Has Anyone test-driven the Q7 before you bought the R-Class?
I test drove the 4.4 Q7 today and definitely have some mix feelings. I have been shopping for a R350 for more than a month now and am currently working with my dealer to get me the car.
Here are some of my after-thoughts:
Exterior
Advantage: Q7 - Very agressive looking and definitely nicer front end. The standard 18" wheel is also very nice and has lesser wheel gap than the R350. Look at it in person, I definitely think it is one of the nicest looking SUV out there today and is also much better looking than my X5.
Interior
Advantage: Tie - The quality of the material is about the same but it seems like the Audi layout is a lot more refined. On the other hand, not sure what Audi is thinking but the Q7 uses some "industrial/office" looking barber carpet and it looks absolutely horrible. One thing did surprise me is the Q7's second row leg room "almost" as long as the R. The third row is a joke however and I don't believe adults can even get to the third row seats due to the tiny space.
Handling:
Advantage: R350 - Q7 probably is the worst handling European car that I have ever driven and it reminds me my first 1987 Ford Taurus. No road feel ... YIKE!!
Power:
Advantage: R350 - Q7 has a 4.4V8 but I don't feel like it provides better power than the R350. I am sure the R500 will blow that thing away. Total disappointment.
Gas Mileage:
Advantage: R350 - MPG 14/18 (Q7)
Price:
Advantage: Q7 - With the base MSRP of $39K, Q7 is about the same price as the heavy discount R350. However, the options of the Q7 are much more advanced and refined than the R350, so Q is definitely provided better value than the R.
Conclusion - I am not super impressed with the overall Q7 but definitely fall in love with the exterior. Seriously, I think Q7 is better comparsion to the GL than the R since they are most likely serving the some target customers. In the mean time, I definitely will wait for the new Q7 3.6 that is coming out in 3 weeks.
http://microsites.audiusa.com/AudiQ7/html/flash.html
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