2017/18 SQ7 - anyone here got one?

2017/18 SQ7 - anyone here got one?

Author
Discussion

PrancingHorses

Original Poster:

2,714 posts

214 months

Sunday 18th February 2018
quotequote all
Would like to hear from owners - how's the car?

PhilboSE

4,754 posts

233 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
I got one of the first and have run it for over a year. It's a very good car, refinement is excellent and rear space much better and more flexible than the previous version. Engine's a peach and returns amazing mpg.

I got the dynamic sports suspension which works very well (and the 4WS helps with manoeuvrability as well). As a package I think it's excellent value for money compared with (say) Range Rover which was the other car in the mix for me.

If you have anything specifically you'd like an opinion on, ask away.

PrancingHorses

Original Poster:

2,714 posts

214 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Thanks Phil. Do these come with a service pack option? I last had a Q7 back in 2006 and it was just a 3.0d and was bloody expensive come service time. Been in BMWs and Range Rovers since then and the service packs are bliss with worry free motoring.

Also what is the ride quality like? There are some amazing contract hire deals available at the moment so pretty tempted to get one as a family wagon.

PhilboSE

4,754 posts

233 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
I'm not aware of any service pack options, but I didn't ask. I have a local indy I use for all my VAG work, tbh I'd expect this option to be cheaper than a VAG service pack. The audi website for Service Plans says "not available for S, RS, R8 & W12 engines" which looks like a negative on that front. I did go for a 5 year extended warranty - I paid £1200 for this which seemed like decent value. I keep my cars a long time and there's a lot of new tech on the SQ7 so I thought I'd buy a bit more peace of mind and time to find and get fixed any issues. Nothing surfaced so far though, apart from the satnav has a quirk in its route planning which I'll be taking up with Audi customer service and hopefully is just a software update.

The ride is very good, haven't compared with the sprung suspension or the air suspension on the non-S Q7, but it's very smooth and eerily quiet. Most noticeable noise is a bit of wind noise from the front passenger windscreen area which I can't pinpoiny - the wiper blades tuck in under the bonnet so I don't think it's those. I've read a few long term reviews which compliment the car on the ride quality as being best in class - though that class probably doesn't include the Bentayga or the Range Rover. The RR I found had a softer more wallowy ride; the SQ7 dynamic suspension does a good job of being soft when cruising yet instantly firm when cornering. You can definitely feel the e-diff working when set in its more aggressive settings, though I have to say I generally leave it in comfort mode.

Overall the interior of the car is a significant step up from the previous model, very nice place to be with the silk nappa leather you get on the SQ7. As the platform forms the base for a lot of the VAG models now, they've thrown some proper money at it and it shows. The diesel Bentayga shares the platform, drivetrain and suspension with the SQ7 so you're basically throwing £80k to upgrade to the admittedly luxurious interior of the Bentley over the SQ7. I thought about it but couldn't justify it as our SQ7 is our family utility car, and we do use the third row of seats from time to time.

Road fund licence was £280 on the renewal and I'm averaging around 33mpg so running costs are a lot less than the previous model. It sits noticeably lower than the Range Rover, more of a tall estate car than the elevated platform of the RR which you have to climb up to - much easier access in/out of the SQ7 especially for the children. The engine in the SQ7 makes the V8 diesel in the RR look positively antiquated in every area. It compares much better with the SVR Range Rover, if not for absolute bombast but for pace it is right up there.

Overall I'm very pleased with it, it does the job and is considerably better value than cars which I would put in the same category of capability and performance. Audi absolutely reams you on the options list prices though.

Encouraging if the lease prices are good as this means it will hold its value for outright purchasers like me. I got a 12% discount which was 12% more than I could get off a Range Rover...

PrancingHorses

Original Poster:

2,714 posts

214 months

Monday 19th February 2018
quotequote all
Thanks Phil - very useful indeed. I will be going in to my dealer to try and get a test drive this weekend - they are trying to get one down for me!

PUMPMAN1860

278 posts

218 months

Monday 12th March 2018
quotequote all
Hi..my 1st time on the Audi forum. my SQ7 is down for being built this week...now getting even more excited due to the positive feedback.
I'm getting one in Orca black with titanium pack, Bose audio and 21" silver wheels.

DMS1979

81 posts

232 months

Monday 12th March 2018
quotequote all
same with me - SQ7 Vorsprung on order - it is built just taking an absolute age to get shipped over here - hopefully here by this weekend

PhilboSE

4,754 posts

233 months

Tuesday 13th March 2018
quotequote all
Mine took about a month from being built to being available. After being notified it was in the country, it was a good few weeks before the dealer got it.

DMS1979

81 posts

232 months

Tuesday 13th March 2018
quotequote all
oh
my status just changed on the tracker to being in the UK and i was hoping to get it this weekend
perhaps not now you have said that
never had that long a wait once in the UK previously so one can only hope

V12s

30 posts

94 months

Thursday 15th March 2018
quotequote all
I am picking up my new SQ7 Vorsprung this weekend too. Hoping it lives up to expectations!

PUMPMAN1860

278 posts

218 months

Thursday 15th March 2018
quotequote all
Seems like we share the same taste in cars

DMS1979

81 posts

232 months

Thursday 15th March 2018
quotequote all
Confirmed today Saturday collection is on
they sent me a nice teasing video - not showing too much but just enough

PhilboSE

4,754 posts

233 months

Friday 16th March 2018
quotequote all
You will like it, I'm sure. I'm very happy with mine, though in the colder weather I did feel a bit of a cheapskate for not speccing the heated rear seats. But £400!

What Car reckons the SQ7 is one of the top 10 slowest depreciating cars as well, good news for leasers and buyers.

V12s

30 posts

94 months

Friday 16th March 2018
quotequote all
PUMPMAN1860 said:
Seems like we share the same taste in cars
Indeed we do PUMPMAN !


PenelopaPitstop

2,211 posts

140 months

Saturday 17th March 2018
quotequote all
I'm waiting for your reviews. SQ7 Vorsprung seems like a comfortable tank.

PrancingHorses

Original Poster:

2,714 posts

214 months

Sunday 18th March 2018
quotequote all
I have not driven one as yet! The guys in Hatfield have been trying to get one in for me but they seem to be rare beasts! They have found one and due to drive it next week. Although there are no Vorsprung models available anywhere.


DMS1979

81 posts

232 months

Monday 19th March 2018
quotequote all
I picked my Vorsprung up at the weekend - loving it.
it is a very nice place to be i have to say. turning circle isnt great so in hindsight money no object, i would have spec'ed 4 wheel steering.


PrancingHorses

Original Poster:

2,714 posts

214 months

Monday 19th March 2018
quotequote all
The only thing really putting me off is the lack of a leather dashboard. Coming from a Range Rover I would miss a lot of leather and having to put up with a plastic dash! Does the Vorsprung have a leather stitched dashboard?

DMS1979

81 posts

232 months

Monday 19th March 2018
quotequote all
yup

XMT

3,906 posts

154 months

Tuesday 20th March 2018
quotequote all
Excellent to see so many SQ7. Cant wait to get one used hehe