Audi’s big SUV, the Q7, has been given a petrol engine. Badged Q7 40 TFSI, this variant is powered by a four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and sends power to all four wheels. The Q7 is one of the last big luxury SUVs to receive a petrol variant, and it now competes with other petrol SUVs like the Mercedes GLE 400 4MATIC and GLS 400 4MATIC, the BMW X5 35i, the Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Petrol and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit (petrol).
Design
The Audi Q7 40 TFSI features no aesthetic changes to differentiate it from the diesel variants, apart from the badging on the tailgate. The Q7 is a smart-looking SUV with clean, sharp lines and Audi’s distinctive hexagonal grille. It sits on 18-inch alloy wheels and measures 5,052mm in length, 2,212mm in width and 1,740mm in height, and gets a wheelbase of 2,994mm.
Mercedes has two SUVs that can rival the Q7 40 TFSI – the GLE 400 4MATIC and the GLS 400 4MATIC. The GLE 400 4MATIC is a five-seater SUV measuring 4,819mm, 2,141mm and 1,796mm in length, width and height, respectively, with a wheelbase of 2,915mm – making it smaller than the Q7 and the shortest (length) in this group. It sits on 19-inch alloy wheels. The GLS 400 4MATIC is a seven-seat SUV with a more upright and boxier style. It’s a big car, measuring 5,130mm in length, 2,141mm in width and 1,850mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,075mm. It sits on 20-inch alloy wheels.
The BMW X5 35i is a five-seater, featuring the company’s signature kidney grille and muscular lines. At 4,886mm in length, 1,938 in width and 1,762mm in height, and with a wheelbase of 2,810mm, it’s smaller than the Q7 and narrower and shorter (wheelbase) than the GLE too. It drives on 19-inch alloys.
The Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Petrol is typically Land Rover in its looks, with an imposing face and Discovery’s signature asymmetric tailgate. The Discovery is the only other seven-seater in the group and measures 4,988 in length, 2,220 in width and 1,888mm in height, making it roughly of the same proportions as the Q7 and also the tallest one here. Though, at 2,922mm, its wheelbase is notably shorter than that of the Q7.
Finally, we come to Jeep’s Grand Cherokee Summit. Sporting that distinctive seven-slot grille and the boxy, muscular design, the Grand Cherokee measures 4,828 in length, 1,943 in width and 1,802mm in height, and it has a wheelbase of 2,915mm, making it more compact than the Q7. It drives on 20-inch alloy wheels.
Interiors
The Audi Q7 40 TFSI gets the same equipment and features as the diesel variant, such as Audi's 'Parking System Plus' with 360-degree surround-view camera, LED headlamps that increase the intensity and throw of the beam when vehicle speed exceeds 110kph, electronically controlled air suspension with variable damping, Audi’s virtual cockpit, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display and a panoramic sunroof.
The Mercedes GLE 400 4MATIC and the GLS 400 4MATIC get LED headlights with Merc’s Intelligent Light System, electric sunroof, 360-degree camera, air suspension with adaptive damping and a multimedia system with an 8.0-inch display. The GLS additionally gets sports brakes with perforated disc brakes and electric folding third row seats.
The BMW X5 35i also gets adaptive headlights, a two-part tailgate and air suspension with adaptive damping (only on the rear axle), panoramic sunroof, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon music system and a heads-up display for the driver.
The Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Petrol gets LED headlights, but not with smart features, a panoramic sunroof, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a third row of seats, a gesture-controlled tailgate, air suspension, a 360-degree camera, heads-up display and loads of off-road features such as terrain modes, low-traction launch, active tow assist, etc.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit (petrol) is also loaded with similar features like 360-degree camera, heads-up display and off-road features such as terrain select and a low-range mode, and some additional ones like heated front and second row seats, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, rear seat dual screen media system and bi-xenon HID headlamps.
Engines and performance
All six cars here are powered by petrol engines mated to automatic gearboxes, with power sent to all four wheels.
| Powertrain | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Q7 40 TFSI | Mercedes GLE 400 4MATIC | Mercedes GLS 400 4MATIC | BMW X5 35i | Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Petrol | Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit (petrol) | |
| Type | Four-cylinder, turbo-petrol | V6, turbo-petrol | V6, turbo-petrol | Six-cylinder, turbo-petrol | V6, turbo-petrol | V6, petrol |
| Displacement | 1984cc | 2996cc | 2996cc | 2979cc | 2995cc | 3604cc |
| Max power | 252hp at 5000-6000rpm | 333hp at 5250-6000rpm | 333hp at 5250-6000rpm | 306hp at 5800-6400rpm | 340hp | 290hp |
| Max torque | 370Nm at 1600-3500rpm | 480Nm at 1600-4000rpm | 480Nm at 1600-4000rpm | 400Nm at 1200-5000rpm | 450Nm at 3500-5000rpm | 347Nm |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto | 9-speed auto | 9-speed auto | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto |
The Q7 40 TFSI has the smallest engine of the lot here, something that is reflected in its power and torque figures. The BMW X5 35i and the Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit fall in between. The Land Rover Discovery 3.0, followed by the Mercs, makes the highest amount of power and torque figures. However, due to the smaller engine, the Audi may be more efficient than its peers, while the Grand Cherokee is likely to be the least efficient because of its larger capacity and lack of turbo-charging.
Price
| Price comparison | |
|---|---|
| Model | Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) |
| Audi Q7 40 TFSI | Rs 67.76 - 74.43 lakh |
| Mercedes GLE 400 4MATIC | Rs 72.06 lakh |
| Mercedes GLS 400 4MATIC | Rs 79.86 lakh |
| BMW X5 35i | Rs 70.50 lakh |
| Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Petrol | Rs 68.05 - 84.43 lakh |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit petrol | Rs 75.15 lakh |
With a price range of Rs. 67.76-74.43 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Q7 is the most affordable petrol luxury SUV of the lot. However, if we consider the top variant, the Merc GLE 400 4MATIC and the Jeep are quite competitively priced too. The Mercedes GLS 400 4MATIC may be slightly pricey, but it comes with the added advantage of seven seats, as does the Land Rover Discovery 3.0 Petrol.
The Q7, thus, seems like good value for money for someone looking for a comfortable, well-equipped luxury SUV as opposed to a performance-oriented machine.