Audi Q7 40 TFSI Petrol Review

• Published On: 20 September 2017
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Audi continues to downsize its petrol engines – this time, it’s in the company’s massive Q7 SUV.

The engine

Let’s get right to the big change. The engine. The Q7 40 TFSI uses a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine that produces 252hp and 370Nm. And, Audi says it’ll do 0-100kph in 6.9sec. Apart from the new engine, very little else is new. Instead of the space-saver spare tyre where the sixth seat would be, like in the diesel car, the spare is now entirely optional. The only other change is the layer of grey cladding, that used to run around the base of the car, is now just body coloured.

The engine is quiet at idle, so that’s a good start, but the Q7’s previous diesel motor was always a refined unit. However, the effect of the downsizing is something you feel from the moment you set off. The car hesitates, even when you start gently. The gearbox isn’t to fault here, there is just a lot of car to move for an engine this size. The good news is that once you get the motor to its sweet spot, power is incredibly strong, and it feels adequate.

If you can overlook the slight hiccup at the start, this car will cruise well. Where you might notice a bit of lag is when you decide to overtake quickly. Floor the accelerator and the Q7 takes a moment to react, post which it leaps forward. The surge of power here is not immense, but is adequate to get this behemoth moving. This engine is nowhere near as smooth or effortless as the V6 diesel in the Q7 45 TDI. Switch to the ‘S’ mode and things will improve greatly, but this mode isn’t ideal for every day driving, you’ll be more comfortable with the car in the regular ‘D’ mode.

The ride

Apart from the engine feeling different, the rest is familiar. You still get a supremely comfortable ride from the standard air suspension and respectably tidy body control. The Q7 is a very refined SUV. The Auto mode in Drive Select works really well - it is quick to detect changes in your driving style and recalibrate the engine, gearbox, suspension and steering to match.

Should I buy one?

What is the kicker here? The car’s price. The Q7 40 TFSI starts at an attractive ₹67.76 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), which undercuts all its rivals. Even the top Technology trim costs ₹74.43 lakh, which is very competitive. The 45 TDI diesel is a car we’d still recommend for its immense and effortless performance, and the fact that it’s price-tag is only ₹3 lakh more. But if you’re in the market for a petrol Q7, and especially if you’re chauffeur-driven, the 40 TFSI is a good buy.