Say hello to…
…the updated Audi Q7, a large seven-seat SUV. The premium SUV has been given a mid-life makeover to bring it in line with the latest Audi styling as well as bring enhanced tech. While fewer and fewer new diesels are sold each year, Audi has retained two 3.0-litre diesel options for the Q7 (as well as several petrol options) because in this sector of the market, there’s still demand.
There are three trim levels:
- S-line
- Black Edition
- Vorsprung
Standard equipment on the S-line includes 20-inch alloys, matrix LED headlights, adaptive air suspension, drive modes, self-locking centre differential, S-line styling kit, privacy glass, powered tailgate, Isofix on six seats, leather upholstery, two-zone climate control, wireless charging, twin touchscreens, virtual cockpit, 2x USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satnav, cruise control with speed limiter, 360-degree parking camera and sensors and lane departure warning.
Black Edition adds 21-inch alloys, adaptive sport suspension and black styling kit.
Vorsprung adds 22-inch alloys, all-wheel steering, uprated headlights, uprated rear lights, panoramic sunroof, sports seats and a B&O sound sytem.
Is the Audi Q7 suitable for my fleet
Drivers will want to run the Q7 under a cash for car options due to the 37% BIK band rating for the diesel. However, for employees needing both the room and the range of a diesel – for instance for towing or occasional light off-roading – the diesel Q7 makes a lot of sense. With a fuel tank capacity of 82 litres, and our real-world fuel consumption of 32.7mpg, the Q7 will go almost 600 miles between fill-ups. We also saw near 40mpg for efficiency on a steady motorway run, which would take that range above 700 miles.
While the Q7 is a seven-seater, most will use it with five seats up and take advantage of the massive 740 litre boot. Even in seven-seat mode there’s still plenty of room for a week’s shopping in the boot.
Leasing a Audi Q7
Intelligent Car Leasing is offering the Q7 50 TDI in top Vorsprung trim for £1,197 a month on a 3+36 contract with 10,000 miles a year. Forecast maintenance costs run to £99 a month, according to Gensen Reports.
Driving a Audi Q7
Audi’s Q7 is far more capable than perhaps most drivers would give it credit for. Yes, the Q7 is a luxury SUV that will seat seven with ease, or five and a holiday’s worth of luggage. Yes, the interior is of impressively high quality both for the construction and the materials. And it’s wonderfully refined and comfortable both around town or on a motorway. The 3.0-litre diesel is also pretty quiet on a cold start.
But where the Audi shows it’s gone the extra mile with the Q7 is beyond those bounds.
As standard the Q7 is equipped with the tech that will allow it to be driven off-road. There are two dedicated drive modes for those needing more grip. The first is labelled ‘allroad’ which raises the suspension slightly and sets the traction for more slippery surfaces. The second mode, labelled ‘offroad’, puts the suspension to its highest level and further improves the grip for off road driving.
FleetandLeasing.com tested the systems out on rutted, gravelly and steep tracks and nothing phased the Q7.
At the other end of the spectrum, on sweeping B-roads, the Q7, in sport mode, would offer hot-hatch rivalling performance. Ultimately the car’s mass and size mean it isn’t quite as fun as a hot-hatch, but it’s not far off.
It’s this sheer breadth of talent that more than justifies the monthly lease rate.
FleetandLeasing.com verdict on the Audi Q7
Diesel still has a place in fleet and the Q7 not only shows why, but it also shows how all-round capable a car in this class can be.
Audi Q7
- Model: Q7 50 TDI quattro Vorsprung
- Power: 286hp
- Torque: 600Nm
- Max speed: 150mph
- 0-62mph: 6.1s
- Official mpg: 35.3mpg
- Test mpg: 32.7mpg
- CO2 emissions: 209g/km
- BIK tax band 2021/22: 37%
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