Topic: 2007 Audi Q7

[si]

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/previews/61411/audi_q7_fsi.html





Gorgeous.  Finally a VW/Audi vehicle that fits its grille. 

But what SUV would you buy with +/- $100000?  Porsche to go fast? Range Rover to look like you go off road? Hummer to go off road?  Caddy to spin rims?  VW?

[mdxtasy]

That looks very nice indeed.  The side shot makes it look kind of long but the interior is typical Audi, classy and clean.  Not sure I'd be interested in the V8. 

[ovr50]

IMO Audi is answering a question that no one was asking. Sure it may be nice, but why not just get the Cayenne?

 

[Snowman]

IMO Audi is answering a question that no one was asking. Sure it may be nice, but why not just get the Cayenne?

 

  Exactly…….If I had that amount of money to spend on an SUV I would not look at the Q and the Porsche would be my only option.

[Shnak]

For that kind of money, I would personally buy the Touareg TDI... 553 lb-ft that consumes carburant like a ~200 lb-ft Highlander? It'd be the first vehicle I bought if I was millionaire overnight, without a doubt!

I'd rather buy a VW that has merits because of the vehicle than a Porsche just for the badge and image. And I like the look of the Touareg a heck of a lot more than the Q7 or Cayenne... In fact, I honestly think that the Touareg is the most attractive SUV on the market!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

It's not $100,000. SUVs and luxury cars and cars in general in Europe cost more than they do here, so you can't straight convert it. I don't know the prices of Touaregs in Europe, but they're up there. And it's the best selling SUV of it's type over there regardless.

It's going after the X5 and Cayenne. It'll be priced a bit above the Touareg, but not much... Probably $65 - 85, but depends on what engines they're bringing. A V8 Touareg at $67 or ML-V8 or X5 4.8is are all in that range, as opposed to a Lexus LX 470 or Range Rover or Cayenne S (with options) or Turbo at $90+. Heck, even the super pricey Touareg V10 TDI was about $88 in early '05 (was $85 in '04).

It's hard to know, because it appears Audi is not offering the engine option that would generate most sales in Canada - a V6 FSI. And while I think they would like to price it under $65Gs to start, Touareg pricing is far too stiff here IMO. The VW should be $4-8,000 less than it is.

Anywho, if you've been in a Touareg or Cayenne you know the rear and trunk are a little tight given the size, price, weight, and thirstiness of the engine. The Q7 is stretched and offers a small 3rd row, which should help it compete better. The rear looks kind of odd to me, and there's a lack of wood trim in the interior for my taste, but otherwise I like the vehicle.

www.audi.com/q7 for the Q7 world site.
http://www.fourtitude.com/news/publish/Audi_News/article_1573.shtml article.

EDIT: HOT TAMOLLY!!! What do you know? I just checked the VW.ca site and VW has lowered the price of the Touareg in Canada. It's also detailed in the CD.com Buyer's Guide http://www.canadiandriver.com/overviews/2006/volkswagen/touareg.php. If they could have pushed the base to $49,995 it would have been worth it  , but better than nothing. Maybe they're making way for sharper Q7 pricing after all!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Seems the Touareg's updated V6 FSI is in the works for the Q7 as well...
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Vehicle_Reviews/SUVs_Wagons/Preview_2007_Audi_Q7.S181.A9392.html

Pricing shouldn't be an issue.

[Shnak]

VW really should drop their 3.2L V6 from the Touareg lineup and directly go to the new 3.6L V6 as its base engine... With that engine and the 6-speed Tiptronic transmission, it would be a blast to drive! And at $50k, I think it's quite good value compared to a MDX or RX330.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

That's what they are doing. Should be available by late Winter I think. The current V6 is limited avail for the first part of the model year until the new 3.6 FSI comes onboard in Dec/Jan. More power, hopefully with fuel economy more in-line with competitors. Even 2mpg would look much better for it.

[Bullet Blue]

For that kind of money, I would personally buy the Touareg TDI... 553 lb-ft that consumes carburant like a ~200 lb-ft Highlander? It'd be the first vehicle I bought if I was millionaire overnight, without a doubt!

shnak buying an SUV 

[random006]

VW really should drop their 3.2L V6 from the Touareg lineup and directly go to the new 3.6L V6 as its base engine... With that engine and the 6-speed Tiptronic transmission, it would be a blast to drive! And at $50k, I think it's quite good value compared to a MDX or RX330.

