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First time in 12+ years. There’s no Q7 in the garage.
Our trusty 2015 which I bought with our 2011s Diesel buyback money was at 149500 miles. Needed tires now. Brakes soon. Driveline fluids due for change. Battery beginning to sound weak on cold mornings. Had noticed slight coolant loss lately. I decided it was time. VW dealer had some 2024 Atlas’s which they needed to move. Wife liked the Peak Edition. Said it looked “ sporty”. It’s larger than the Q7. Lighter. Technology loaded. Have only driven it home. Time will tell.
I’ll still check in here. Old habit.
On a recent trip to the airport via Uber, I rode inside an Atlas for the very first time. I was impressed by the cavernous and comfortable interior. I can't help thinking how many of the new large SUVs are offering an experience previously supplied by mini-vans. But mini-vans aren't cool so they're offering AWD minivan-like platforms that look like SUVs! Anyhow -- the Atlas seems like an impressive mix of size, comfort, AWD, and reasonable economy for what it offers. Let us know how you like it!
Three weeks since the trade in of the Q7 and I see it has landed at a used car dealer 20 miles away. Quite a markup from the trade in allowance we got. It was running perfectly and looked great but I had added about 2 quarts of coolant over the past year and that was worrisome. Needed tires now, brakes soon. Buyer beware. :-) https://www.edmunds.com/audi/q7/2015...115/?radius=50
BTW we are enjoying the Atlas. Sure have to buy gas frequently though. Only holds 15 gal when low fuel warning comes on. Averaging 21 mpg on reg gas. TDI Q7 always averaged 22-23 on diesel. Regular about 25% cheaper than diesel so Atlas fuel cost approx 13¢ per mile vs TDI Q7 fuel cost approx 16¢ per mile.
( at current prices for reg gas and diesel)
Last edited by J. Patterson; Feb 14, 2025 at 08:04 PM.
Three weeks since the trade in of the Q7 and I see it has landed at a used car dealer 20 miles away. Quite a markup from the trade in allowance we got. It was running perfectly and looked great but I had added about 2 quarts of coolant over the past year and that was worrisome. Needed tires now, brakes soon. Buyer beware. :-) https://www.edmunds.com/audi/q7/2015...115/?radius=50
BTW we are enjoying the Atlas. Sure have to buy gas frequently though. Only holds 15 gal when low fuel warning comes on. Averaging 21 mpg on reg gas. TDI Q7 always averaged 22-23 on diesel. Regular about 25% cheaper than diesel so Atlas fuel cost approx 13¢ per mile vs TDI Q7 fuel cost approx 16¢ per mile.
( at current prices for reg gas and diesel)
I have first generation, first when they came out, one of the first ones delivered, it is generally a GREAT car, waaaay more comfortable and drives nicer then Q7. Im gonna say that its better in every single way then the Q7
I have first generation, first when they came out, one of the first ones delivered, it is generally a GREAT car, waaaay more comfortable and drives nicer then Q7. Im gonna say that its better in every single way then the Q7
LOL, well hopefully the new VW Atlas is very good considering the 4L Q7 was designed pre 2006...just about 20 years ago now. However, I just drove my steel susp Q7 TDI through 20" of fresh snow (took it a month to melt) and retrieved several other motorists 'stuck' vehicles with it, so I'm gonna say the UTILITY title still belongs to the old Q7. It takes me anywhere I wanna go, and my engine's not wheezing up a grade...it's owning it! Funniest thing ever was driving our '15 TDI home over mountains and passing all the gasoline 'performance' cars that had sped past me on the flatlands going up those mountain climbs, not that I was going slow on the flats mind you. I have a great deal of fun in my old Q7 TDI, and since it is literally a tank I think it rides very nicely indeed.
