2007 Audi Q7

On a trip to Lake Arrowhead for a final reconnaissance run for our 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year, managing editor Matt Stone signed out the Q7 and came away "impressed at how it handles the mountain passes and how it manages to fly by vehicles half its size." Further, the many high-speed sweepers leading up to Arrowhead only highlighted the Q's qualities, which, according to Stone, include "plenty of grip, reasonable body roll, and good communication with the road." He further notes the Audi's six-speed Tiptronic transmission, which can be set to Drive, Sport Drive, or Manual, is a delight and at a 6000-foot elevation the "4.2-liter V-8 really hangs in there when the air gets thin." The only con during his 200-mile drive was the giant dual sunroof, which "on a hot day let's in too much sun and heat, asking the A/C to work double overtime to keep up."

OTHER MT VOICES

Drove the Q7 to and from Car of the Year, filled with coolers, snacks, and drinks, all of which seemed to expand in size and number by the time the event was over (I'd swear I only brought three coolers up and I brought four back--and all of them were full). Add to that the wheel/flat tire from one of the vehicles in the event, and the cabin was crammed with gear from behind the front row all the way to the cargo door. Yet driving the Audi was effortless. The Q7 will do what you ask, and it does it without complaint. Want to whiz past slowpokes on the highway? Right foot down--you're gone. Want to control shifts yourself? Feel free--the response is quick, and the control is instantly rewarding. However, there were a few occasions when passing someone at speed downshifts were a little slower than I would've hoped. The S-line suspension and wheel and tire package provide too harsh a ride on the freeway, but I didn't get to experience the payoff (the improvement in handling), as I didn't want to slosh ice and Mountain Dew all over the interior. Also got a hair under 15 mpg on the trip, which isn't bad considering I spent that time driving ... enthusiastically ... with a full cabin. -ALLYSON HARWOOD