Used Audi Q7 2006-2015 review

The Audi Q7 was the company's first attempt at a seven-seat luxury SUV. It combined a desirable badge on the front with seven seats and a solid build quality, and it could tackle a muddy field and ferry the family around without breaking a sweat.

This first-generation version ran from 2006 until 2015, when an all-new second-generation Audi Q7 version replaced it.

It's a huge car, though, even in its original form as here, being over five metres long and nearly two metres wide, despite which it's not as large inside as you might expect. On top of that, in some people's eyes it's singularly short of style, an important element at this price level and among its premium competitors.

The Q7 is better-suited to on-road driving, but the air suspension system can raise and lower the ride height as required for any off-road antics. At lower speeds the ride can be unsettled, but this disappears on faster roads.

It's also surprisingly agile for such a large vehicle, with decent four-wheel drive grip through corners and good body control. The Q7 is refined and although wind and road noise can be heard, it doesn't distract.

The interior has reasonable space in the first two rows of seats, although not as much as you might expect for such a large car, but the third row is best reserved for children. Boot space is acceptable, but it can be enlarged by folding down the rearmost seats into the boot floor when they're not needed.

So, the Q7 is a bit of a mixed bag. The second-generation version is actually one of our favourite cars, but this first one is harder to recommend. However, if you're in the market for a prestige badge on a large car that can carry seven people, at a pinch, and you can afford to pay for the fuel and servicing costs, then a used Q7 might make a lot of sense.

Interested in buying a used Audi Q7? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

You can buy a Q7 for as low as £3000 if you're prepared to put up with a high-mileage example, but we'd recommend avoiding those because at this age condition is king.

Around £5000 to £8000 will get you a car with an average (under 100k) mileage, with a full service history. If you're prepared to spend between £8000 and £15,000 you'll find good condition 2011, 2012 and 2013 models. Spend £15,000 on the last 2014 and 2015 cars.

Check the value of a used Audi Q7 with What Car? Valuations

Find used Audi cars for sale

MPG: The diesels have an official claimed average fuel economy figures of 27.2mpg for the 3.0-litre, 25.5mpg for the 4.2-litre and 25mpg for the 6.0-litre. That compares with a claimed 22.2mpg for the 3.0-litre petrol and 20.8mpg for the 4.2-litre petrol. These figures were all arrived at under the older NEDC testing procedure, which has since been superseded by the stricter WLTP tests.

CO2 & road tax: All models have high CO2 emissions, so you will pay a lot of road tax no matter which model you buy.

Insurance: Insurance groups range from 35 to 50, so your premium won't be cheap, either.

Servicing: Servicing costs might make you wince – an oil and filter change will be especially expensive. Tyres and other spare parts are equally pricey. There are a number of independent Audi specialists who will take on servicing an older Q7 at a cheaper rate than an Audi main dealer.

Just two engine options were available at the car's launch: a 345bhp 4.2-litre V8 petrol and a 230bhp 3.0 TDI diesel unit. Both provide good performance and smooth delivery of power.

A 276bhp 3.2-litre petrol model was introduced in 2007, along with a 326bhp 4.2 TDI diesel. In late 2008, a 6.0-litre V12 diesel producing a whopping 493bhp went on sale.

In reality, petrol Q7s are rare on the used market, so looking for a diesel will be the sensible option. The number of 3.0-litre vehicles on the market makes them the best for running costs and resale values. The Q7 is available only as an automatic.

Entry-level models come with alloy wheels, climate and cruise control, while SE trim adds electrically adjustable, heated leather seats and enhanced cabin detailing. S-line cars get sports seats and trim.

Our favourite Audi Q7: 3.0 TDI SE

The BMW X5 can be had with the option of seven seats, added to which it's great to drive, comparatively, and solidly built. The interior is well equipped and logically laid out and there's plenty of room for the five in the first two rows of seats.

The first-generation Volvo XC90 has a relatively spacious interior with seating for seven, on top of which it has a classy interior with lashings of leather and plenty of standard kit. Its diesel engine can be gruff and the low-speed ride occasionally wobbly, and it's not the greatest car to drive, but it is a used car bargain and the best way of cheaply transporting a large family around in a stylish premium produce.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here