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      01-16-2021, 04:38 PM   #1
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Audi Q7 vs X5 - Can you really use the third row in the X5

Having had three 5 series in a row, I am thinking that it may be time for something a little more rugged and with a third row for occasional use (once or twice a month).

I was thinking about an Audi Q7 however they don't lease well and I know the driving experience won't be as good as an X5.

So now I am thinking about the X5 with the third row option. Any thoughts from those of you that have the third row option? How useable is it? Is it ok for road trips? My kids are 9 and 5 so it would mostly be for them.

Also happy to hear from any one that has also had the Q7.
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      01-16-2021, 05:08 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S4CH View Post
Having had three 5 series in a row, I am thinking that it may be time for something a little more rugged and with a third row for occasional use (once or twice a month).

I was thinking about an Audi Q7 however they don't lease well and I know the driving experience won't be as good as an X5.

So now I am thinking about the X5 with the third row option. Any thoughts from those of you that have the third row option? How useable is it? Is it ok for road trips? My kids are 9 and 5 so it would mostly be for them.

Also happy to hear from any one that has also had the Q7.
Having an Audi Q7.. both are pretty much on the same boat .. don't except much of a "third row space" , say it would handle a 4.5 ft person (140cm) at max.. anyone beyond that would be squeezed .. and nearly impossible to sit there..

And on the handling and driving note .. I would definitely lean towards any bimmer .. yet the Q7 is not that bad as well.. serious perks and safety..
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      01-16-2021, 06:27 PM   #3
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I’d suggest an SQ7 or bump up to the X7.
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      01-16-2021, 07:43 PM   #4
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Have had a Q7 and now the X5 (no third row) - third row is not really "adult" designed in either, from my quick test drives and inspection while shopping X5s. Small children, not small adults. Audi may be a hair larger, but not significantly enough to make a difference I don't think. I did use the Audi third row for quick transport rarely, but more than a few minutes would be fairly uncomfortable for a grown-up. The best that can be said is, better than the roof or the luggage compartment. X7 for serious transport of adults in the third row, or if absolutely a requirement even larger.
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      01-16-2021, 09:25 PM   #5
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I've owned many different Q7 and X5... along with X7. X7 50i M-Sport sounds about right for you and will tick all the boxes. Do not do the Captain's chairs and stick with bench.
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      01-16-2021, 09:50 PM   #6
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Have the 3rd row in our X5 and no issues for kids. My daughter 5’7” has sat back there on road trips with my grandson in the second row with no issues.
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      01-16-2021, 11:01 PM   #7
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I recently leased x5 with third row. Coming off a gls but decided I did not need as much car as my four children are now older and 3 drive on their own and one has now moved to nyc.

I would say for anyone over the age of 12 it's for emergency use. It's ok for trips less than a half hour and not for daily access as I find entry and access a bit slow. Did use it more than expected over the holidays but wouldn't put anyone over 120 pounds in that row for a road trip.

If looking for a large suv with 3 rows you can't go wrong with the updated gls. I had a 550 and you can't beat the v8 if you want the performance.
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      01-17-2021, 10:09 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by 3284me View Post
Have the 3rd row in our X5 and no issues for kids. My daughter 5'7" has sat back there on road trips with my grandson in the second row with no issues.
Good to know! My girls are 9 and 5 so they will mostly be sitting in the third row. Hopefully we'll be ok for duration of a 3 year lease.
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      01-17-2021, 10:13 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by njguy View Post
I recently leased x5 with third row. Coming off a gls but decided I did not need as much car as my four children are now older and 3 drive on their own and one has now moved to nyc.

I would say for anyone over the age of 12 it's for emergency use. It's ok for trips less than a half hour and not for daily access as I find entry and access a bit slow. Did use it more than expected over the holidays but wouldn't put anyone over 120 pounds in that row for a road trip.

If looking for a large suv with 3 rows you can't go wrong with the updated gls. I had a 550 and you can't beat the v8 if you want the performance.
Thanks!! How do you like the air suspension? Any noticeable difference vs the regular suspension. I was planning to get the M Sport package.
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      01-18-2021, 03:20 AM   #10
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I have the third row seat, actually didn’t have a chance to put my kids there yet.
For reference, I have the previous Gen X5 (F15), also with third row. I think comparing both just by the look, there’s a little more leg room for the new one (if both seats moved all the way to front).
My son was 5’3” and the old X5 is quite cramp for him, he doesn’t like sitting there for any long trip. My daughter is 5’ and she found it barely acceptable. For the new one, I think it should fair a little better but it’s no full size third row.
They need to sit there only very occasionally (like once a month or so), for that purpose it works fine.

Also, the new one is all electric for the 2nd row (to move seat front and back, to tilt seats all the way up to allow third row access, to fold down completely for complete flatbed). It’s actually nice once in a while and seems more luxurious, but it’s somewhat slow. If you have to use the third row often, I actually think it slows it down.
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      01-20-2021, 06:53 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kchan View Post
I have the third row seat, actually didn’t have a chance to put my kids there yet.
For reference, I have the previous Gen X5 (F15), also with third row. I think comparing both just by the look, there’s a little more leg room for the new one (if both seats moved all the way to front).
My son was 5’3” and the old X5 is quite cramp for him, he doesn’t like sitting there for any long trip. My daughter is 5’ and she found it barely acceptable. For the new one, I think it should fair a little better but it’s no full size third row.
They need to sit there only very occasionally (like once a month or so), for that purpose it works fine.

