German automotive geniuses Audi – part of the Volkswagen group, used to be known primarily for their high-end techy and luxurious sedans and estates, with a few sports cars thrown into the mix every now and then. As a brand, they stayed clear of the SUV market for years, but in 2005, they finally joined the bandwagon when they released their first ever SUV: the Audi Q7, which would begin production in 2006.
Fast forward to today, and Audi has widely expanded their SUV lineup, with a total of 6 models: Q2, Q3, Q5, Q7, Q8 and the fully electric e-tron. Some of these models even have variants belonging to Audi’s sporty ‘S’ performance line, such as the SQ5. Its safe to say that Audi has seen great success through the release of SUV’s through the years, and that’s because they were able to take all the things they were recognized and loved for in their sedan models, and translate them perfectly into the SUV segment, resulting in truly competitive models.
Even though Audi now boasts a crowded SUV lineup, we decided to rewind to simpler times in search of Audi’s homerun first-generation SUV, and what we think about it.
Here’s What Makes The 2010 Q7 Facelift The Best Audi SUV Of The Century
In 2006, Audi debuted in the SUV market with the Q7, a handsome midsize SUV with decent performance considering its size. The model remained pretty much unchanged for the first few years after its release, until finally getting facelifted for the 2010 model year, which brought an assortment of improvements over the original. Audi also released the smaller Q5 in 2009, but when comparing all SUV variants from Audi released in 2010 or earlier, I still consider the 2010 Q7 facelift to be at the top of the podium.
In terms of design, the 2010 Q7 is quite similar to previous versions, with curved body lines, a massive yet not obnoxious grill (we're looking at you BMW), and a sloping roofline that bring together the handsome look of the Q7’s large body. The facelift from 2010 does include some exterior upgrades, however, most noticeably revised yet not overly modified front and rear ends, upgraded headlights and taillights, and a new set of wheels.
Interior-wise, Audi worked their German magic once more with the 2010 Q7’s interior, which is well thought out and executed with high-grade materials. Comfort is great and the overall feel is luxurious, another plus is that the dash layout is driver-oriented and intuitive, meaning easy access and use at all times.
Options And Performance Of The 2010 Audi Q7
The 2010 Q7 hit the market with 3 different versions: The entry-level 3.6 V6 Premium, the 3.0 TDI Diesel V6, and the top-spec 4.2 V8 Prestige. The 3.6 Premium comes standard with rear parking sensors, heated front seats and dual-zone cc, a power liftgate, tons of leather inside, Bluetooth and Audi’s MMI infotainment system. Optional packages for the V6 Premium include front parking sensors, a rearview camera, an amazing Bose audio system, memory settings for the driver’s seat, among more.
The V8 Prestige offers even more on top, most desirable of all being the S line exterior trim upgrade, which makes the Q7 look sportier thanks to upgraded bumpers and body lines to go along perfectly with the Prestige’s enhanced performance. There’s also a luxury package for the Diesel and Prestige variants, that focus mostly on a number of interior upgrades, and an optional adaptive air suspension upgrade that greatly improves drivability.
Now let’s talk numbers. The 3.6 petrol V6 puts out 280-hp along with 266 lb-ft of torque, whereas the 3.0 Diesel V6 boasts 225-hp accompanied by an impressive 406 pound feet of torque. Finally, the 4.2 V8 skyrockets in horsepower with 350, sided with 325 pound feet of torque. It’s important to remember that the Q7’s large size means it weighs over 5000 lbs, so head-rearing acceleration and speeds should not be expected of it. The V8 does 0-60 in 8 seconds, followed closely by the Diesel V6, which runs it in 8.3 seconds thanks to the added torque. The petrol V6 comes in last, with a 0-60 time of 9.5 seconds.
Handling is decent for a vehicle as large and heavy as the Q7, aided by Audi’s All Wheel Drive Quattro system a smooth automatic six-speed transmission, which both come standard. The optional adaptive air suspension system further improves handling, and it allows the driver to choose between different driving modes to suit circumstantial needs.
Practicality And Fuel Economy
The 2010 Q7 offers a spacious interior, especially in the first and second rows of seats, allowing a comfortable ride for most adults. The third row, however, is quite cramped and realistically can only be comfortably used by toddlers and kids. In terms of storage space, the Q7 is lacking due to the added row of seats, but both the third and second row can be folded down if not in use, providing much more space for baggage.
Fuel economy depends greatly on engine choice, and this is where the 3.0 V6 Diesel takes the cake, with a combined mpg rating of 20, which is quite impressive considering the Q7’s hefty weight. The petrol V6 returns a combined mpg of 16, and the V8 only 15 mpg combined.
To summarize, the 2010 Q7 was a great release by Audi, as they improved upon the previous Q7 in all the right places, without tarnishing the characteristics that made it so popular amongst buyers. It set a high bar for Audi’s future in the sport-utility market, so it’s no surprise they’ve continued to release some great SUV’s ever since.