The second-generation Audi Q7 has been round for a really very long time, and but I am fairly positive I’ve by no means pushed one. Shrug. Generally new automobiles fall by the cracks and simply keep there. Fortunately, this SQ7 with purple leather-based emerged from between the sofa cushions. I am truthfully a bit surprised by how good the steering is for a giant SUV and the way cool its sport exhaust sounds. No shock that its Bang & Olufsen sound system sounds terrific.
However I am right here to speak about cargo capability, particularly behind its raised third row. This may be the kind of three-row SUV the place the aftmost quarters are actually only for occasional, quasi-emergency use. Headroom is proscribed and an average-size grownup or teenager doubtless will not have sufficient legroom except one or two segments of the 40/20/40 second row are slid nearly all the best way ahead … during which case the second-row occupants shall be cramped except these up entrance are on the brief facet. You will discover more room in a Volvo XC90, BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS. However there I’m going speaking about one thing aside from cargo …
The specs say there’s 14.1 cubic-feet of house behind the raised third row. That too is on the small facet of a three-row SUV, however typical for a luxurious mannequin. A quantity of 14.1 cubic-feet would fall in between the Cadillac XT6 (12.6) and Volvo XC90 (15.8). The present king of the phase, on paper and in apply, is the Lexus TX. Let’s examine how a lot you possibly can match within the Q7.
There’s really a good quantity of size to the realm, however as you possibly can see above proper, the opening rake will doubtless restrict performance.
There’s additionally an underfloor space, but it surely’s, um, occupied within the SQ7. I am advised no Q7 has underfloor storage, but it surely positive makes accessing varied stereo parts and air compressor simple.
Let’s get to the baggage. As with each Baggage Take a look at, I take advantage of two midsize curler suitcases that may must be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 large, 11 deep), two black roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller inexperienced roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embody my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
Additionally, with each Baggage Take a look at I do with three-row automobiles, I set the third-row recline to a pure, snug angle. No Fats Joe “lean again,” no comfort-be-damned “every part should match” 90 levels.
Not dangerous, actually. This may be the smallest 4 baggage. I may alternatively match one of many large ones with the inexperienced one and fancy bag on prime. What you see above equals extra baggage capability, although.
That is precisely the identical because the XC90, though it was positively a snugger match right here for the inexperienced bag. Because the numbers urged, it is method higher than the XT6 (two baggage), not fairly pretty much as good because the GLS (swap a kind of medium black baggage on the underside for the large blue one), and method lower than good ol’ Lexus Texas (all the baggage).
I used to be curious, although. Given the small third row, I puzzled if all the baggage would really match if I lowered one half of the 50/50-split third row. I really did this with the XT6 and XC90, so it appeared just like the honest factor to do.
Sure, all baggage match, but it surely was VERY shut. Though extra room can be created by standing the large blue bag up, it will simply fall onto the third-row occupant with the primary whiff of a proper flip. It is dangerous sufficient being caught again there.
The XT6 couldn’t match the flamboyant bag with this association. Once more, the XC90 was similar (though to be clear, it has a extra spacious third row).
Actually, I used to be anticipating worse. The Q7 and SQ7 nonetheless aren’t fitted to street journeys with all rows full — even if you happen to pack mild or get a hitch-based cargo answer (this SQ7 did have a hitch), the probabilities of of us in each rows two and three being sad are excessive. However there I’m going once more speaking about one thing aside from cargo capability.
