BIG, beefy and packed to bursting with technical wizardry, Audi's Q7 takes larger-than-life SUV motoring to a whole new dimension.

Buyers want a whole lot of value for their hard-earned cash and these days versatility is high on the demand list too.

The Q7 meets all the criteria with ease. On first inspection the four-door all-wheel-drive model looks like a five seater, but upon closer analysis there are two additional seats folded-flat in the boot making this a seven-seater. 

The vehicle looks amazing from every angle thanks to sweeping light clusters, twin tail pipes, body-coloured door mirrors and door handles, tinted windows and 20-inch alloys.

There is a real presence about the Q7 and you won't be disappointed once inside where creature comforts are plentiful and the premium build quality is apparent at every turn.

Features include an incredible entertainment system with first class sat nav, hard drive, DAB radio, cruise control, a very efficient dual-zone climate control system, double glazing and much more besides.

This car's interior was predominantly black with a combination of leather and Alcantara materials used throughout. The seats have memory settings and offer incredible support.

With those extra seats folded flat the boot is extremely large and there is even an under-floor storage area. Elsewhere, there are plenty of useful storage compartments throughout the cabin including a deep central bin.

All the main controls are housed in a central stack making them easy to access without distraction.

The driver has excellent all-round visibility thanks to the high-seated driving position which is an obvious bonus as so many of these vehicles are spotted on the dreaded school run.

Powered by a 3.0-litre diesel driven engine, the Q7 literally cruises along eating up the road in its path.

The eight-speed automatic transmission is very responsive and there is an option of steering wheel-mounted paddles for those wanting to take control of gear changing.

Road-holding is flawless and the cabin noise relatively low for such a large vehicle.

All occupants have plenty of head, leg and elbow space and those in the rear even have their very own sun blinds.

As one would expect, Audi has packed a comprehensive list of safety features into the car and although very few drivers would dare leave the Tarmac, the all-wheel-drive capabilities does mean the Q7 is equipped to deal with any unpredictable weather that should blow in.