10-19-2020, 04:58 PM | #1 |
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Anyone come from a 2017+ Audi Q7
Hey all, Im a long time BMW enthusiast and have owned a 2017 q7 prestige for my wife for the last 6 months. Its on ok car, but missing the sharp handling and styling of the G05. Thinking of trading in for one.
Anyone make a similar move? Any notable comparison thoughts between the two vehicles or things they miss? The Q7 is super smooth over bumps and very quiet on the road, two things I like. |
10-19-2020, 06:59 PM | #2 |
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Coming from a pair of 2018 Prestige Q7s, I'll add part of a post I contributed to an Audi forum in relation to the soon-expiring Google Earth Virtual Cockpit overlay for MY18 and earlier Audis:
Although no longer an Audi owner, to clarify for me as well, in addition to the GE shenanigans by VAG, the switch to almost exclusively touch screens for driving control was a deal-breaker. Add to that the abysmal throttle lag, the constant and random glitches in the software, and the laissez-faire attitude in general from Audi about fixing anything, it was time to switch. And having switched, as a former Q7 owner who actually liked driving the car and thought it was great in many ways, I can honestly now say that the X5 is orders of magnitude ahead of the technology and driving experience from the 2018 Q7. I qualify it because that's my personal experience, but I expect it's orders of magnitude ahead of the 2019/2020 as well. The X5 drives better, is more responsive, quieter (acoustic glass was actually available in US models), the voice recognition is as good as "Alexa," if you're an Amazon subscriber, the HUD and driver assistance features are beyond anything I saw in Audi, and the Nav features are immediate in their response and dead on accurate. It sometimes took five minutes out of my driveway for navigation to even be available in the Audi, and more than 50 percent of the time it couldn't understand voice requests, or find a location, or get me there by the best route. Trying not to sound like a BMW fanboy on an Audi site, and the new X5s have certainly had their share of first-year warts, but there's really no comparison, for me, in daily driving these cars. I wish everyone happiness and success in whatever their choice of transport might be, but I have no regrets whatsoever to have swapped badges. Peace, out. And to clarify, the Q7 was a nice car - very well finished, and a great highway cruiser. However, all of the above was true, and much of it still is for MY21 models. Coupled with the deletion of features available on EU models, but not in the US - not regulatory, but simply $$ savings for Audi, from anything as simple as no Autohold button to a hobbled full Parking Assist. The X5 is much more responsive driving, has better (i.e., more functional) technology, and is a more attractive design - to me. The Q7 is slightly roomier, and comes standard with a 3rd row seat, if that matters. I wouldn't be unhappy driving one, but I really don't miss anything from my Q7. Things I still don't like in Audi, and really part of their DNA for MY21: 1) Throttle lag. Undefined as to cause, discussed in many Audi forums. but probably attributable to the DC transmission. 2) Almost exclusive touch screen interface. This is a "no" for me, no other considerations necessary. Others feel differently. 3) Ergonomics. ACC, for example, on the steering column, instead of the steering wheel, where it belongs IMO. In addition to being touch screen controls, basic functions like temperature controls at the level of the driver's knees. Others feel differently. And 4), Not least, corporate VAG's condescending attitude toward existing customers, mitigated certainly by dealership, but not felt exclusively by me and almost universally acknowledged. "You bought it. Be happy." No thanks, VW. |
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10-19-2020, 07:43 PM | #3 | |
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I like the tech in the BMW and prefer the interior and user interface in the x5 to the q7. I have also always been really been impressed by visibility out of the x5. The q7 was fine, but for some reason the X5 seems super "airy", like the greenhouse glass is massive. I strongly considered keeping the q7 at the end of lease. Both are great vehicles. X5 is probably "sportier" though steering is on the numb side. I prefer the new iDrive to the MMI in the 2017 Audi. Wireless CarPlay is also awesome. I'm optimistic we will love the x5 as much as the q7. |
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10-19-2020, 08:38 PM | #4 | |
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10-20-2020, 11:40 AM | #5 | |
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I test drove the X5 and loved it but my wife had issues with the front passenger seat leg room and didn't like the sporty harsher ride of the X5. Plus, interior space was smaller than our outgoing Toyota Highlander so we moved up to the X7 and never looked back. If ride quality and comfort are important to you I highly recommend you consider test driving an X7 before you pull the trigger on the X5. Despite it's size the X7 is a very compliant riding vehicle and handles much better than most people would expect it to drive. It's composed and opulent. It's a dream to drive on almost any road, highway, or freeway. I highly recommend the Driving Assistance Professional package and the Parking Assistance package for the 3D camera view alone. I use that feature every time I park to make sure I'm in the center of the parking space. Food for thought... |
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10-20-2020, 02:32 PM | #6 |
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The X5 is available with and without the four wheel air suspension...so, depending on which suspension you tested, it may have been apples to oranges with the X7 that is standard with the air suspension all around. Then, the M versions are tuned a bit differently.
