Big crossover vehicles confuse me a little. I don’t understand why I love the 2017 Audi Q7 so much, but I do.
Audi lavished some much-need attention to Q7 for 2017, taking a chisel to an exterior that hadn’t changed in almost a decade. The sharper, more angular body looks a little less locomotive than before, with a front end that’s lower and sides that feel tucked in rather than bulging. It’s a good look and further differentiates it from corporate cousins Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg.
Audi does interiors really well, and Q7 benefits from the latest styling and technology the company has to offer. And that’s to say – really classy, sleek and attractive.
Q7 used to be offered with a choice of diesel or gasoline powerplant, but thanks to the VW diesel scandal, it’s strictly gasoline for the Q7 in the US for now. The 3.0-liter turbo V6 is no slouch, but doesn’t get the same reported fuel efficiency ratings that the diesel was famous for – dishonestly, as it turns out. Shame.
Even with all this goodness on offer, I’m still confused. The big crossover is obviously an on-road vehicle, without a hint of ruggedness anywhere. Who is it for? In my hometown of Los Angeles, I see plenty of Q7 crossovers in traffic carrying a lone driver, not the big family I’d expect. Audi’s got two smaller SUVs, the Q5 and Q3, that would seem to be better choices for commuting.
But the Q7 makes a statement – a big statement. And maybe that’s what it’s all about.
Read my 2017 Audi Q7 Test Drive And Review on Forbes.com.
Photos (c) Audi
Frank A. Aukofer
Jason Fogelson
Matthew P. Aukofer
Tod Mesirow
The Review Garage 
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