Despite being the biggest sports utility vehicle on our roads, the Audi Q7 hasn’t been noticed and has generally been flying under the radar in the three years it’s been around.
To address this, it’s just been given a visual fillip.
The facelift is a subtle one, with the addition of Audi’s now-customary look-at-me daytime running lights in the headlamps.
The indicator lamps and some bits of the tail lamps now feature LED.
Perhaps more significantly, equipment level is up and all Q7s come with gigantic 20-inch wheels, along with an S-Line body kit (not shown), all to sharpen the Q7’s looks and reduce its hulking mien, although it’s still not svelte by any means.
There aren’t any major changes inside either – just the judicious addition of some chrome bits and improved MMI graphics.
Otherwise, the cabin ambience and layout remain as before: unadventurously styled but cohesive.
The Q7 remains the big, comfy all-purpose luxury liner that it has always been. It’s considerably bigger than the SUV norm (it’s up there in A8 territory length-wise).
All that size translates into a cavernous cabin, at least for the occupants of the first two rows, where there’s plenty of room.
It theoretically seats seven in a 2-3-2 configuration, with the last row of seats folding flat into the boot floor when they’re not needed.
But despite the cabin’s size, the last row is still decidedly economy class.
Even with the middle row sliding as far forward as it’ll go, legroom for an adult in the third row is tight. And while there are dedicated air-con vents for the middle row, the backbenchers don’t get any.
The engine options are unchanged but the Q7 now comes with energy-regeneration technology of sorts. During coasting and braking, the car’s kinetic energy is transformed into electrical energy, which is stored in the battery – not quite hybrid technology, but a good start nevertheless.
We sampled the 3.6-litre, and even in this base guise, it’s impressive.
The engine is smooth-spinning and emits a distant but stirring snarl as revs rise. Even at low revs, it is very keen despite the Q7’s 2.2-tonne weight.
But all that weight is evident in corners and under heavy braking, when the Q7 does roll and pitch noticeably. That said, the ride and damping are excellent. And when cruising, the cabin is a hushed cocoon.
Best, then, to treat the Q7 as an immensely spacious 5-seater luxury car – an alternative to an S-Class or 7 Series.
Seen in this light, it’s an excellent proposition. Perhaps it’s time to take notice of this big Audi.
2009 Audi Q7 3.6 (A)
ENGINE 3597cc, 24-valves, V6
MAX POWER 250bhp at 6200rpm
MAX TORQUE 360Nm at 2500-5000rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic with manual select
TOP SPEED 225km/h
CONSUMPTION 7.87km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE $249,900
