Bloglogo
First Drive: 2016 Audi Q7
Car Reviews

First Drive: 2016 Audi Q7

·
October 19,2015
·
3 min read

Tags:

Audi Middle East invited the media to picturesque Oman to drive the all-new Audi Q7. With plenty of slopes and bends, the roads in Oman are the perfect proving grounds to test the dynamics of the Q7. Moreover, the wadi tracks enabled us to explore the offroading prowess of this SUV. So, let’s look at this car in detail.

To start off, the new Q7 is the best looking Q7 to date. The previous gen looked too bulky and in my opinion, it was a Touareg with an Audi badge. Thankfully, with this new iteration, they have kept the distinct Audi styling with those bold lines and the head/tail lights. The new Q7 is slightly smaller from the outside but bigger from the inside. Also, it has shed a significant amount of weight as well. Combine all that and you get an aggressive bloke. 

The story continues inside as well. Audi has adopted the TT styling for Q7 interior as well with the minimalistic dash, the pop-out screen and the uber-cool digital instrument cluster. I was sold when I had gazed upon that digital dash in the TT. However, it does take time to get familiar with; as the functions are divided between steering controls and MMI. But, once you have figured out the control set, it is a breeze to browse through the various features. Add to that comfortable seating and customizable ambient lighting and you have got yourself a highly functional yet elegant interior with a premium feel. It is by far the best interior from a German manufacturer. Period.

Finally we come to the main aspect of the car – the drive. Audi has opted for a V6 only option for now. But don’t be disappointed as this supercharged V6 (producing 333 BHP and 443 lb-ft of torque) not only takes you from point A to B but it does so quickly as well. Logically speaking, it makes sense to opt for a V6 as the car is lighter and therefore doesn’t require much power to pull. Also, with the carbon emissions in mind, the V6 is the more sensible choice. We will probably come across a V8 option in the future – who knows. 

The drive route consisted of polished tarmac roads and gravel wadi tracks to test the split personality of the car. On the road, the Q7 felt like a sedan – it is that easy to drive. Keep it on ‘comfort’ mode and you won’t feel absolutely anything on the road – even road/wind noise is almost non-existent. Switch it to ‘sports’ and you can tackle the bends with élan. The aluminum chassis makes sure you stick to the road at high speed cornering with minimum body roll and amazing grip. Add to that the smooth 8 speed ZF gearbox and the punchy engine and you have enough oomph to keep you excited throughout. Going offroad, the Q7 really feels out of place as the stiff suspension makes the driver feel exhausted after a while. Though, it does perform decently in wadis, however, due to lack of low-gearing, don’t expect to take it on the dunes. It is a sporty SUV after all and not the king of the desert. 

To conclude the first impressions, I would say Audi did right by taking 6 long years of development to make this machine. Because the Q7 is a highly popular SUV and the successor really needs to be that good to carry on the mantle. And, the new Q7 has what it takes to keep the four-ringed badge held high.

For more information, please visit our 2016 Audi Q7 guide.

Got a comment? Post it below:


Do you want to sell your car for FREE?
We have everything that makes it easier for you to sell your car on our platform quickly
Sell your car 100% absolutely free on YallaMotor.
200+ Cars Sold Everyday.
115,000+ Satisfied Sellers.
500,000+ Monthly Buyers.
POPULAR TAGS

FROM THIS WEEK
Comprehensive Guide to Renew Your Driving License in Dubai
28 March 2024
|
Road Regulations
Infiniti QX80 2025: A Peek into the Future of Luxury SUVs
25 March 2024
|
New Launches
How to Sell Your Old Car Online in Dubai?
23 March 2024
|
Yallamotor Tips

Search more than 32,311 used cars in the UAE
Select Make
Select Model
Select Year

LOOKING FOR USED CARS INSTEAD?

OTHER USED CARS IN UAE