Model tested: Audi Q7 4.2 V8 FSI Tiptronic (left-hand drive)
Price: £48,580 on-the-road (not on sale at time of writing)
0-62mph: 7.4 seconds
Top speed: 154mph
Combined economy: 20.8mpg
Kerb weight: 2270kg
Relevant links: First drive in US-spec. Audi Q7 / All Audi road tests.

Our man Bodiford in the US has already driven this car and you can read his detailed account elsewhere on the site, but this was my first chance to get behind the wheel and sample Audi's first real SUV for myself.

The most outstanding thing about the Audi Q7 is its sheer size. Sitting in the comfy driver's seat, it felt as if I'd have to shout to passengers behind me, never mind in the third row at the rear. Audi has done a thoroughly good engineering job on the Q7 though, as it shrinks around the driver once on the move. The V8 may have 345bhp, but this is a heavy car so performance is brisk rather than rapid. The steering is light, but direct and the suspension did a good job of soaking up the ups and downs of the Hill Route. We look forward to trying the UK-spec. Q7 late this year.

Shane O' Donoghue - 26 May 2006