- 1
- 2
- 3
- next
- | single page
E-mail
Print
Many automakers abandoned their diesel plans in recent years as new-car sales tanked and diesel prices rose. Audi, however, has kept its diesel promises, which include a TDI clean-diesel version of its Q7 SUV, introduced in 2009.
The Q7 is a great fit for a diesel power plant; its excellent highway mileage is far above that of the gasoline Q7, plus the hefty SUV gets around easily with its massive amounts of diesel torque.
For 2010, the Q7 has Audi's signature, eye-catching LED running lights available. As previous-model-year Q7 drivers passed me going the opposite direction, most gazed jealously at the 2010. Yes, the lights are that noticeable, and yes, they look that cool.
TDI pros and cons
So why offer a diesel engine in a family SUV? The TDI has the highest mileage ratings in the Q7 lineup at 17/25 mpg city/highway. That's better than the gasoline six-cylinder (14/19 mpg) and eight-cylinder (13/18) offerings, but it's not tops among luxury SUVs. The 2010 BMW X5 with a diesel engine is rated higher, at 19/26 mpg, and Mercedes-Benz's ML 350 BlueTEC is comparable at 18/25 mpg. Mercedes' larger GL 350 BlueTEC rates lower, at 17/23 mpg.
Diesel engines typically log their best fuel economy during highway driving. I pulled off higher-than-advertised mileage while cruising at around 45-55 mph, when 30 mpg was a familiar sight on the trip computer's instantaneous mileage readout.
For those who don't drive on the highway, the Q7 diesel's appeal seems limited, considering its city mileage was never really impressive. Also, at 6,600 pounds, the maximum towing capacity isn't any higher with the diesel than with a gasoline engine, though I suspect the towing experience would be different -- possibly easier -- with the diesel's generous torque.
At the time I tested the Q7, diesel wasn't any cheaper than gasoline. In fact, it was 25 cents more per gallon than regular, and equal to filling up with premium. The gasoline six-cylinder Q7 takes premium. Fueleconomy.gov estimates the annual fuel cost of the diesel Q7 to be $2,235 per year; the gasoline six-cylinder will cost $2,794 per year to fill up; and the eight-cylinder is projected to cost $2,981.
When it was time to fill up in my area -- a large Chicago suburb -- diesel stations weren't along my normal commute. Having to go out of my way for go-go juice was another knock against the TDI. Again, this is situational; if you have a diesel station around the corner, then going diesel may be an easier transition. Even though I was driving in familiar areas, I quickly discovered I had no idea which stations carried diesel. Thankfully, Q7s equipped with the optional navigation system simplify the process with a diesel-station locator.
Then there are the little things about diesel ownership to consider -- like, you should also carry moist towelettes with you because diesel is very oily, and filling up often means leaving the pump a little dirtier than you were when you pulled in. And you don't want to bring nozzle grease back into the Q7's nice interior.
Diesel driving
Driving the diesel was a joy most of the time. It has just 221 horsepower, but that number isn't as important as the whopping 406 pounds-feet of torque, which moved the Q7 along effortlessly. I would actually call the diesel Q7 fun to drive -- it's at least fun to mash the accelerator pedal -- if it weren't for the inconsistent feeling of power. Sometimes when I goosed the car it accelerated almost surprisingly fast, and other times it would just fall on its face, feeling like a much less powerful vehicle.
To me, it felt like the six-speed automatic transmission could have kicked down another gear, but sometimes it just held the gear and slowly pulled away.
Interior and cargo
For a three-row, seven-seat SUV, the Q7's interior is on the smaller side, with only 104 cubic feet of passenger volume and 72.5 cubic feet of total cargo space. The small size is most apparent behind the third row, where there's minimal cargo room. Plus, the third row itself is best suited for children. I'll admit I've said that a lot when evaluating third rows, but it's especially true in the Q7. At 6 feet tall, I couldn't fit in the third row at all because of the extremely limited leg and headroom.
Our tester was loaded with options that gave some parts of the interior a very classy feel. The available Alcantara faux-suede headliner is something we don't see very often, but it's super ritzy when plastered across the ceiling.
The Q7 has an advantage is in its low-slung ride height, which provides easy entry, easy exit and easy cargo loading. With the optional air suspension, it can also be lowered closer to the ground for easier access, a function that can be controlled from either the control center up front or via buttons in the cargo area.
Features
You name it and the Q7 will likely have that feature available -- which is why the price racks up so easily. To start off, all-wheel drive is standard. There's an available adaptive air suspension with different ride height and firmness options, though the Q7 seemed to ride on the firm side regardless of suspension setting and didn't have much cushioning over rough roads. The adaptive suspension costs $2,600 but also requires adding an expensive Prestige Package that costs $10,000.