50K?!? 

I thought the Touareg was in the mid sixties, before taxes!  At least that's what it was when it was introduced.

As far as the Audi goes, nice ride but if it's going to be as expensive as some here have said, I'll pass.

[Shnak]

For that kind of money, I would personally buy the Touareg TDI... 553 lb-ft that consumes carburant like a ~200 lb-ft Highlander? It'd be the first vehicle I bought if I was millionaire overnight, without a doubt!

shnak buying an SUV 

Hey I loved my CR-V while I had it, and will most likely get another SUV to complement our Jetta when we're done paying for it.

I don't mind SUVs that are fuel efficient... so for that reason alone, I like pretty much all small-SUVs, and anything diesel or hybrid... even the Jeep Liberty diesel is pretty cool! I'd love to test drive one!

[Shnak]

VW really should drop their 3.2L V6 from the Touareg lineup and directly go to the new 3.6L V6 as its base engine... With that engine and the 6-speed Tiptronic transmission, it would be a blast to drive! And at $50k, I think it's quite good value compared to a MDX or RX330.

50K?!? 

I thought the Touareg was in the mid sixties, before taxes!  At least that's what it was when it was introduced.

WAS is the keyword here... as siraqua pointed out, the base price of the Touareg is now at $50,790 for the 3.2L V6. Let's hope it remains at that price when the 3.2L is replaced with the new 3.6L VR6. It would be an excellent purchase at that price!

[sirAQUAMAN64]

It was intro'd in '03 at: $52,100 for the V6 and $60,550 for the V8.
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/030107-16.htm

In '04, it went to: $53,520 V6, $63,310 V8, $85,400 V10 TDI

In '05: $55,010 (220hp, same as '03), $67,200, $88,040
I had thought mid-year I saw on VW.ca the V6 had gone to $67 base!!! (at which point I just gave up, but maybe I was mistaken)

In '06: $50,790 (upgraded to 240hp), $63,800, and no V10 TDI because VW withdrew it from the North American market b/c the EPA took issue with an additive VW used to treat the exhaust system of the vehicle. Word is the TDI returns later in '06MY, but that's not official. Dec/Jan the 3.6L FSI should replace the 3.2L, producing 276hp with slightly better mileage.

Know we're off topic here with Q7, but just clarifying. The Touareg was too expensive for most people (and still is a bit), but overall is one heck of a solid, capable, and luxurious SUV. Quality is much higher on the '05+'s than in '03/04. The reduction in price is both a realization that few would buy it over an ML or RX or X5 for similar coin, and I bet also to make way for the Q7 to be price competitive in the marketplace (even tho it'll be larger inside than most all of it's competitors, from the sounds of it).

[G0dspd]

The Audi Q7 is designed to be more "civilized" than the Touareg.  It doesn't have low-range gearing, locking differentials and a transfer case ... probably to make it lighter.  IMO it looks like an Audi minivan on steroids ... wouldn't want that in my driveway. ( maybe hide it in the garage if I got it for free  )

[inco]

I like the look of the VW better than the other two. But they are tanks and really will go off road. VW intentionally designed them that way for those people who want it to do everything. It isn't a poseur.

Making it do do all those things though adds weight and that's my biggest rub with it. I don't plan on or need to have a vehicle that is so capable - it ends up costing more to operate. For those who need it that's great but that's why the Highlander/Murano are more appealing - to me.

[ovr50]

Good point, Inco, how I feel also 

None of the three would be my choice even if I had the money for them.

[Shnak]

Good point, Inco, how I feel also 

None of the three would be my choice even if I had the money for them.

Yeah we know you'd rather stick with a no-fun Highlander...   

But seriously, if you could afford a $60k-80k SUV, would you guys really care about higher operating costs? Of course a Touareg, Cayenne or Q7 will cost more to operate than a Highlander... You can say that about a Porsche or BMW when compared to a Civic, Corolla or Echo too... does that mean a Porsche or BMW are bad buys? I don't think so...

Different strokes for different folks.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Q7 is supposed to seriously challenge the BMW as the performance SUV in that segment.

Actually, word is they will have a sport version QUICKER than the Cayenne Turbo. Don't know if this is an S-version or if it will use the V10 FSI (now in the S8) or what.

[jeeper]

...even the Jeep Liberty diesel is pretty cool! I'd love to test drive one!

 

I would buy a Cayenne over it...