2018 Audi Q7 Review

Detailed Review

The Audi Q7 is a seven-seater luxury SUV that has been in production for two generations. The first generation codenamed 4L was manufactured from 2005 to 2015. Although lacking a low-range transfer case, it has a permanent four-wheel drive system with a central locking differential, and a self-leveling air suspension with Continuous Damping Control, called adaptive air suspension, which helps in off-road situations.

The second generation which was dabbed 4M started its production in 2015 and it is still in production. The plug-in hybrid codenamed Q7e-tron was also released to the public. It is powered by a 3.0-liter TDI V6 turbo-diesel engine mated with an electric motor-generator placed in the 8-speed automatic gearbox to provide a maximum output power of 190 kW and a maximum torque of 600.

The 2018 Audi Q7 comes with three engine options, a 2.0 L (Diesel), 3.0 L (Hybrid),  and 3.0 L (Diesel) all mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

2018 Audi Q7 Grades

1. Premium Plus- This entry grade comes with rear defrost, rear spoiler, cruise control, Keyless start, remote trunk release, rain-sensing wipers, power door locks, auto-dimming side mirrors, side exit warnings, interior ambient lighting, and blind spot monitoring.
2. Premium- This grade comes with a panoramic sunroof, vehicle anti-theft system, keyless start, luggage rack, rear parking aid, adjustable steering wheel, heated steering wheel, mirror memory, pedestrian detection, and automatic braking.
3. Prestige- This grade comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, a backup camera, Auto-off headlights, intermittent wipers, keyless control, rain-sensing wipers, mirror memory, and a 19-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system.

Interior

Legroom & Space

Audi has a reputation for producing automobiles with explicit and compelling interiors. The 2018 Audi Q7 is no exception.

The interior of the Q7 is quite and neatly organized. The dashboard is lovely and low, which helps with visibility, and you are able to obscure the infotainment screen for an even better forward view. The first row has plenty of space, with plenty of headroom and legroom. The second row also has plenty of knee and headroom. The third row is the most arduous. It’s best suited for pets or children because individuals will be clamoring for more head- and legroom even with the second seat moved forward. The third row disappears into the floor with the press of a button, hence offering more space.

Cabin Storage

The 2018 Audi Q7 contains numerous compartment storage that can be utilized to store items such as keys, beverages, and documents. Two cupholders, a glovebox, a center console, and bottle storage are available in the first row.

Two cupholders mounted on the center armrest, bottle storage, and jacket pockets are available in the second row. Bottle storage is as well available in the third row.

Boot Space

The 2018 Audi Q7 has a cargo area of 14.8 cubic feet with all seats in place, 37.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 71.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.

Exterior

The 2018 Audi Q7’s front end features a single-frame grille with the Audi four-ringed insignia affixed on it. The headlights are all LED, which comes standard on the Prestige model. Other trim levels have xenon headlights with daytime running lights.

The rear appearance is stunning. The tail lights have a really nice design. A dual horizontal exhaust is positioned inside a silver diffuser at the bottom of the bumper.

2018 Audi Q7 Safety Features

The 2018 Audi Q7 features SRS Airbags, Curtain airbags, DCS and TCS, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Pre-crash Safety System, Radar Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Pedestrian Warning, Lane Departure Alert, Frontal Collision Warning, Automatic High Beam, Run Flat tires, Active Roll Stabilization, and Electronic Damping Control.

2018 Audi Q7 Fuel Consumption

2018 Audi Q7 2.0 L diesel engine consumption-  12.1 km/l on average

2018 Audi Q7 3.0 L diesel engine consumption-  10.9 km/l on average

2018 Audi Q7 3.0 hybrid engine consumption-  14.6 km/l on average

2018 Audi Q7 Acceleration

2018 Audi Q7 2.0 L diesel accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.9 secs

2018 Audi Q7 3.0 L diesel accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.7 secs

2018 Audi Q7 3.0 L hybrid accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.5 secs

2018 Audi Q7 Fuel Tank Capacity: 100 liters

Ground Clearance

The 2018 Audi Q7 has a ground clearance of 8.2 inches.

Service Intervals

Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil.

Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

Spare Parts and Availability

Service parts are fairly priced and available in major towns in Kenya. Body parts are expensive and mostly available in Nairobi

Stability And Handling

The steering wheel on the 2018 Audi Q7 is quite sensitive, especially on curved pathways, and it can be electronically shifted to meet the driver’s preferred position. Front and rear air suspensions provide an incredibly pleasant and smooth ride, resulting in little vibrations in the interior.

It also has a number of safety features that serve to improve its stability and handling. They include electronic stability control (ESC), which prevents the Audi from skidding or rolling over on slick roads, and traction control (TC), which prevents the wheels from spinning when accelerating or driving in slick weather.

Reliability

The 2018 Audi Q7 is regarded as a dependable crossover SUV. It has a high ground clearance and hence can easily handle off-road terrain.

Electrical systems, which govern practically the whole car, are one of the most commonly reported problems with the 2018 Audi Q7.

Refer to the Audi Q7 buyer guide for a thorough dependability report. We also urge that you always follow the instructions in the owner’s manual.

Resale Value: Average

Audi Q7 Competitors:  BMW X7, Porsche Cayenne, Lincoln Aviator, Volvo XC90, Mercedes Benz GLE, Cadillac Escalade, Acura MDX, and Lexus GX 460.

What we like about the 2018 Audi Q7

Fast acceleration from the optional V6 engine

User-friendly features

Exceptional interior materials and build quality

Composed ride and handling

What we don’t

Cramped third row

Best infotainment features aren’t standard

Conclusion

The 2018 Audi Q7 is an upscale family hauler with a dynamic, polished driving personality and a tech-focused cabin.