I had the joy before to load a wardrobe into a Q7 and I came to the latter conclusion: the interior space is small given it's massive external dimentsions.
An Audi A6 station wagen seems to be WAY more practical in every aspect from interior space to driving and parking.
I think estates are way more practical cars than SUVs for almost every situation, except off roading and the deep snow perhaps, and would have beenmy personal choice (but my car's a Fiat 500)
many thanks for all the inputs...as much as I would love to get my boys to walk to school...they are 5 months and 5 years old....also the school is approx 8-10kms away!! Even if they were 15 years old...that would be a ask!
We dont intend to drive to the city regularly with the Q7....also as suggested if thge need arises we will buy small run around....reason for Q7 is that it has 7 seats ad when family come our 2 boys can sit in the last row!.....also its a new car and with the euro bonus and fleet discount we are getting approx 30% off which covers 18 months depreciation....parking will be a issue for all new cars which are big as parking spaces are old and havent been updated for new cars...the A6 and A8 are big cars as well.....also the new Q7 2012 model is offering better mileage based on the ew engine....
Rgds
Toyota make the well regarded Previa, or failing that, import an Alphard for that touch of lux:
Finally, a plea for NOT getting a second car just to do the grocery shop. What a waste. Just buy the one car, and use it and the great public transport as well.
I have two coworkers with Q7s (and one with a Cayenne) and the one with the 2008 4.2 model can't even get into the underground-garage without risking the integrity of his rims - that's why he got a parking space above ground.
At least, the Cayenne looks nicer - but certainly none of these cars I'd buy when the primary requirement was to transport 7 people.
Because they are so heavy, they aren't even that good on snow or bad roads (unless with snow-chains I guess).
Most cars from Audi/VW you can get with 4x4 anyway (4MOTION) - no need to buy an SUV.
Id personally rather take public transport for the rest of my life than to drive those things....Simply getting difficult to make em uglier than that....but that my opinion.
Have you checked the jeep commander ? not the prettiest either but I like it alot and with merc being so heavily involved in the Chrysler business you basically get a merc for the price of a jeep
or the toyota landcruiser ; now there s a brute
If the children are small - then an A4/3er/V50/C-Class - with 4wd are more than adequate.
Once they grow real legs move up to an A6/5er/V70/E-Class.
When family come over - just hire them a car - if they want to be chauffered about - or half-taxes and train tickets.
A Q7 is going to cost 15,000chf MORE than the same A6 (NEW) - that gets you a lot of hire cars/half-taxes/train tickets - and that isn't counting the saving in fuel!
Coincidently, a Top Gear episode on BBC last night laughed at the sillyness of the Q7. Cool factor = 05/20...
@Treverus: ride an Alphard as a passenger
No, the repeated from 2 years ago episode laughed at a twin turbo v12 diesel version of the q7 costing close to £100k
if the op wants a q7 then who is anyone to judge them?? Op, buy what you want, you're the one who has to live with it.
yes, but repeating an entertainment programs opinion of the top of the range version of a car to try to prove a point isn't exactly fair imho