Also, the new one is all electric for the 2nd row (to move seat front and back, to tilt seats all the way up to allow third row access, to fold down completely for complete flatbed). It’s actually nice once in a while and seems more luxurious, but it’s somewhat slow. If you have to use the third row often, I actually think it slows it down.
Thanks. That is a perfect comparison. Now I am trying to find a local dealer that has one I can test drive. Any thoughts on the air suspension vs regular suspension?
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      01-21-2021, 07:47 AM   #12
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I have had the F15 with 3rd row and anyone under 160cm should be ok there Our kids were small when I bought it.
Move forward 7 years I now also have a G05 with 7 seats and my daughters are 8 and 9 and they sit there when granny n granpa come anx we go on trips etc.
You'll love the air suspension in g05 not floaty boaty at all. Minimum body roll and good comfort (albeit sportier comfort).
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      01-21-2021, 03:48 PM   #13
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Air suspension does not mean floaty...that's up to the shocks. What's nice with air suspension is that the vehicle is always riding level and as opposed to an approximation of a progressive spring in steel, it's truly progressive throughout its entire range. It can safely be softer for small bumps because of the progression as the air becomes compressed during a bump. Being able to make it squat for loading is a plus, and raising it for trying to get through a place where it's desired or needed is one, too. In some modes, at highway speeds, it will slightly lower itself which can help with handling and efficiency as there'll be less air going underneath where it's harder to streamline the flow.
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      01-21-2021, 05:04 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iconoclast View Post
I've owned many different Q7 and X5... along with X7. X7 50i M-Sport sounds about right for you and will tick all the boxes. Do not do the Captain's chairs and stick with bench.
Hello, I am curious why no captain chairs recommended? Thanks
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      01-21-2021, 06:54 PM   #15
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More leg room with the bench seat, the opening between the Captain's chair is too narrow to use as a crawl space, the plastic cup holder between the seats looks cheap and collects debris and salt, having the seats at different positions triggers my automotive-ocd.
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      01-21-2021, 08:08 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KRS_SN View Post
I have had the F15 with 3rd row and anyone under 160cm should be ok there Our kids were small when I bought it.
Move forward 7 years I now also have a G05 with 7 seats and my daughters are 8 and 9 and they sit there when granny n granpa come anx we go on trips etc.
You'll love the air suspension in g05 not floaty boaty at all. Minimum body roll and good comfort (albeit sportier comfort).
Perfect. That's almost exactly my use case.
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      01-21-2021, 08:19 PM   #17
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I'm REALLLLY trying to convince myself the X5 will work for my family. However, after seeing pictures another member posted for me of the space in the 3rd row I'm not so sure it will work.

Thus, I've delayed my decision until the new MDX arrives this weekend at my local Acura dealership. I know it won't be anywhere close to the driving experience. It ticks 100% of the other boxes though. The will have a type-s model with a 355hp engine arriving this summer too. But it's for my wife anyhow so that would be overkill. And I'll still have my M .

https://www.acura.com/future-vehicles/2022-mdx
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      01-22-2021, 11:42 AM   #18
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I bought a G05 with 3rd row option last year and it works for us and our 2 babies (2 year old and 1 year old) with rear facing car seats in the 2nd row. My mom is moving in with us so we'll be using the 3rd row a lot.

After visiting the dealership and testing it all out in person, we found that sliding the front passenger seat forward to slide the 2nd row seat forward gave me enough room in the 3rd row where I could honestly say I'd be comfortable sitting in the 3rd row for about an hour at a time. So is it ideal for long road trips? Probably not... but it does the job for sure within the city. I'd have no problem being back there 5 days a week.

PS - I'm only about 5'7" and my wife about 5'4". If you're 6'0"+ it may be a different story. Although there is a lot of legroom in the 2nd row in our configuration given how much space rear facing car seats take up...
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      01-22-2021, 02:53 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iconoclast View Post
More leg room with the bench seat, the opening between the Captain's chair is too narrow to use as a crawl space, the plastic cup holder between the seats looks cheap and collects debris and salt, having the seats at different positions triggers my automotive-ocd.
Thanks!
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      01-22-2021, 03:14 PM   #20
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Hello, I am curious why no captain chairs recommended? Thanks
I’d recommend the captains chairs. We have two kids under 3 and it works for us. I never had a problem hauling things or the positioning affecting my OCD. Everyone has an opinion ...what matters is what works for you and your lifestyle.
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      01-22-2021, 06:40 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by 1230vani View Post
Hello, I am curious why no captain chairs recommended? Thanks
I’d recommend the captains chairs. We have two kids under 3 and it works for us. I never had a problem hauling things or the positioning affecting my OCD. Everyone has an opinion ...what matters is what works for you and your lifestyle.
Thank you. I just thought that the kids soon to be teenagers would have more space, also those handrests look awesome
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      01-22-2021, 07:50 PM   #22
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You get approximately 2" more leg room with the standard bench versus the Captain's chairs. I have them and regret the option despite having the best fitment for snowboards and surfboards. The benefit of the Captain's chair is the individual customization and calibration of the seats.
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