Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 has been a second tier player in a crowded segment of luxury crossovers, but according to Cars.com reviewer Bill Jackson the diesel version of the Q7 manages to distinguish itself with a sure-footed, muscular ride that gives any driver a reason to smile. Yet the Audi has a few marks against it, one of which is a deal-breaker for Jackson. To find out what that is and if it will keep you from even test-driving a Q7, read his full review.

2009 Audi Q7 Review

Audi Promotes Diesel Engines Over Hybrids

While all the hype may surround hybrids, plug-ins and electric vehicles, Audi has chosen to push clean-diesel engines as an efficient alternative to standard gasoline-powered cars. You’ve probably already seen the ads for the diesel Q7 SUV that the automaker introduced earlier this year, and Audi will also roll out a diesel A3 wagon in late 2009. In campaigns for both cars, the automaker wants to emphasize that diesel vehicles cut oil use substantially.

According to Audi, if a third of Americans drove diesel cars, daily imported oil use would fall by 1.5 million barrels, because diesel engines are 30% more fuel-efficient than gas-powered models. It also points out that roughly half of Europe’s cars are diesels. Right now, diesels make up 3% of U.S. sales, while hybrids account for 2.4%, according to J.D. Power and Associates.

While both types of cars certainly have a lot of room to grow, there are some key issues Audi will not bring up in its drive to sell diesel cars. For instance, while it’s true that some clean-diesel vehicles qualify for tax credits, so do some hybrids. Audi’s point is that the technology for diesel vehicles is here right now, but again, the same can be said of your standard hybrid.

Audi Announces Pricing for 2009 Q7 TDI

Audi announced that its 2009 Q7 TDI will start at $51,900. The Q7 TDI has a clean-diesel engine that complies with emissions regulations in all 50 states and gets 17/25 mpg city/highway. That’s a 30% improvement over gasoline engines of a similar size. The Q7 also qualifies for an Alternative Motor Vehicle tax credit of $1,150.

The 2009 Audi Q7 TDI will go on sale later this month.