The second-generation Audi Q7 has been round for a really very long time, and but I am fairly certain I’ve by no means pushed one. Shrug. Generally new automobiles fall via the cracks and simply keep there. Fortunately, this SQ7 with crimson leather-based emerged from between the sofa cushions. I am truthfully a bit surprised by how good the steering is for an enormous SUV and the way cool its sport exhaust sounds. No shock that its Bang & Olufsen sound system sounds terrific.
However I am right here to speak about cargo capability, particularly behind its raised third row. This might be the form of three-row SUV the place the aftmost quarters are actually only for occasional, quasi-emergency use. Headroom is proscribed and an average-size grownup or teenager possible will not have sufficient legroom except one or two segments of the 40/20/40 second row are slid nearly all the best way ahead … during which case the second-row occupants will probably be cramped except these up entrance are on the brief facet. You will discover more room in a Volvo XC90, BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS. However there I’m going speaking about one thing aside from cargo …
The specs say there may be 14.1 cubic-feet of house behind the raised third row. That too is on the small facet of a three-row SUV, however typical for a luxurious mannequin. A quantity of 14.1 cubic-feet would fall in between the Cadillac XT6 (12.6) and Volvo XC90 (15.8). The present king of the phase, on paper and in observe, is the Lexus TX. Let’s examine how a lot you possibly can match within the Q7.
There’s truly a good quantity of size to the realm, however as you possibly can see above proper, the opening rake will possible restrict performance.
There’s additionally an underfloor space, nevertheless it’s, um, occupied within the SQ7. I am advised no Q7 has underfloor storage, nevertheless it certain makes accessing varied stereo parts and air compressor straightforward.
Let’s get to the luggage. As with each Baggage Check, I exploit two midsize curler suitcases that might should be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 vast, 11 deep), two black roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller inexperienced roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embody my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
Additionally, with each Baggage Check I do with three-row autos, I set the third-row recline to a pure, comfy angle. No Fats Joe “lean again,” no comfort-be-damned “the whole lot should match” 90 levels.
Not unhealthy, actually. This might be the smallest 4 luggage. I might alternatively match one of many massive ones with the inexperienced one and fancy bag on high. What you see above equals extra baggage capability, although.
That is precisely the identical because the XC90, though it was undoubtedly a snugger match right here for the inexperienced bag. Because the numbers recommended, it is manner higher than the XT6 (two luggage), not fairly nearly as good because the GLS (swap a type of medium black luggage on the underside for the large blue one), and manner lower than good ol’ Lexus Texas (all the luggage).
I used to be curious, although. Given the small third row, I puzzled if all the luggage would truly match if I lowered one half of the 50/50-split third row. I truly did this with the XT6 and XC90, so it appeared just like the truthful factor to do.
Sure, all luggage match, nevertheless it was VERY shut. Though extra room can be created by standing the large blue bag up, it might simply fall onto the third-row occupant with the primary whiff of a proper flip. It is unhealthy sufficient being caught again there.
The XT6 couldn’t match the flowery bag with this association. Once more, the XC90 was an identical (though to be clear, it has a extra spacious third row).
Actually, I used to be anticipating worse. The Q7 and SQ7 nonetheless aren’t suited to highway journeys with all rows full — even for those who pack mild or get a hitch-based cargo answer (this SQ7 did have a hitch), the possibilities of of us in each rows two and three being sad are excessive. However there I’m going once more speaking about one thing aside from cargo capability.
