Audi Q7 (2015 - present)

Following the success of the first-generation model, the Audi Q7 is now in its second generation. It's enormous and well made, as well as sumptously decorated on the inside.

It's pitched directly at premium off-roaders such as the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, Porsche Cayenne, Land Rover Discovery, Volvo XC90 and Range Rover. It’s a seven-seater, so it could be ideal if you’re looking for a luxurious people carrier with the desirable image of an upmarket SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) - but be prepared to pay for the privilege, as the entry-level costs from around £47,000.

From the outside, the Q7 is instantly recognisable as an Audi with a large, imposing front grille and intricately detailed headlights with LED daytime running lights. It’s a bit plainer and less sculpted along the sides and at the back, but it’s a smart looking car and disguises its size remarkably well in the metal.

Inside is where the Q7 plays its trump card. It has a beautifully built interior: the dashboard is made from high-quality materials and everything looks and feels very expensive. Plus, there’s plenty of space for all of the family - there’s even a decent 295 litres of boot space available with all seven seats in place, so it makes for a great choice if you need a large car to carry the family around in.

There are two diesel engines to choose from. The 3.0-litre TDI diesel engine has two power outputs, 215bhp and 268bhp, both of which are smooth, quiet and surprisingly economical for such a large car. This engine also forms the basis of a plug-in hybrid version called the Q7 e-tron, which is the most economical Q7 you can get: in theory it can achieve 166.2mpg and emits just 48g/km of CO2 because it’s a plug-in hybrid, so you can charge up the battery to boost efficiency. Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale is the SQ7, which is powered by a 4.0-litre TDI diesel producing 435PS.

On the move, the Q7 is no race car (unless you opt for the SQ7, which has a startling 4.9-second 0-62mph time), but it’s very smooth and corners well for a car of its size, with minimal bodyroll. If you pay a little extra for the optional air suspension, the Q7 glides over rough surfaces and is exceptionally comfortable, too. The Q7 also makes for a great car for towing: the powerful diesel engines have plenty of torque, which means it’s strong enough to pull large caravans and trailers. The standard eight-speed automatic gearbox has very smooth shifts, too.

The Q7 is a very safe car, scoring a maximum five stars in Euro NCAP crash safety tests. In addition to a well-specified list of standard safety kit, there’s also a long list of optional extras that you can specify to make it even safer, including driving assistance systems such as blind-spot monitoring and a system that keeps you in your lane on the motorway.

The Q7 sits in a very prestige (and, as a result, quite expensive) area of the car market, with some seriously premium rivals. The Q7 does have the advantage over some of those rivals by virtue of its seven seats – a third row is an option in the X5 – but all the cars at this level offer high-quality comfort, smooth highway motoring, safety and some degree of off-roading ability. The Q7 vies with the XC90 for the title of Best Interior, while the e-tron offers economy and (theoretical) low running costs. If you’re looking to do some serious, regular off-roading, the Discovery or Range Rover are better bets, but the Q7’s quattro system will enable the soft-roading capabilities that some buyers will occasionally need.