Pros • Cabin, load space • Fuel economy • Dash presentation
Cons • Noisy suspension • Flat seats • CVT characteristics The Koleos did what it was intended to do. It gave Renault a foothold in a hitherto unrepresented segment and, more importantly in Australia, it quickly became Renault’s biggest-selling model.If there was a major shortcoming with the second generation Koleos it was the lack of a diesel engine. The newcomer was exclusively powered by a hard-working 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine producing a reasonable 126kW/226Nm and returning, in AWD form, a combined fuel consumption average of 8.3L/100km.But that’s all changed now. The long-awaited turbo-diesel option arrived in August 2017 to immediately bring more power and (a lot more) torque. At 130kW/380Nm it’s a true grunter which, at 6.1L/100km, also offers better fuel consumption, plus lower exhaust emissions (150g/km against the petrol version’s 192g/km).
Pros Noticeably more torque and better fuel economy from the diesel engine Big size equals excellent second-row space inside Competitively priced Good ownership credentials
Cons Powertrain not as seamless and effortless as the numbers suggest No quicker than cheaper front-drive petrol Koleos variants Wieldy SUV to manoeuvre and park Ho-hum infotainment system Lower braked towing rating than petrol versions The diesel clatter is also quite noticeable, though nothing like a deal-breaker, but it does harness the on-demand all-wheel-drive system's tractive talents better and more noticeably than the petrol engine does. And by maintaining fuel economy within a ballpark of its maker’s 6.1 combined cycle claim, it’s markedly more efficient by a couple of litres per hundred, particularly around town.
Pros Great exterior looks Nice enough to drive Good level of equipment
Cons Doesn't come with a seven-seat option Prices are a bit high Manual gearbox isn't the smoothest
A reshuffling of features marks the 2019 model year for the Q7. All models now come with navigation, while mid-range Premium Plus trims now offer Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster, a 360-degree exterior camera system, LED head- and taillights, and a wireless smartphone charging pad as standard. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are now part of the Convenience package on all Q7 models. The optional 20-inch wheels now come with all-season run-flat tires and two new 21-inch wheel designs are now available.
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 2019 Audi Q7 delivers on the factors most important to large luxury SUV buyers: space, comfort, style, safety, and impressive technology.
Pros Excellent build quality Luscious interior appointments Sublime ride Tech superiority Room for seven
Cons Tight third row Limited cargo space behind third row Gets very pricey, very fast Underpowered turbo-4 Best tech reserved for top trim
The 2019 Audi Q7 ranked #4 in Luxury Midsize SUVs. Currently the Audi Q7 has a score of 8.6 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 18 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Lavish interior Athletic handling Impressive optional V6 engine Comfortable, supportive seats
Cons Limited third-row seating space
