Audi Q7 prices & specs

The second-generation Audi Q7 is 300kg lighter than its predecessor

Enlarged, extra-chromey single-frame grille is one of Audi’s latest design features. It looks like it’s machined-from-billet aluminium — but it couldn’t be, for pedestrian protection

Large front doors are aluminium, so they play their part in the weight-saving regime. They also overlap the sills, so you won’t risk muddying your trouser legs when getting in and out

These ‘five-arm turbine’ alloys are one of a pair of 21in wheel options. SE cars have 19s, which look very small on the car indeed

LED tail-lights are wide, with striking running light illumination in the shape of a double arrow. Indicators sweep left and right, for added visual drama

Front occupants have lots of room and the cabin ambiance is top-notch

S line cars gain nappa leather sports seats over base SE models

Three individual seats in the middle row slide fore and aft; folding them to give access to the third row requires some muscle, despite the hydraulic assistance

Practically every VW Group infotainment system is up to snuff, but Audi’s version always nudges it a bit further into rarefied technophile pleasure

Q7's buttons click and select with a heavy-duty sense of quality

Q7’s wide centre console means that Audi’s touch-sensitive panel for doodling addresses and phone numbers gets bigger than ever

Q7’s load area is 770 litres with five seats raised and 1955 litres with the middle and back rows flattened; rearmost seats fold out of the boot floor easily

Audi claims 6.5sec to 62mph for our test car, and we validated that at 6.2sec to 60mph

Optional air springs result in a comfortable, compliant ride over most surfaces

The Q7’s grip and general stability allow it to be driven with limit-defying briskness without appreciably taxing its driver