Audi Q7 scores top in safety with IIHS

As America tries to ween itself off SUVs, here comes a reason to think twice. The Audi Q7 has just been named Top Safety Pick for 2008 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The luxury SUV from Ingolstadt scored "good" (the institute’s top rating) in all three crash tests: side impact, offset frontal and the rear impact seat test. To qualify for the accolade, a vehicle must win this grand slam (so to speak) and be equipped with electronic stability control, which is standard on every Audi.

This has been a good year for the company, because its A3, A4 and A6 cars were also recognized as Top Safety Picks by the IIHS, earning the most of such designations for any luxury brand this time around. The Q7 also has some safety features that the institute doesn’t necessarily factor into its equations. Permanent Quattro all-wheel drive, obviously, plus ABS brakes, daytime running lights, tire pressure monitor and a blind-spot warning system.

Starting at $42,500 for the 3.6-liter version, which gets 14 mpg in the city, the Q7 seats up to seven people. But 2009 sees the launch of the 3.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel version. This will be legal in all 50 states, should post much better fuel consumption figures, and the combination of torquey engine and SUV body could make a lot of sense to potential buyers.

-- Colin Ryan

Photo: Audi

Comments

[Charger02]

Now that's a really nice car. I would definitely buy one. It's well worth the money, especially since it's so safe.