The Classy New Audi Q7

After a brief hiatus, the hugely successful Audi SUV is back in a new avatar with a more elegant look and updated mechanicals. Will it be as big a winner?

- Paranjay Dutt

In its previous iteration, the Audi Q7 was big, a touch too attention-seeking, and everything loved by those who wanted a luxury SUV that could handle the rough with ease but looked presentable as an everyday luxury car, too. There was a wide variety of engine options, from sensible ones to outright mad. But as it happens with all good things, it all had to end. And so did the Q7's unchallenged supremacy in the SUV space. After a brief hiatus, it's now back with a fresh face and updated mechanicals. But are its feet big enough for the shoes left by its predecessor? We try to get an idea through a short drive in the Q7.

There was a time when the Q7 was everywhere; celebrities loved them, people with a lot of money loved them, and even for car spotters, it became a rapidly common sight. The new one doesn't change that intent, but the execution differs. Firstly, it doesn't seem as ungainly as many full-sized first-generation SUVs did. It also doesn't look as much in your face as before. It's gone classier, with Audi adopting a clever approach to shape this thing in a relatively easy package on the eyes despite the size. The new grille with its vertical slats doesn't look as brash in the flesh, and the overall shape seems a lot more balanced than before.