The inside of the S-Line, test car was pure sporty comfort as you would expect from Audi. Loads of leather combined with metallic-effect trims. There are three trim levels in all; Standard is reserved for the two V6-engined cars, while SE and S-Line are available across the board.
All Q7s have seven seats, as standard, anything else (from four to six seats) is an option. For £550, the second row of three seats can be replaced by two ‘comfort’ seats, offering extra leg and shoulder room - not that it is needed. The rearmost seats can be removed at no extra cost but it is easier to simply fold them flat into the load floor, at the same time increasing the luggage capacity from 330-litres to 775-litres.
The load platform is quite high and has a hidden compartment set into it, if all three rows are specified. However, there is a button within the boot area, which, when pressed lowers the car by 71mm, making it easier to load heavy items. Easier still is the self-close button on the underside of the lifting tailgate and, for shorter people, the height to which it opens can be preset.
The front of the cabin is divided by a tunnel-mounted, centre console that houses the non-optional 6-speed automatic gear selector, with tiptronic function. This area is unencumbered by the parking brake, which is foot operated. In its place are the air-conditioning controls, 12V socket and the MMI controller. In the ‘standard’ car, the Multi Media Interface has a monochrome display but includes a single slot CD/radio system with eight speakers. Upgrading to the MMI High costs £925 but adds a high-resolution, 7-inch colour monitor and CD autochanger, amongst other things. MMI High is also part of the £2,450 DVD Satellite Navigation system and both are included in the £2,490, Technology Pack.
The message is that although the Q7, even in its basic form, is very well equipped with everything you need, it is easy to spend a lot of money on almost anything you want. It’s just as well then, that the Q7 is just a bit less expensive than some of its rivals. Prices range from £37,980 for the 3.0 TDI V6 in standard trim, to £50,990 for the 4.2 TDI V8, S-line, which is expensive enough to discourage a lot of people from realising its full potential, by which I mean off-roading. Nevertheless, this is one of the few cars for which I would raid the piggy bank.