Autobild Test: Q7 vs. X5 Vs. Cayenne S

[Cairns]

Thank you so much. Based on this I'm going to look at a Q7 this weekend. Before we bought BMWs we used to own Audi's. It can't hurt to look.

[X5Jay]

Originally Posted by xnsf

the cayenne looks out-of-place

you see the tech-laden ultra-chic X5
the classic and elegant Q7

and then this thing that looks like a hyundai

I happen to love the looks of the new Porsche - inside & out. Beyond that though, I just dunno...

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by Cairns

Thank you so much. Based on this I'm going to look at a Q7 this weekend. Before we bought BMWs we used to own Audi's. It can't hurt to look.

Its very impressive...I almost bought the Q7 before ultimatly deciding on the X5. The BMW Ultimate Service was the deciding factor for me...it was that close.

o, I also prefer the look of the X over the Q

[Cairns]

Yes I think the Q7 is fugly at least from the front. But I don't think I've ever seen one in person. The test tells me they're worth a look. The website says (to me) that they're quite reasonably priced and have a much better interface than the I Drive. $500 for an installed trailer hitch is a lot more reasonable the 12 to 16 hundred BMW wants.

The Porsche, IMO, is just hideously overpriced and represents a very poor value. While I own one (a 911 not a Cayenne) and love the marque everything- and I mean everything- is optional at an extra cost. If you want poor reliability why not get the Toureag and save thousands? You can buy the Porsche logo and stick it on for less than $20.

On the other hand, unlike BMW, Porsche can apparently supply the options it advertises.

[X5FX]

Their version of the Idrive is very similar to the X5's...I dont recall it being that much better. The interior is larger and the 3rd row is superior, it also has 3rd row airbags. The carpet they use is pretty cool, has a very nice, elegant appearance and looks like it would hold up much better than the BMW's. And of course it has Quatro...overall a very worthy competitor and worth a look.

Another point that led me to the X5 was in doing a google search on service and reliability it generally got low marks.

[X5_2_OBX]

I guess we are swaying a bit off topic here but I was once REALLY impressed with the Q7. Until the E70 came out. The exterior of the Q7 leaves a lot to be desired, it feels VERY tight inside even with the pano roof and the dash/console area are very cluttered. Not to mention, I currently drive an Audi A4 and while I *love* the car, Audi service and customer service need a MAJOR overhaul! If my family didn't know much about cars, we would have been screwed out of thousands of dollars by now. Thankfully, we are smarter than they are!

Back to the Pepper- I can't get far enough past the looks to appreciate what it offers in performance!

[Slalom]

I tried to buy a Cayenne, the dealer would not speak to me. I was dressed for work (corporate lawyer), showed up dirving my BMW, no other customers in the showroom. I felt like the invisible man. I guess he saw the BMW and he figured that his cause was hopeless!

[AzNMpower32]

I think the Q7 looks a bit odd, but not bad. Unfortunately it seems like they're having some trouble moving the Q7s off the lot..........my local Audi dealer has a zillion sitting while the E70 X5s are moving relatively quickly.

[X5FX]

Originally Posted by Slalom

I tried to buy a Cayenne, the dealer would not speak to me. I was dressed for work (corporate lawyer), showed up dirving my BMW, no other customers in the showroom. I felt like the invisible man. I guess he saw the BMW and he figured that his cause was hopeless!

funny thing is, I had the same experience at the BMW dealer.
When I finally got a salesman to talk to me, he unlocked the only X5 he had on the lot and showed me the interior. Then another salesman came up to him, took the key and said he was taking it for a test drive...just left me standing there.

[BG624]

Originally Posted by Cairns

Thank you so much. Based on this I'm going to look at a Q7 this weekend. Before we bought BMWs we used to own Audi's. It can't hurt to look.

I'm on my 3rd. Audi A8, great cars. We checked out the Q7 and it's real nice. Much more plush than the X5 and Audi's computer system is far superior to BMW's. The main computer difference is that with Audi you just push a button to get to the different functions (nav, radio, phone, etc.) and then use the wheel to navigate throught that function rather than having to go to the menu in I-Drive every time you want to change functions. The reason we're getting the X5 is that the Q's just too big and we don't need the extra space and my wife doesn't like the looks of it not to mention the fact that the X5 handles better and all service is free. The X5 is more of a drivers SUV.