2018 Audi Q7 Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
What's New for 2018?
Not much is new on the 2018 Audi Q7 since the vehicle was just revamped for 2017. Only a few minor changes have been made to the equipment on specific trim levels.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Audi Q7 – The Pros
1. High-Quality Interior Materials
One glance inside of the 2018 Audi Q7 will let you know that you are about to slide into a luxury vehicle. Absolutely everything looks to be crafted from only the highest-quality materials. Nothing looks like a cheap attempt at luxury, as the aluminum trim and wood paneling feel incredibly durable and look attractive paired together.
2. Superb Ride Quality
The 2018 Audi Q7 has a best-in-class ride quality that leaves its competitors in the dust. Even the base trim's suspension feels incredibly refined. For supreme comfort, check out the optional air suspension. You can easily switch between modes to find what works best for you, and the ride will stay quiet the entire time.
3. Many Advanced Safety and Tech Features
Numerous advanced safety and technological features have been equipped on the Q7. These features include a standard 7-inch touchscreen display, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, remote start, a minimum of two USB ports, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and, on the base trim, the Audi Pre-Sense Basic collision mitigation system.
4. Swift Acceleration
On the optional 3.0-L V6 supercharged engine, you will get an impressive 333 hp. This amount of sheer power gets the 2018 Audi Q7 from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 5.9 seconds, which is one of the speediest times for a midsize SUV.
5. Top-Notch Braking
The Q7's brakes feel solid and secure, erasing all of the guesswork as to how they might perform in an emergency stop. The Q7 has an incredibly short stopping distance of 112 feet from 60 mph. The pedal has just the right amount of firmness, so you don't have to worry about pressing it to the floor.
6. Optional Four-Wheel Steering
Steering on the Q7 is made even better with optional four-wheel steering. This set-up makes it much easier to maneuver the SUV through densely-packed parking lots and keeps the vehicle stable at higher speeds.
7. Surprisingly Solid Handling
Handling on the Q7 is shockingly fluid. The vehicle is nimble and athletic, and when you flip it to Dynamic mode, you will maximize the vehicle's handling abilities. Body roll feels well-controlled, especially in Dynamic mode.
8. A User-Friendly Interior Design
The entire cabin is extremely user-friendly, which can be difficult to find in luxury vehicles that place a ton of emphasis on high-tech gadgets. Every knob and button is clearly labeled and intuitively placed. It won't take most drivers too long to get acquainted with the control setup.
9. Excellent Visibility
Forward, rear, and side visibility are superb on the Q7. The vehicle is large enough to allow the driver a great view of what is in front of them, and the 360-degree camera that comes on the Prestige provides a good idea of what is going on around the vehicle.
10. Audi's MMI Infotainment System
Audi's MMI infotainment system is truly the cherry on top. While many automakers are continuously having to work out multiple kinks in their infotainment systems, Audi seems to have theirs pretty well-figured-out. The system seems designed with non-tech-savvy users in mind, and you shouldn't have to worry about dropped connections or oddball technical glitches.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Audi Q7 – The Cons
1. A Lack of Cargo Space
The biggest drawback is that the 2018 Audi Q7 has a noticeable lack of cargo space compared to many of its competitors. With all seats in place, you get a minimum of 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space. The maximum amount of cargo space you can get is 71.6 cubic feet. For a vehicle in this class, that is a bit below average.
2. Many Options Aren't Available On the Base Trim
The base trim lacks quite a few desirable options. The only packages available for it are the Cold Weather and MMI Navigation Plus packages. While these packages offer some great features, it would be nice to see Audi come up with a few more packages for the base trim in the future.
3. Not A Lot of Small Storage Spaces
There aren't that many small storage spaces in the cabin, which is a little shocking given the vast amount of physical space available. Passengers will have to come up with some creative ways to store tablets, cell phones, and smaller items.
4. The Third Row is Too Small For Child Safety Seats
Plan on latching your little ones into the second row since the third row is way too cramped for child safety seats. Luckily, the pull tabs in the second row are incredibly easy to reach and use.
How it stacks up to the competition:
2018 Audi Q7 vs. 2018 Volvo XC90
One of the best-selling competitors for the Q7 is the 2018 Volvo XC90. This luxury SUV is extremely chic, has plenty of room in the second and third rows, and incorporates a massive amount of standard safety and technological features. On the downside, the XC90 has some faulty touchscreen buttons, doesn't get a very good fuel economy, and has a less-than-impressive ride quality.
2018 Audi Q7 vs. 2018 BMW X5
Another top contender for this year is the 2018 BMW X5. This SUV has multiple engine options (including a somewhat efficient diesel option), is fun to drive, and has a great amount of interior space. However, it, too, suffers from a cramped third row and is somewhat boring to look at.
Conclusion
The 2018 Audi Q7 is being hailed as one of the most user-friendly luxury vehicles to hit the market this year. It's easy to see why many people are gushing over this vehicle. It is loaded with features, especially on the higher-level trims. It also has one of the most refined and comfortable ride qualities out there.
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