Pretty darn brisk
THE NEW AUDI SQ7 IS A POWERHOUSE OF AN SUV.
LET’S DIVE STRAIGHT INTO IT AND SEE HOW GOOD IT IS.
On the outside, the standard Q7 has been given a stylistic nip and tuck by Audi’s S department, giving you a more square-jawed looking front and rear, along with a set of blasting tailpipes. The HD Matrix LED headlights also look the business.
Under the bonnet lies a 4.0-litre V8 Bi-Turbo diesel engine with 320kW/900Nm of torque, mated to Audi’s excellent eight-speed Tiptronic box sending that epic grunt to all four wheels by quattro all-wheel drive.
Inside, Audi’s latest gen MMI infotainment system and virtual cockpit is just as slick as ever and the nav utilises Google Earth, which gives you accurate traffic reports.
The SQ7 is also a full seven-seater, with the rear seats folding away to reveal a cavernous boot.
You can raise and lower the car at will thanks to air suspension.
Having the 20-inch wheels over the optional 22s makes for a softer ride.
Audi’s ride comfort has certainly improved from previous generations, with the SQ7 soaking up all the bumps with considerable ease.
Plant boot and 900Nm of torque comes in one big lump above 1600rpm, resulting in this leather-clad cathedral reaching the national limit in 4.8 seconds, which is pretty darn brisk in anyone’s book.
There is a slight delay as the turbo pressure builds but if you leave it in sport, the power delivery is more seamless.
The V8 burble is torrent of symphonic bliss but somewhat subdued compared to the previous gen.
The SQ7 is a hefty fella, but despite the girth, it can corner and handle the bends very well indeed, thanks to four-wheel steering which comes into play while at speed.
The rear wheels turn in the same direction as those at the front, allowing you to eat up copious amounts of bendy bitumen, all with as little body roll as possible.
The SQ7 is also a peach when soaking up motorway miles; the level of quietness and refinement while cruising at the national limit is almost peerless.
Prices start at $184,900 and even in standard spec, the new SQ7 is a great all-rounder of a premium SUV, but the extra grunt and sportier edge takes a great package and runs with it, putting it squarely on anyone’s SUV shortlist.
