Audi has dropped the 2010 Audi Q7's base 3.6 trim level.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Audi Q7 is a large luxury crossover SUV that seats seven passengers. There are three trim levels that correspond to engine choice: the 3.6 Premium (3.6-liter gas V6), the TDI Premium (diesel V6) and the 4.2 Prestige (4.2-liter V8).
The Premium Plus package adds xenon headlights, front parking sensors, a rearview camera, a navigation system (with voice control and traffic reporting), driver-seat memory settings and a Bose surround-sound audio system. The Q7 TDI has the 3.6 Premium features along with a monochromatic color treatment, 19-inch wheels and additional exterior chrome trim.
The TDI and 4.2 also offer a Luxury package with upgraded leather upholstery, an Alcantara headliner and ventilated front seats. Stand-alone options include fancier 20- or 21-inch wheels, a towing package, a cold weather package (which includes a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats), a panoramic sunroof, extra interior leather coverage and four-zone climate control.
Powertrains and Performance Although the power plants are capable, the Q7's beefy weight of 5,000-plus pounds blunts their performance. Fuel economy ratings for the 2010 Audi Q7 V6 stand at 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined.
Safety The 2010 Audi Q7's standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, a stability control system (with hill-descent control and rollover detection), traction control, active front headrests, full-length side curtain airbags and front-seat side airbags. Seat-mounted side airbags for the second row are optional.In addition, Audi's blind-spot warning system alerts the driver when another vehicle is along the Q7's side.
Driving Impressions Handling is good, especially with the available adaptive air suspension.
The 2011 Audi Q7 gets extensive changes. This full-size SUV weighs 5,500 pounds and measures 16.7 feet long, making it roughly the same size as a Cadillac Escalade or Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. The 3.0T Premium and Premium Plus make 272 horsepower, while the 3.0T S line Prestige offers 333 hp.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2011 Audi Q7 is a full-size seven-passenger SUV. It is available in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trims, with slight differences based on whether you opt for the TDI or 3.0T engines.The Premium comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, roof rails, a power liftgate (includes programmable opening angle), automatic wipers, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated eight-way power front seats (includes adjustable lumbar) and leather upholstery.
Other standard features include a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a reclining 40/20/40-split second-row seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Bluetooth, Audi's Multi Media Interface (MMI) and an 11-speaker audio system with console-mounted six-CD changer, in-dash single-CD player, satellite radio and an iPod interface. The TDI Premium gets 19-inch wheels and additional exterior chrome trim.
The TDI Prestige adds 20-inch wheels (optional on Premium Plus), adaptive headlights, keyless ignition/entry, a blind-spot warning system, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, ventilated front seats and the Warm Weather package. The S line items are available on the TDI Prestige in an option package. Other options for both Prestige trims include an adaptive air suspension, 21-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system and an S line package that adds special interior trim.
Optional on all trims are rear side airbags, a Towing package and a Cold Weather package, which adds heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel.
The Audi Q7 3.0T Premium and Premium Plus are powered by a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that produces 272 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The 2011 Audi Q7 TDI is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel that produces 225 hp and a robust 405 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is estimated to be 17/25/20.
Safety The 2011 Audi Q7 comes standard with antilock brakes, stability and traction control, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and rear parking sensors. A rearview camera is standard on Premium Plus and Prestige trims, while a blind-spot warning system is standard on the Prestige. Second-row side airbags are optional on all trims.
Audi has dropped the 2010 Audi Q7's base 3.6 trim level.