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10-20-2020, 03:43 PM | #7 |
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I tested the X5 with air suspension and without back to back. It's pretty night and day. If a plush ride quality is important to you, try it with air suspension first. I believe it's standard on the X7, which explains why it's so plush.
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10-20-2020, 03:48 PM | #8 |
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Yes. Not just air suspension but the overall roominess of the X7, especially in the front passenger compartment, make a big difference in my opinion.
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10-20-2020, 04:19 PM | #9 |
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What wheel sizes did you test drive? I heard that the 19” wheel with the standard suspension rides pretty well, similar to air suspension with larger wheels. Unfortunately, no 2VR in my area so can’t compare myself.
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10-20-2020, 04:39 PM | #10 |
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iconoclast7257.50 ND40oz396.50 |
10-20-2020, 05:04 PM | #11 | |
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The air suspension was a xDrive45e (hybrid so heavier) M-Sport with 21" wheels. The 40i feels like a bit heavier and bigger X3. Mechanical, pretty classic BMW. The 45e wasn't as tossable, but still felt sporty but ultra luxe. I prefer the luxe feel b/c honestly, it's a big SUV not a small coupe. |
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10-20-2020, 06:43 PM | #12 | |
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10-20-2020, 08:13 PM | #13 | |
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She immediately commented on the space under the glove box and the firewall bulkhead. |
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10-20-2020, 09:43 PM | #14 | |
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So the headroom is definitely more in X7, giving a roomier impression. Not sure about space below glovebox, but it is certainly possible that it is increased in X7. |
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11-09-2020, 08:36 AM | #16 |
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Had the air suspension on my 2018 Q and now on the X5. Both are equivalent IMO, and both smooth out the ride dramatically from the standard suspension (also a previous F15 owner with DH). The seats in the Audi were a teeny bit softer (luxury seats on both - Full Merino on the BMW), both ventilated. I had 21" non-RF on the Audi, and now 20" RF on the X5, but both to me have a very similar ride. The G05 with air is certainly not harsher in the slightest to me compared to the Q, but without air my experience with the F15 was that it felt like a Conestoga wagon crossing the prairie.
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11-09-2020, 08:29 PM | #17 | |
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11-09-2020, 10:40 PM | #18 |
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Audi uses the same concept - "ventilated" vs "cooled." The seat ventilation pulls air in rather than blowing out. Like the BMW, you could also turn on "heat" and "ventilation" together. Very similar, although I recall the Audi being noisier on the max setting, particularly the rear seats. Both to me were actually pretty effective at keeping you dry - being cool was more a factor of the A/C setting rather than the seat ventilation.
Last edited by Paladin1; 11-09-2020 at 10:46 PM.. |
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11-10-2020, 10:15 AM | #19 | |
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What about the other side of the coin? The q7 air suspension in dynamic mode is actually very capable and makes the car handle pretty well (for the size and what the q7 is). How about sport+ on the x5? Does it have a similar jekyl and Hyde ability like the q7? |
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11-10-2020, 12:59 PM | #20 | |
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11-12-2020, 01:01 PM | #21 |
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I picked up my i40 build and turned in a 2017 q7 lease last week. Both with six cylinders and steel suspension.
So far so good. Love the looks of the x5 inside and out, and the BMW "new car smell" is intoxicating. Fitting the 3 kids in the back with their booster seats and car seats has not been a problem. I like the virtual cockpit in the Audi better, but the big idrive center screen in the x5 is awesome! I haven't mashed the throttle down yet (break-in) but the BMW feels quick enough. A bit stiffer than the q7 and perhaps more nimble. Will test on some mountain roads this weekend. My only complaint about my x5 is seats cushions seam quite stiff. My wife say they feel fine for her so it's a minor issue since she drives it 90% of the time. Maybe they will soften with wear? Otherwise really happy with the X5. |
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11-12-2020, 01:03 PM | #22 | |
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