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sleek and elegantSTYLING | 8 out of 10
The first sport-utility ever from sports-sedan specialists at Audi, the Q7 returns for the 2010 model year with a refreshed exterior and a touched-up cabin-and a new smaller stablemate in the Audi Q5. Part of a joint product plan with the Volkswagen Touareg and the Porsche Cayenne, the five- or seven-seat Audi A7 is offered with a choice of V-6, V-8, and diesel V-8 engines and comes standard with all-wheel drive. Priced from $47,725 for the V-6, the Q7 diesel costs $51,725 and the V-8, $61,825. The competition includes the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, and Lincoln MKT.
A subtle, elegant approach defines the Q7. It's not a brutish off-roader in the Land Rover vein, nor a monster truck like the bling-encrusted Cadillac Escalade. Cars.com says the Q7 "looks a lot like a tall, bulked-up wagon." The Q7's fastback shape is classy and stylish, with only a high ground clearance to give away the off-road appeal. MyRide points out that it is "more tasteful and elegant than either of its platform mates, the Porsche Cayenne or VW Touareg." Audi's huge nose-to-ground grille dominates the front end, while sharp cutlines define the curvy body and athletic profile. MyRide approves of the "horse-collar grille" and says the "tapered greenhouse" maintains a "familial resemblance with the Avant wagons." ForbesAutos admires the "V-shaped prow" and its "coupe-like roof arch." Car and Driver observes "every detail...has been sculpted, massaged, and polished."
The Q7's richly appointed interior wears leather, suede, and wood well. It's tightly integrated and attractively styled, with a generally uncluttered appearance save for some of the minor switches. Edmunds refers to the Q7's "superior interior design," while Car and Driver exclaims, "You haven't seen gorgeous until you've beheld the dried-herb sumptuousness of the Cardamom Beige interior." Cars.com feels "the cabin features first-rate materials and an attention to detail seen in relatively few mass-produced vehicles."
Conclusion
The 2010 Audi Q7 breaks from the sport-ute pack with its sleek outline and its rich, detailed interior.