The Q7 is a great fit for a diesel power plant; its excellent highway mileage is far above that of the gasoline Q7, plus the hefty SUV gets around easily with its massive amounts of diesel torque.
For 2010, the Q7 has Audi's signature, eye-catching LED running lights available. As previous-model-year Q7 drivers passed me going the opposite direction, most gazed jealously at the 2010. Yes, the lights are that noticeable, and yes, they look that cool.
TDI pros and cons
So why offer a diesel engine in a family SUV? The TDI has the highest mileage ratings in the Q7 lineup at 17/25 mpg city/highway. That's better than the gasoline six-cylinder (14/19 mpg) and eight-cylinder (13/18) offerings, but it's not tops among luxury SUVs. The 2010 BMW X5 with a diesel engine is rated higher, at 19/26 mpg, and Mercedes-Benz's ML 350 BlueTEC is comparable at 18/25 mpg. Mercedes' larger GL 350 BlueTEC rates lower, at 17/23 mpg.
Diesel engines typically log their best fuel economy during highway driving. I pulled off higher-than-advertised mileage while cruising at around 45-55 mph, when 30 mpg was a familiar sight on the trip computer's instantaneous mileage readout.
For those who don't drive on the highway, the Q7 diesel's appeal seems limited, considering its city mileage was never really impressive. Also, at 6,600 pounds, the maximum towing capacity isn't any higher with the diesel than with a gasoline engine, though I suspect the towing experience would be different -- possibly easier -- with the diesel's generous torque.
At the time I tested the Q7, diesel wasn't any cheaper than gasoline. In fact, it was 25 cents more per gallon than regular, and equal to filling up with premium. The gasoline six-cylinder Q7 takes premium. Fueleconomy.gov estimates the annual fuel cost of the diesel Q7 to be $2,235 per year; the gasoline six-cylinder will cost $2,794 per year to fill up; and the eight-cylinder is projected to cost $2,981.
When it was time to fill up in my area -- a large Chicago suburb -- diesel stations weren't along my normal commute. Having to go out of my way for go-go juice was another knock against the TDI. Again, this is situational; if you have a diesel station around the corner, then going diesel may be an easier transition. Even though I was driving in familiar areas, I quickly discovered I had no idea which stations carried diesel. Thankfully, Q7s equipped with the optional navigation system simplify the process with a diesel-station locator.
Then there are the little things about diesel ownership to consider -- like, you should also carry moist towelettes with you because diesel is very oily, and filling up often means leaving the pump a little dirtier than you were when you pulled in. And you don't want to bring nozzle grease back into the Q7's nice interior.
Diesel driving
Driving the diesel was a joy most of the time. It has just 221 horsepower, but that number isn't as important as the whopping 406 pounds-feet of torque, which moved the Q7 along effortlessly. I would actually call the diesel Q7 fun to drive -- it's at least fun to mash the accelerator pedal -- if it weren't for the inconsistent feeling of power. Sometimes when I goosed the car it accelerated almost surprisingly fast, and other times it would just fall on its face, feeling like a much less powerful vehicle.
To me, it felt like the six-speed automatic transmission could have kicked down another gear, but sometimes it just held the gear and slowly pulled away.
Interior and cargo
For a three-row, seven-seat SUV, the Q7's interior is on the smaller side, with only 104 cubic feet of passenger volume and 72.5 cubic feet of total cargo space. The small size is most apparent behind the third row, where there's minimal cargo room. Plus, the third row itself is best suited for children. I'll admit I've said that a lot when evaluating third rows, but it's especially true in the Q7. At 6 feet tall, I couldn't fit in the third row at all because of the extremely limited leg and headroom.
Our tester was loaded with options that gave some parts of the interior a very classy feel. The available Alcantara faux-suede headliner is something we don't see very often, but it's super ritzy when plastered across the ceiling.
The Q7 has an advantage is in its low-slung ride height, which provides easy entry, easy exit and easy cargo loading. With the optional air suspension, it can also be lowered closer to the ground for easier access, a function that can be controlled from either the control center up front or via buttons in the cargo area.
Features
You name it and the Q7 will likely have that feature available -- which is why the price racks up so easily. To start off, all-wheel drive is standard. There's an available adaptive air suspension with different ride height and firmness options, though the Q7 seemed to ride on the firm side regardless of suspension setting and didn't have much cushioning over rough roads. The adaptive suspension costs $2,600 but also requires adding an expensive Prestige Package that costs $10,000.
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon