New cars: Audi Q7 TDI

The New York Times

Diesels have finally come of age—no smelly fumes, relative quiet, great mileage. The well-appointed Q7 calls itself an off-roader, but that would be like “going fishing in a tux.” Despite an initial bit of turbo lag, this 5,000-pound vehicle passes with confidence. Navigation and entertainment controls are easy to use, but options can push the price tag up to $59,725.

USA Today

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Diesels can get up to 40 percent better mileage than similar-size gas engines. So it’s “easy to see the appeal” of this car. The Q7 is rated a combined city/hwy 25 mpg. TDI stands for turbocharging and direct injection, meaning that the engine delivers acceleration more quickly and produces less pollution. Direct injection also minimizes the typical diesel “rocks-in-a-tin-can sound.”

Popular Mechanics

The 3.0-liter, 221-hp V6 can hit 60 mph in 8.4 seconds—“none too shabby” given its substantial cargo capacity. It also generates a prodigious 406 pound-feet of torque—and “torque is what counts” when passing or towing. The six-speed automatic delivers power to all four wheels, and the 26-gallon tank provides for a range of 600 miles. “Quiet? Oh, yes.”