Houston Cars

The Q7 is Audi’s first entry into the world of SUV’s.  It’s admittedly a little late to the game, so it will have to impress if it wants to gain some buyers.  Is it up to the task?  Let’s take a look.  First, there are two engines available here in the US.  The V6 will leave you wanting more HP ( it puts out 280 ), while the V8 has a reasonable amount of get up and go.  350 HP should get you moving even better, but the Q7 has a whopping 5467 lbs to push around.  Ouch.  That right there is my single largest complaint - nearly 5500 pounds is entirely too much for a vehicle of this size.

If Audi offered the magnificent twin-turbo diesel option here in the states, things would be different.  Sure, the weight would still be there ( even more so actually, as diesel engines are very heavy ), but it wouldn’t matter.  See, 550 lb-ft of torque make you not care one bit about the measly 5500+ lbs.  Silly things like weight just don’t really matter when you have such a limitless pool of torque at your disposal.  Audi does have an even more ridiculously powerful diesel engine in the works for the next Q7 - a V12 rumored to put out 500 horses.  With any luck we might get a chance to tick off that option box here in the US, for the 2009 model.  Audi, we’re waiting.

2008 Audi Q7 Specs

• 280 HP 3.6 liter V6 ( Available 350 HP 4.2 liter V8 )
• Towing Capacity: 6600 lbs
• Curb weight: 5015 lbs ( V6 ), 5467 lbs ( V8 )
• EPA Says: 14 MPG city / 20 MPG highway ( V6 )

2008 Audi Q7 Reviews

Jalopnik reviews the 2008 Audi Q7 4.2 TDI and writes - ‘Unending, unquestioned, at-the-ready torque. Ask and the twin turbocharged 4.2L V8 delivers in spades. With 550 lb.ft. of torque flowing through a well programmed automatic transmission, acceleration is sure, effortless, and intoxicating. Turbo lag is limited; each turbo dedicates its compression to its own bank of cylinders. The first half inch of pedal tip-in oddly provides little or no response, but beyond that, a crush of power is at your beck and call. If you didn’t know you were driving a diesel, you would swear a well tuned gasoline V8 or even V10 was planted under the hood as the exhaust note is pure symphony.’

Car and Driver reviews the 2008 Audi Q7 and writes - ‘What’s missing, however, is soul. The Q7’s direct-injection gasoline motors in the Q7 3.6 and the Q7 4.2 are not only capable but also, when pushed, emit somewhat of a hearty, sexy growl, and by comparison the diesel V-8 feels disengaged, as if there were another pilot aboard taking care of propulsion. Yes, it is quick. Yes, it offers fuel economy (21 mpg average on the Euro combined cycle) relative to the petrol V-8. But no, it ain’t sexy in sound or fury.’

Edmunds reviews the 2008 Audi Q7 and writes - ‘The Q7 shines on pavement. Its optional adjustable air suspension helps it navigate bumps and ruts with panache, and Audi’s all-wheel-drive system keeps the wheels firmly glued to the road. The SUV is somewhat porcine, though, and this fact serves to compromise its acceleration. Additionally, drivers can expect to cough up some serious coin at the pump, since the large hauler isn’t about to win any awards for fuel efficiency. In consumer reviews, buyers praised the ute’s all-wheel drive and elegant interior, but deducted points for its less-than-pleasing fuel economy.