V6 value

The Audi Q7 has just received a bit of a cosmetic nip and tuck, but it continues to offer a strong powertrain, air suspension and whole lot of features that make it a value-offering

- Dipayan Dutta

It’s not a stretch to say that the Q7 is Audi India’s breakaway product, for a while it was the car to have if you wanted an amicably priced seven-seater luxury SUV. Now though, the competition has been quick to make up ground and make the Q7 feel a lot older than it is. But now, Audi has responded with a slight tweak to ensure it stays contemporary.

The silhouette has remained largely unchanged, with that recognisable large grille and rounded-out design form. Look a little closer and you’ll notice the chrome embellishments on the hood, the heavily detailed Matrix LED headlamps and the slightly reprofiled bumper. It takes an expert, and a few file photos, but you’ll notice some added sinews, ducts and faux metal inserts, they do add up to make the Q7 look slightly fresher. In profile, you’re going to see new 20-inch wheels that replace the 19s on the previous iteration of the car. They do a much better job of filling the arches and do add a significant amount of presence to this facelifted Q7. Considering this is a mid-mid-term facelift there isn’t much changed in terms of dimensions, which means you get a five-metre SUV with a 3,000mm wheelbase and plenty of space on the inside. Switch your focus to the rear and you’ll spot a similar reprofile to the LED tail-lamps and again some reprofiling to the bumpers with the new trapezoidal exhaust tips.