While the Q7 is a big recreational vehicle it gives you the feeling of (and handles like) a normal car with a real sporty feel even down to the leather steering wheel.  Amazingly there is no gross body roll when cornering, or when entering roundabouts and the like.  We punted it into a large roundabout just out of the CBD and the Q7 just dug in and drove round like a sports car which is quite amazing given its size.

Audi is a class act when it comes to interior design and this is no more typified than by the location and feel of the chunky gear selector allowing you to effortlessly change from auto to manual or sport mode.  Our test car was the 3 litre V6 turbo diesel driving a 6 speed tiptronic transmission.  The transmission has what Audi calls DSP (‘Dynamic Shift Program') which adapts to suit the driver's style and adapts to changing road conditions.  Gear changes can be made with the lever or, in our car, via paddles on the steering wheel - we had the optional (A$0.5k) multifunction leather covered 3-spoke steering wheel.

Creature comforts are many and varied - the Q7 is built for first class family travel with stacks of adjustable drink holders plus bins for keys, wallets, snacks, rubbish and sunglasses.  There are netted pockets for maps and books - there's a place for everything!  Another smart touch is the double sun visors, allowing you to shade the sun from the windscreen and the side windows simultaneously - a must when travelling in the late afternoon sun.  Our test car also came with the optional (A$4.4k) open sky sunroof system (which stretches 1.7m from front to rear) so the cabin felt light and airy with views for front and rear passengers (including those in the third row, if we'd had the six or seven seat option).  Comfortable leather seats and a great sound system with 6-disc CD changer complete the onboard creature features.  The sound system is integrated into the Audi MMI (Multi Media Interface) control system.  Unlike some of its competitors, we found the MMI system simply intuitive.  The Q7 parking sensor package includes a rear facing camera for a perfect view behind when backing, complete with lines and shading to show precisely where you're headed.  All this shows up on the 7" in-dash screen.  The front parking sensors produce an audible alarm with a visual representation showing the distance of objects from each sensor.

The usual front driver/passenger air bags and side curtain airbags are of course standard.  Headlights and Wipers can be operated automatically by the Light and Rain Sensors built in to the auto dipping rear view mirror.  This sensor system will also light your path when leaving or approaching the car.

Luggage storage for a travelling family is important and the Q7 does not disappoint in this area. The Q7's rear door opens effortlessly to reveal a large storage area with a multi adjustable aluminium luggage rack which slides on a track up against your luggage to stop any movement during travel. The rear storage compartment comes complete with privacy cover to stop any prying eyes.

Our Q7 had the optional (A$5.5k) ‘S' Line body kit which makes it look a lot lower and meaner. The ‘S' Line has an all black grille and has the normally contrasting lower panels painted in the primary colour.  The kit is good value as it includes 20" 5 double-spoke shadow grey alloy wheels, which if taken by themselves as an option cost A$5.4k.

On the freeway heading towards Geelong the Q7 gave us effortless comfortable travelling with good visibility all round. It has positively huge side mirrors which give an excellent view of what's happening around you.  Our test car was also fitted with Audi's new ‘Side Assist' system which warns of other vehicles in the traditional ‘blind-spot'.  Yellow LEDs in the exterior mirror housing permanently illuminate if another vehicle is in the ‘critical zone' or is approaching fast from the rear.  The LEDs are only noticeable when you look in the mirror.  If, while the system is in this state, you indicate to change lanes, the LEDs brighten and start flashing.  The system is controlled by two radar sensors in the rear bumper and has a 50 metre range.

Any bumps in the road are cushioned gently without that dreadful bouncing or rolling motion that many four wheel drives are prone to.  One feels in control instead of simply being just a passenger.  Our test car had the standard, but nevertheless sophisticated, Q7 suspension.  There is an optional adaptive air suspension (A$5.75k)which we hope to test in the near future.

Time did not permit us to take the Q7 off-road but we have spoken to a number of people who participated in test drives through a 4 wheel drive test track in Queensland during the Q7 launch in 2007. They were able to compare the Q7's performance against the leading luxury brands and it easily beat the pants off BMW, Mercedes, Porsche Cayenne and VW Tuareg in rugged, rocky 4WD climbs and difficult water and mud situations.

By the time we arrived in the lovely old fashioned coastal town of Queenscliff it was 1.15pm. The temperature was now 23, still sunny but a very strong wind had picked up sending a number of small boats running for cover. Over a hundred years old Queenscliff has some wonderful old buildings - a number of them are still run as guest houses and elegant 3 storey hotels with lookout towers in the grand federation style. It is still a popular weekend and holiday destination and visitors flock to the antique shops, gift shops and tea rooms that line the main streets. Queenscliff has an illustrious maritime history being the closest harbour to the entrance to Port Philip Bay. The Port Phillip Sea Pilots operate from here cruising out with pilots to meet cargo and passenger ships to navigate the dangerous, tricky entrance to the bay.  Once inside there are shallows and reefs to steer through so the pilot's job is very important and at times dangerous.  Fishing and fishing charters are also big business here and you can fish in the bay or at the entrance. The more adventurous anglers can venture out into Bass Strait for some deep sea fishing. We pulled into the large ferry terminal, paid our one-way fare of $55 to take us and the Q7 on a half hour trip across the bay to Sorrento. The wind had whipped the waves up into choppy white caps so we were glad to see that the Ferry was huge with a catamaran type hull for smooth sailing. The Ferries operate all year round, in all weather and leave on the hour in each direction. They can take up to a hundred vehicles on two decks and many foot passengers. At 2.00pm she docked and we drove onto the upper deck. When all cars were aboard we were able to vacate the Q7 and proceed to a passenger lounge. We propped at a large picture window and took in the view. As we sat waiting to leave, an orange pilot vessel flashed past heading off to meet a waiting cargo vessel that we could see lurking out in a very rough Bass Strait. Once underway we pulled out into the choppy turquoise sea and saw a number of small craft returning from their fishing trips. It was quite an effort for some of the smaller ones to judge the swell and surf in to the small entrance to Queenscliff harbour. Our trip was quite uneventful save for a few rolls when the ferry had the sea side on. Other than that it was smooth sailing and we finally arrived at the beaches and seaside mansions of Sorrento. It was school holidays so there were people everywhere in the town. We drove the main street looking for a parking spot but decided to bail out as it was too crowded. Sorrento and nearby Portsea are such popular up-market holiday locations. There are some spectacular multi-million dollar homes dotted along the cliffs and it has always been a destination for Melbourne's elite. Nowadays everyone flocks here as there are great shops and eating places. The hotels have it made as they are located right on the top of the hill and secure the best views. Just perfect for a sunny day under an umbrella with a cool drink and some nice fish and chips! Reluctantly as 5.00pm loomed we drove along the coast to the seaside town of Rye and headed inland for the freeway and home. We can say quite confidently the Q7 was impressive, easily the best four wheel drive we have driven to date.

Audi Q7 courtesy of Audi Centre Doncaster