MB R350 vs. Audi Q7 4.4
#1
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2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
MB R350 vs. Audi Q7 4.4
Has Anyone test-driven the Q7 before you bought the R-Class?
I test drove the 4.4 Q7 today and definitely have some mix feelings. I have been shopping for a R350 for more than a month now and am currently working with my dealer to get me the car.
Here are some of my after-thoughts:
Exterior
Advantage: Q7 - Very agressive looking and definitely nicer front end. The standard 18" wheel is also very nice and has lesser wheel gap than the R350. Look at it in person, I definitely think it is one of the nicest looking SUV out there today and is also much better looking than my X5.
Interior
Advantage: Tie - The quality of the material is about the same but it seems like the Audi layout is a lot more refined. On the other hand, not sure what Audi is thinking but the Q7 uses some "industrial/office" looking barber carpet and it looks absolutely horrible. One thing did surprise me is the Q7's second row leg room "almost" as long as the R. The third row is a joke however and I don't believe adults can even get to the third row seats due to the tiny space.
Handling:
Advantage: R350 - Q7 probably is the worst handling European car that I have ever driven and it reminds me my first 1987 Ford Taurus. No road feel ... YIKE!!
Power:
Advantage: R350 - Q7 has a 4.4V8 but I don't feel like it provides better power than the R350. I am sure the R500 will blow that thing away. Total disappointment.
Gas Mileage:
Advantage: R350 - MPG 14/18 (Q7)
Price:
Advantage: Q7 - With the base MSRP of $39K, Q7 is about the same price as the heavy discount R350. However, the options of the Q7 are much more advanced and refined than the R350, so Q is definitely provided better value than the R.
Conclusion - I am not super impressed with the overall Q7 but definitely fall in love with the exterior. Seriously, I think Q7 is better comparsion to the GL than the R since they are most likely serving the some target customers. In the mean time, I definitely will wait for the new Q7 3.6 that is coming out in 3 weeks.
http://microsites.audiusa.com/AudiQ7/html/flash.html
I test drove the 4.4 Q7 today and definitely have some mix feelings. I have been shopping for a R350 for more than a month now and am currently working with my dealer to get me the car.
Here are some of my after-thoughts:
Exterior
Advantage: Q7 - Very agressive looking and definitely nicer front end. The standard 18" wheel is also very nice and has lesser wheel gap than the R350. Look at it in person, I definitely think it is one of the nicest looking SUV out there today and is also much better looking than my X5.
Interior
Advantage: Tie - The quality of the material is about the same but it seems like the Audi layout is a lot more refined. On the other hand, not sure what Audi is thinking but the Q7 uses some "industrial/office" looking barber carpet and it looks absolutely horrible. One thing did surprise me is the Q7's second row leg room "almost" as long as the R. The third row is a joke however and I don't believe adults can even get to the third row seats due to the tiny space.
Handling:
Advantage: R350 - Q7 probably is the worst handling European car that I have ever driven and it reminds me my first 1987 Ford Taurus. No road feel ... YIKE!!
Power:
Advantage: R350 - Q7 has a 4.4V8 but I don't feel like it provides better power than the R350. I am sure the R500 will blow that thing away. Total disappointment.
Gas Mileage:
Advantage: R350 - MPG 14/18 (Q7)
Price:
Advantage: Q7 - With the base MSRP of $39K, Q7 is about the same price as the heavy discount R350. However, the options of the Q7 are much more advanced and refined than the R350, so Q is definitely provided better value than the R.
Conclusion - I am not super impressed with the overall Q7 but definitely fall in love with the exterior. Seriously, I think Q7 is better comparsion to the GL than the R since they are most likely serving the some target customers. In the mean time, I definitely will wait for the new Q7 3.6 that is coming out in 3 weeks.
http://microsites.audiusa.com/AudiQ7/html/flash.html
Last edited by supernsx; 07-22-2006 at 11:56 PM.
#2
Originally Posted by supernsx
Has Anyone test-driven the Q7 before you bought the R-Class?
I test drove the 4.4 Q7 today and definitely have some mix feelings. I have been shopping for a R350 for more than a month now and am currently working with my dealer to get me the car.
