Audi Malaysia has been trying very hard to revive its brand image in Malaysia for quite a while now. However, all this time, Audi Malaysia has only been selling fully imported models in the Malaysian market. This did not give them much of an advantage when competing with rivals, as most of them assemble their vehicles locally. Not too long ago, Audi Malaysia finally decided to start assembling a vehicle locally for the Malaysian market, and that vehicle is the Audi Q7, one of Audi’s flagship SUVs. With the start of this local assembly programme, Audi aims to bring the prices of its vehicles on par with its competitors. With the launch of the Q7, this is our chance to see how well the locally assembled vehicle performs.

While this may not be an all-new generation Q7, it is an updated version of the current model. This means the SUV retains its overall silhouette but gains several new features. No matter how you look at it, the Q7 carries a safe kind of handsomeness, as its design is not offensive at all. Audi designers have managed to make the Q7 look elegant yet muscular, ensuring it won’t be ignored by other road users. To add to the sportiness, the locally assembled Q7 comes with blacked-out trims, making it look even meaner.

Being a typical Audi design, the front of the vehicle features a large grille that gives the Q7 its family identity. Flanking the grille are two full LED headlights that shine brightly in the dark. It also comes standard with Matrix LED high beams, although I didn’t get the chance to see them in action as I mostly drove in well-lit areas. At the rear, the SUV gets OLED taillights, which give the Q7 a more upmarket look. Additionally, the Q7 comes with soft-close doors for that extra touch of luxury. Lastly, it rides on 22-inch rims wrapped in 285/35 R22 tyres. The rims complement the overall look very well, while the red brake calipers enhance the sporty appeal.

Once you open the door, you are instantly greeted by a typical Audi interior. There are plenty of premium materials around the cabin, with solid fit and finish that make the car feel expensive to the touch. The dashboard design is similar to the one found in the Q8 e-tron, placing everything exactly where you would expect, especially if you are familiar with Audi interiors. On the dashboard, you’ll find a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch infotainment display, and an 8.6-inch climate control screen.

In terms of graphics, the instrument cluster offers the same sharp and high-resolution visuals as the Q8 e-tron. Everything is easy to read, and the infotainment system is equally intuitive to use. It comes standard with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with a 360-degree camera to assist with parking. The infotainment system is paired with a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. However, one thing I’m not a fan of is the location of the wireless charger. It is placed inside the centre console, which does not do a good job of dissipating heat. Other than that, everything on the dashboard is well laid out and easy to reach.

In terms of seating, the Q7 offers very comfortable seats with plenty of adjustability. One standout feature is the adjustable side bolsters, which help the seat hug you more tightly when needed. The front seats also come with a massage function to relieve pressure during long drives. On top of that, seat heating and ventilation are available to keep the driver comfortable at all times.

Moving to the second row, the seats are just as comfortable as you would expect from an Audi. They are full-sized, providing proper thigh support to ensure comfort on long journeys. Legroom and headroom are both generous, making long-distance travel very pleasant. Shoulder room is also ample for three adults. Rear passengers get their own dual-zone climate control, allowing both sides to set their preferred temperature.

Accessing the third row is made easier as the second-row seats fold forward to create space to climb in. However, the third row itself isn’t particularly spacious. If the second row is pushed all the way back, legroom in the third row is almost non-existent. On the plus side, the second row has enough room to be adjusted forward slightly to accommodate third-row passengers. Still, like most three-row SUVs, the third row has a slightly squatting seating position. Another downside is the lack of dedicated air-conditioning vents, which is something even some cheaper SUVs offer.

With all seats up, the Q7 offers about 300 litres of boot space, which is quite limited for a vehicle of this size. However, this is typical for three-row SUVs, as the third row takes up cargo space. The best way to maximise practicality is to fold down the third row, which expands the boot capacity to a generous 770 litres. If that’s still not enough, all seats can be folded down to create a flat loading floor for even more storage.

Under the hood, the Q7 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine shared across various Volkswagen Group models. It is similar to the engine found in the Volkswagen Touareg but tuned differently. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. It produces 340 PS and 500 Nm of torque, enabling a 0–100 km/h time of 5.6 seconds and a limited top speed of 250 km/h.

Despite the Q7’s weight, the 3.0-litre engine delivers strong performance. It offers plenty of low-end torque, so it doesn’t have to work hard to get the vehicle moving. However, at times, the mild-hybrid system can make the engine feel slightly sluggish, especially when accelerating after coasting. Under normal driving, though, the throttle response is adequately responsive. In terms of NVH, the engine is impressively quiet, with very little noise entering the cabin even under acceleration. As expected from a V6, it is also exceptionally smooth. Paired with the 8-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain delivers a seamless driving experience. Gear changes are smooth and barely noticeable. However, being a V6, fuel consumption is higher than a typical four-cylinder engine. I managed an average of 12.8 L/100 km with careful driving, while normal driving returns around 14 L/100 km.

To ensure maximum comfort, the Q7 is equipped with air suspension, which does an excellent job of absorbing road imperfections. This keeps all occupants comfortable while also helping the vehicle remain composed in corners. Body roll is well controlled despite the SUV’s weight. Combined with the all-wheel-drive system, the Q7 handles corners confidently. The steering is sharp, although, like most modern systems, it feels quite light. Still, there is enough feedback to make driving enjoyable.

As expected from Audi, the Q7 comes with strong brakes that offer good pedal feel, allowing for smooth and controlled stopping. In addition, the SUV is equipped with a full suite of driver assistance systems to ensure safety. The best part is that these systems can be turned off if desired. Features include adaptive cruise control, swerve and turn assist, park assist with parking system plus, Audi Pre Sense front and rear, side assist with exit warning, rear cross-traffic assist, lane departure warning, and Audi Connect emergency call and service.

For the Malaysian market, the Q7 sits in a very interesting position. Priced at RM 462,272, it is quite competitive, especially now that it is locally assembled. It offers a strong alternative to the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE for buyers seeking a large family SUV. While its exterior design may be understated, the Q7 is packed with modern features to keep occupants safe and comfortable. Personally, I appreciate its more traditional, car-like interior without overly large screens. The SUV feels premium and is undoubtedly one of the nicer-driving options in its segment. If you are considering one, you won’t go wrong with it.

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