Audi Q7 SUV

Audi was late to the luxury-SUV ranks, watching for almost a decade as BMW and Mercedes-Benz took the initiative with the popular U.S.-built X5 and M-class.

But since the Q7 launch in 2006, Audi has made quite an impression. In three years, the Q7, which shares mechanicals with the Porsche Cayenne and the Volkswagen Touareg, has had sales of almost 230,000 worldwide. Not bad.

Now, with the global credit crunch, Audi is introducing a facelifted Q7, which, at prices similar to those charged until now, is claimed to offer greater value while providing the choice of a frugal new 3.0-liter V6 diesel. This pitches the Q7 against BMW's X5 xDrive 35d and the ML350 CDI Bluetec from Mercedes.

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