Here are some of my after-thoughts:
Exterior
Advantage: Q7 - Very agressive looking and definitely nicer front end. The standard 18" wheel is also very nice and has lesser wheel gap than the R350. Look at it in person, I definitely think it is one of the nicest looking SUV out there today and is also much better looking than my X5.
Interior
Advantage: Tie - The quality of the material is about the same but it seems like the Audi layout is a lot more refined. On the other hand, not sure what Audi is thinking but the Q7 uses some "industrial/office" looking barber carpet and it looks absolutely horrible. One thing did surprise me is the Q7's second row leg room "almost" as long as the R. The third row is a joke however and I don't believe adults can even get to the third row seats due to the tiny space.
Handling:
Advantage: R350 - Q7 probably is the worst handling European car that I have ever driven and it reminds me my first 1987 Ford Taurus. No road feel ... YIKE!!
Power:
Advantage: R350 - Q7 has a 4.4V8 but I don't feel like it provides better power than the R350. I am sure the R500 will blow that thing away. Total disappointment.
Gas Mileage:
Advantage: R350 - MPG 14/18 (Q7)
Price:
Advantage: Q7 - With the base MSRP of $39K, Q7 is about the same price as the heavy discount R350. However, the options of the Q7 are much more advanced and refined than the R350, so Q is definitely provided better value than the R.
Conclusion - I am not super impressed with the overall Q7 but definitely fall in love with the exterior. Seriously, I think Q7 is better comparsion to the GL than the R since they are most likely serving the some target customers. In the mean time, I definitely will wait for the new Q7 3.6 that is coming out in 3 weeks.
http://microsites.audiusa.com/AudiQ7/html/flash.html
I test drove the 4.4 Q7 today and definitely have some mix feelings. I have been shopping for a R350 for more than a month now and am currently working with my dealer to get me the car.
Here are some of my after-thoughts:
Exterior
Advantage: Q7 - Very agressive looking and definitely nicer front end. The standard 18" wheel is also very nice and has lesser wheel gap than the R350. Look at it in person, I definitely think it is one of the nicest looking SUV out there today and is also much better looking than my X5.
Interior
Advantage: Tie - The quality of the material is about the same but it seems like the Audi layout is a lot more refined. On the other hand, not sure what Audi is thinking but the Q7 uses some "industrial/office" looking barber carpet and it looks absolutely horrible. One thing did surprise me is the Q7's second row leg room "almost" as long as the R. The third row is a joke however and I don't believe adults can even get to the third row seats due to the tiny space.
Handling:
Advantage: R350 - Q7 probably is the worst handling European car that I have ever driven and it reminds me my first 1987 Ford Taurus. No road feel ... YIKE!!
Power:
Advantage: R350 - Q7 has a 4.4V8 but I don't feel like it provides better power than the R350. I am sure the R500 will blow that thing away. Total disappointment.
Gas Mileage:
Advantage: R350 - MPG 14/18 (Q7)
Price:
Advantage: Q7 - With the base MSRP of $39K, Q7 is about the same price as the heavy discount R350. However, the options of the Q7 are much more advanced and refined than the R350, so Q is definitely provided better value than the R.
Conclusion - I am not super impressed with the overall Q7 but definitely fall in love with the exterior. Seriously, I think Q7 is better comparsion to the GL than the R since they are most likely serving the some target customers. In the mean time, I definitely will wait for the new Q7 3.6 that is coming out in 3 weeks.
http://microsites.audiusa.com/AudiQ7/html/flash.html
If I wanted to get a true 4-seat (comfortably) high-roof hatchback, I would stick to my X3 (which is the best driving dynamics SUV-type vehicle this side of a Cayenne Turbo).
For anyone looking to seat more than 4 people comfortably in a vehicle, the R cannot be beaten. The thing that lets it down is the exterior looks, which can be somewhat overcome if one goes with a lighter color. I think the white is the best color in the R and that is what I was going to get but it lacked Airmatic and Keylessgo. Then the dealer found a Barolo Red with all my required options and that's the one I am getting. Hope to pick it up next week.
#5
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
The R is definitely the most color sensitive model in MB's current lineup. Darker colors just make it look too much like a van or dare I say hearse. Pewter, Alpine Rain, White, and certain greys make it look much better, especially if you get the AMG pack. I like the R's look myself, but only with the larger wheels and/or the AMG pack. With the small wheels and darker colors it looks quite goofy, if not ugly to most.
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