I enjoyed my time spent in the Audi Q7 55 TFSI. The model I drove had the Prestige package. That adds a $10,400 option.
The option includes; 20-inch wheels, a 3D premium sound system, driver assistance package, heads up display among others. Underneath the hood is a 3.0-liter V6 engine with an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
The V6 makes 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The cabin was gorgeous and luxurious. I loved the wood touches.
Audi is famous for its fit and finish and it’s great attention to detail. On the Q7, Audi does not disappoint. It features a nice multimedia control unit that has two digital screens.
On the top, you’re able to control things like your vehicle audio settings. On the bottom, you can control the climate. The top features a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with an 8.6-inch digital display beneath. There is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
The Q7 integrates Android Auto and Apple Carplay into the new Audi MMI interface.
It also has a wireless charger. I was able to use Android Auto and listen to our music. I always use the music we’ve done at Carnegie Mellon to benchmark sound quality. I particularly use this new song I wrote called Paradise. So I was able to listen to the Chronicles album On YouTube music. I loved the 3D audio dynamics. I got a chance to see this Multimedia interface debut in the A8 a couple of years ago at the Auto show in Frankfurt Germany.
At the debut they had an AI they were developing called the Elane in an autonomous SUV. The vehicle was able to come on to the stage by itself and the Chairman of Audi Rupert Stadler was doing the presentation. I have been fascinated by Audi’s technology, especially after I visited their factory and headquarters in Ingolstadt. The Q7 doesn’t have Elaine level Autonomous driving capability but it is level 2 capable.
Audi has made a concerted effort to boost its connected car platform. Audi offers Audi connect care and Audi connect prime as standard on this model. Audi connect provides roadside and emergency assistance. With Audi’s Prime and Prime Plus, there are features like; Alexa integration, Amazon Music, Google Earth, and a WI-FI hotspot among other features.
The Q7 also has an integrated toll transponder. That’s a cool tool. In the Washington Metropolitan Area in northern Virginia and Maryland where I drove there are tolls. I also drove around the Western part of Maryland on I-70. My drives also took me on I-97 in the Eastern part of Maryland. , I also did some driving through the city of DC.
The Q7 gets an EPA rated 21 miles per gallon on the highway. The base price on the 55 TSFI is $60,800. You also get a panoramic roof and three rows of seating for seven passengers.
The vehicle I drove also had the towing package. With the prestige package and more, it came out to $74,290 delivered. For more information visit www.AudiUSA.com.