Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro Clean diesel S line 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The V6 engine delivers an impressive power output of 242 bhp at 3800-4400 rpm with a torque rating of 405 lb-ft at 1750-2750 rpm. A top speed of 135 mph is lower than that offered by the petrol versions but a 0-62 mph time of just 8.0 seconds is respectable.

On top of this, the car still handles well and Audi’s experience with air-suspension really comes into play in this range. Steering is sharp and responsive, making handling easy and fluid, however the ride is a little too firm - a common problem with Audis - and bumps and potholes can really be felt in the cabin.

The 3.0 litre TDI Quattro Clean diesel S line offers a decent supply of kit. Standard features include power steering, central locking, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, alloy wheels, climate control, cruise control, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity and a stereo system with CD player.

Whilst the list of options may seem extensive many rivals offer MP3 connectivity as standard with their stereos – something which costs an extra £255 in this car. Other options such as a metallic paint finish on the outside also incur additional costs (£765) with a built-in sat nav priced steeply at £1,510.

Compared to the SE trim level the S-line comes with a part-leather rather than full leather interior as standard.

In terms of safety, this model comes fitted with driver, passenger and front side airbags as standard. An alarm and immobiliser are also fitted to protect the vehicle from theft and the car comes with a three year warranty for 60,000 miles. The car performed well in the NCAP crash tests where it achieved a four star rating for both adult occupant safety and child safety.

In terms of practicality the boot offers a more than ample 765 litres even when all the seats are in place. This means there is plenty of room for all seven occupants and their cargo. However, when the additional seats are not needed they can be folded to give a storage capacity of 2,035 litres - making it more than suitable for family use.

The spaciousness of the boot is continued in the cabin, offering high levels of comfort to passengers and drivers. Overall the cabin is roomy and whilst the additional two seats are a little cramped for adults they still offer more room than the Q7’s competitors, helping this model perform well in its class.

Priced at £47,185 this model is far from cheap and costs £2,795 more than the model without the 'clean diesel' technology. Fuel consumption of 38.2 mpg is much better than the petrol models and this is the main advantage of the diesel TDI Q7s. Green credentials also better with just 195g/km of carbon dioxide emitted, giving the diesels the lowest road tax costs of the range under tax band J. The added benefit of the ‘clean diesel’ system helps to reduce the emissions of other harmful chemicals, making the car more eco-friendly.

The addition of the ‘clean diesel’ system could be seen as a benefit by some drivers but unfortunately there are few financial savings offered by the system and that means the higher purchase price is somewhat unjustified, making the less eco-friendly option potentially more popular.