With over five meters of length, the capacity to seat seven and tipping the scales at nearly 2,300kg, it isn't small. Just be thankful there's a 3.0-litre TDI engine option to keep the running costs reasonably inconspicuous.

The 3.0-litre TDI diesel engine fitted to the Q7 is offered in various models across the Audi range and it's proven to be a strong performer.

An exhaust gas recirculation system helps to deal with the extra nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions that diesels traditionally produce compared to petrol alternatives while the common-rail injection system with piezo injectors ensures that combustion is as efficient as possible in the first instance.

The 230bhp maximum power output is available at 4,000rpm but the headline figure is the 500Nm of torque that's produced at just 1,750rpm. Thanks to this, the Q7 responds to throttle inputs at low speeds in a manner that defies its bulk.

Floor it, and the engine, along with its 6-speed tiptronic gearbox, will contrive to get you to 60mph in 9.1s. If conditions allow, there's also a 134mph top speed to be explored.

The engine is noticeably noisier than the V8 petrol model but it's still very refined in the grand scheme of things.
At 70mph it's the rustling of the wind around the Q7's A-pillars that provides the acoustic accompaniment but it's at a muted level that means the Q7 is virtually as refined as an A6 executive saloon.

The standard Q7 looks fairly well-equipped with 18" alloys, rain sensing wipers, dark sensing headlamps, a CD stereo, cruise control, rear parking sensors and two zone climate control. If you want leather, and most Q7 customers probably will, you'll have to step up to the SE.

The 3.0-litre TDI engine makes a lot of sense in the Audi Q7. It has more than enough grunt to move this substantial vehicle around the place and it keeps fuel economy at reasonable levels. Despite the Q7's impressive on-road dynamics, you don't come away from driving the 3.0TDI version wishing for the extra power of the V8.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Audi Q7 3.0TDI
PRICES: £37,980-£41,380 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 16
CO2 EMISSIONS: 282g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 9.1s / Max Speed 134mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 19.4, (extra urban) 34.0, (combined) 26.9mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front airbags, side airbags,
seatbelt pre-tensioners, ESP, ABS, EBD, ASR.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4086/1983/1737mm
WHO TO SEE: Hadwins Audi, Lindale, Grange over Sands, Cumbria, Tel: 015395 35522.