2011 Audi Q7 3.0T

The Audi Q7 3.0T used to have two choices of gasoline-powered engines; now it has one. Those engines used to produce 280 and 350 horsepower, respectively; the new one has 272. Audi has long been the standard-bearer among luxury cars regarding interior materials and fit and finish. True to form, everything in the Q7 fits together beautifully and feels great. The steering wheel is one of the best in any vehicle, period. The overall design is a spitting image of most Audis, though our test car’s black interior was a little dour. The more natural colors available create a warmer environment, though the lightest hues may be susceptible to staining.

The exterior benefits from the 2010 addition of Audi’s trademark LED running lights and additional brightwork in the grille. It all gives the Q7 a bit more flare, though the Q7 remains one of the more tasteful designs in a segment where things can get a little garish.

The Audi Q7 3.0T is also more fuel-efficient than the outgoing guzzlers. EPA ratings of 16 city and 22 highway mpg are pretty impressive for a utility vehicle this size, especially considering that the V8 used to get 13/18. Credit for this must also go to Audi’s new eight-speed automatic transmission, which further lends a hand in helping the 2011 Q7 overcome its apparent horsepower disadvantage.

While the energetic performance of the new supercharged V6 injects some life into the Audi Q7, this still remains a large vehicle and there’s no getting around that. You notice its size especially while negotiating narrow streets and when parking. Yet the Q7 is well-balanced, and despite its size, it feels like a proper Audi from behind the wheel. Especially the steering, which has the highly speed-sensitive effort typical of the brand. It’s tight on-center for a secure feel at speed, then lightens up when you’re making a slow turn at an intersection or when you park.

The Q7′s brake pedal has an especially long travel, which can be unnerving during an emergency stop. During Edmunds testing, though, braking distances proved to be acceptable for such a heavy vehicle, as the Q7 came to a halt from 60 mph in a tidy 122 feet.