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 vehicles fall by means of the cracks and simply keep there. Fortunately, this SQ7 with pink leather-based emerged from between the sofa cushions. I am truthfully a bit shocked by how good the steering is for an enormous 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 might be the type 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 until one or two segments of the 40/20/40 second row are slid nearly all the way in which ahead … during which case the second-row occupants can be cramped until these up entrance are on the brief aspect. You will discover more room in a Volvo XC90, BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS. However there I am going speaking about one thing apart from cargo …
The specs say there may be 14.1 cubic-feet of area behind the raised third row. That too is on the small aspect 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 observe, is the Lexus TX. Let’s have a look at how a lot you may match within the Q7.
There’s truly a good quantity of size to the realm, however as you may 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 instructed no Q7 has underfloor storage, but it surely positive makes accessing varied stereo parts and air compressor simple.
Let’s get to the luggage. As with each Baggage Check, I exploit two midsize curler suitcases that will should be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 huge, 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 Check 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 “all the things should match” 90 levels.
Not dangerous, actually. This might be the smallest 4 baggage. I might alternatively match one of many massive ones with the inexperienced one and fancy bag on high. 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 means 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 means lower than good ol’ Lexus Texas (all the luggage).
I used to be curious, although. Given the small third row, I questioned if all the luggage would truly match if I lowered one half of the 50/50-split third row. I truly 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 flowery bag with this association. Once more, the XC90 was an identical (though to be clear, it has a extra spacious third row).
Truthfully, I used to be anticipating worse. The Q7 and SQ7 nonetheless aren’t suited to highway journeys with all rows full — even when you pack mild or get a hitch-based cargo resolution (this SQ7 did have a hitch), the probabilities of people in each rows two and three being sad are excessive. However there I am going once more speaking about one thing apart from cargo capability.
