesthetic appeal.

You also get a choice of powertrains with the GL-Class, including the GL350 BlueTEC 4MATIC with a V-6 engine that produces 240 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque; GL450 4MATIC with a twin-turbo V-8 engine that produces 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque; the GL550 4MATIC with a twin-turbo V-8 that produces 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet or torque; and the GL63 AMG with a V-8 engine that produces 550 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. These drivelines allow the Benz to hit 60 mph in 8.3 seconds, 6.2 seconds, 5.5 seconds and 4.8 seconds, respectively.

2014 BMW X5

To BMW's credit, it heeded what was becoming strong clamoring from the public to give the X5 its long overdue updates. For the most part, it accomplished that, giving its luxury SUV a slightly improved exterior design, updated interior and improved engines. The last, in particular, comes in plenty of versions, including the SDrive35i's 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo I-6 that nets 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque; the XDrive35i's 3.0-liter I-6 engine that also produces 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque; the XDrive35d's 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo Diesel that delivers 255 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque; and the XDrive50i's 4.4-liter V-8 that nets 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque.

Conclusion

In some respects, the Audi Q7 has the necessary tools to be a player in the full-sized luxury SUV segment. Its overall design is a big plus, exuding an understated yet sophisticated look that belies its performance credentials. Power options offer plenty of choices but fuel efficiency still leaves a big question. That being said, large SUVs aren't necessarily lauded for being friendly to Mother Nature, but the Q7's numbers are still pretty disappointing considering the numbers of the competition.