Comparisons kind of Apples to Oranges. Both have their qualities. The Atlas has far more advanced electronics and driver aids, Runs on regular gas, Is roomier with far better third row access. The Q7 has better though firmer suspension design that controls ride motions better. 3.0 TDI’s effortless torque is far superior to that of the 2 liter turbo in the Atlas. Atlas likely about the same 0- 60 as the TDI Q7 but seems to be working much harder when pushed. Atlas has 5000 lb towing capacity vs Q7s 6600. Give me time to put 100000 miles on the Atlas and ask me again. Did I mention the Atlas has cool lights? Seriously the advanced led headlights that steer and auto dim are pretty awesome.
I know you loved your TDI Q7. Too bad they stopped offering the V6 in the Atlas though, as that would've been a nice combo.
Since you are a tad bit down on power output for that size of vehicle, here's a good place to study on VW tuning options that allow you to keep the low octane fuel, but still add some sizzle, or even a larger side-order of sizzle should that be desired in future: https://www.goapr.com/products/software/ecu_upgrade/
Change your oil & driveline lubricants on a tight schedule and I'm sure that Atlas will end up being a good vehicle for you, especially if you put a tune on it. In general I've always liked the VW interiors design and ergonomics and were it not for the cargo space loss, I'd 100% be driving a VW T-Reg TDI right now rather than the Q7 TDI.
Thanks 10Q7TDI_Prestige. I had my 2001 TT 225 APR tuned over 20 years ago at APR when they were just a few Auburn guys starting out. Their headquarters is only 100 miles southeast of my home. Did lots of suspension improvements and bigger brakes along with 3 “ downpipe and Borla exhaust too. It was pretty quick on track and I had a lot of fun with it. That said, after all the years of track events and modifications and breaking stuff I just keep them stock now. Even my 6 speed manual S5 is stock as built. Plenty quick for me now as I’ve reached age 70 and have “ settled” a bit. ;-) Did love the two TDI Q7s though. Will miss them.
LOL, well hopefully the new VW Atlas is very good considering the 4L Q7 was designed pre 2006...just about 20 years ago now. However, I just drove my steel susp Q7 TDI through 20" of fresh snow (took it a month to melt) and retrieved several other motorists 'stuck' vehicles with it, so I'm gonna say the UTILITY title still belongs to the old Q7. It takes me anywhere I wanna go, and my engine's not wheezing up a grade...it's owning it! Funniest thing ever was driving our '15 TDI home over mountains and passing all the gasoline 'performance' cars that had sped past me on the flatlands going up those mountain climbs, not that I was going slow on the flats mind you. I have a great deal of fun in my old Q7 TDI, and since it is literally a tank I think it rides very nicely indeed.
well, we are comparing aren't we. I have a 3.6 atlas. Just had massive snow fall these past couple days. Had to take both of them for a spin in that fresh white sxit.ABout a foot of snow. I have same set of tires on both (Michelin cross climate 2) which are one of the best all weather tires especially for snow)
I will tell you this, Q struggled way more in that snow then the Atlas did. Although Atlas its haldex, and Q is proper quattro. I was surprised how well Atlas handles all kinds of driving conditions. It really shows the advancement in platform design, although its based of mk7 Golf (MQB) platform.
Q is so heavy that it cuts into snow way more and wider (275) tire vs 245 on atlas doesn't help, although its should have considering wider surface and should cut in less.
Wife drove Q few days ago and instantly said that its very harsh on the road, which I absolutely agree. It jumps over irregularities on the road like im driving slammed Civic. Unacceptable in my opinion. Tires at 40PSI, and Im gonna have to drop them even more. But then what Im reading, it chews through tires.
Comparing to A6 I had, which is same generation as the Q, Q is a downgrade. My opinion which I might change down the line using it longer.
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First time in 12+ years. There’s no Q7 in the garage.
It takes me anywhere I wanna go, and my engine's not wheezing up a grade...it's owning it! Funniest thing ever was driving our '15 TDI home over mountains and passing all the gasoline 'performance' cars that had sped past me on the flatlands going up those mountain climbs, not that I was going slow on the flats mind you. 
