Updated styling for 2020.New infotainment system with two screens.New V6 engine with more power than last year.
Pros Exceptional interior materials and build quality Excellent ride quality regardless of road surface Plenty of safety and infotainment technology features Surprisingly agile handling
Cons Offers less cargo space than most competitors Cramped third-row seat New infotainment system is distracting to use
The Q7 receives an extensive facelift for 2020, including updated exterior styling, more technology features on the inside, and a new turbocharged V-6 engine is now optional and is identified by the "55" badge; a turbo four-cylinder remains the base engine, and Q7s powered by this powertrain wear "45" badges. The 2020 Q7 also adopts the two-row Q8 SUV's touchscreen-heavy interior, featuring a large infotainment display stacked on top of another secondary display that handles vehicle settings and climate control.
Pros Back-road athleticism, beautiful and high-tech cabin, three-row versatility.
Cons Pricey with extras, snug third row, subtle styling gets lost in parking lots.
The 2020 Audi Q7 is brimming with tech and comfort, a surefire way to stay comfortable in any school parking lot.
Pros Luxurious interior Quick SQ7 on the way Improved touchscreens Standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Cons Touchscreens can be distracting Spendy in top trims Third row is best for children Competitors have caught up
Ballistic-resistant SUV offers protection against 'violent attacks, kidnapping or organised crime. BMW has revealed the new X5 Protection VR6, an armoured version of its popular luxury SUV. According to the Bavarian marque, the X5 Protection VR6 "offers private individuals and persons at risk customised protection against violent attacks, kidnapping or organised crime".Power in the X5 Protection VR6 comes from a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine borrowed from the xDrive50i variant. Maximum power is rated at 390kW between 5500 and 6000rpm, while a peak torque figure of 750Nm is on tap between 1800rpm and 4600rpm.
The X5 Protection VR6, named in reference to its certified protection rating, is almost indistinguishable from the standard X5, but is clad all over in high-strength steel armour plating, which overlaps at each panel and trim gap to maximise coverage. Underneath, a thick aluminium splinter shield protects the powertrain and floor from explosive devices such as hand grenades, while the standard X5’s windows have been replaced with 33mm thick, polycarbonate-reinforced glass. The glazing features what BMW calls ‘post-blast protective technology’, which offers protection against secondary attacks in the wake of an explosion. Only the driver’s window is electric as standard, although an electric passenger window is an option.
We know what you want out of your luxury crossover. You want comfort. You want performance. You want protection against anti-infantry hand grenades. Well, BMW has the ride for you! Although it looks like the standard model, the new X5 Protection VR6's armor-plated bodywork protects against attacks by handguns and firearms, including AK-47s. The armored passenger compartment withstands blasts of up to 15 kilograms of TNT from a distance of 13 feet, and its Post Blast Protective Technology protects against secondary attacks; even following a blast, all windows remain firmly in position.The vehicle is fitted with high-strength steel panels in the doors, side frames, roof, and firewall. Overlapping armor plating within the door gaps and bodywork joints prevent penetration by bullets or fragments. Oh, and your suitcases will be safe as well, thanks to aluminum pieces guarding the underbody and luggage compartment.
