Audi was a late arrival at the SUV party with its Q7 but luckily for the four-ringed brand the shindig is showing no signs of ending given the continuing popularity of such go-anywhere luxury behemoths.
Audi's cute Q7 catchphrase reads: "For 25 years Audi has created quattro for its cars. Now, it's created a car for quattro."
The question is whether it offers anything new or innovative in the SUV game.
I think it has more exuberant styling than the typical blob-shaped SUV, particularly at the front with its super-sized, gnashing oval grille. It looks like a super-sized RS4.
People who buy this titanic Teuton won't be seeking anonymity. Neither will they be cramped and, for those who set store in the "bigger-is-better" theory, the Q7 delivers.
It's the largest SUV in its class, even longer than rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz ML, BMW X5, Volvo XC90 and VW Touareg; its dimensions are close to the more expensive new Mercedes GL.
The Merc GL, however, comes with seven seats as standard while the Q7 gets a third row as an extra-cost (R10 000) option.
There is somewhat less space in the Audi's third row than in the Benz GL. The leg and head-room is a bit cramped for adults and makes the Q7 reallysuited to lugging five grown-ups and two children.
Space in the front two rows is vast, however, and a quartet of rugby players could sit there without unwanted intimacy.
The Q7's rear seats can variously be stowed to expand boot space to cavernous. It's user-friendly with little muscle work involved, cleverly designed so a seat can be tipped down and simultaneously slid forward at the touch of a single lever.
The same goes for the (optional) electric tail door (R5 100); press a button and it glides open or closed by itself. Under that tailgate is a truly gigantic boot and the standard luggage area of 775 litres is claimed to be the best in its class.
The Q7 confirms Audi's reputation for making the most appealing interiors in the business. The cabin blends leather/suede seats with a soft-touch fascia and the right number of shiny bits to create an elegant sporting ambience.
Single controller
A multitude of functions is combined in a fashionable single controller comprising a knob and buttons between the front seats. From here you can access the audio system, car suspension set-up and (optional) satellite navigation (19 000).
It's generally intuitive and easy to use but the same can't be said of the air-conditioning, which is more complicated than it need be. For instance, you can't adjust the fan speed by simply twiddling a knob, but have to access an electronic menu first.
The standard suspension has conventional steel springs and 205mm ground clearance but the adaptable air suspension - a R21 000 option - allows the driver to adjust ride height from a freeway-hugging 180mm to a boulder-clambering 240mm.
There's no low range; Audi says Q7 customers are unlikely to indulge in Camel Trophy-type adventures.
Nevertheless, it's able to tackle much of the great outdoors thanks to its decent ground clearance and all-wheel drive. A self-locking central differential automatically ensures optimum power distribution to each wheel.
Grunt department
There's no shortage in the grunt department. The Q7 is available with a choice of two engines: a 4.2-litre petrol V8 producing a claimed 257kW and 440Nm and a three-litre turbodiesel for which Audi quotes 171kW and 500Nm.
We tested the turbodiesel version and that torque figure says it all. As big and heavy as it is, this German colossus cruises up intimidating slopes with disdain. It has lots of lusty cruising muscle and hums along in near-silence.
Up on the Reef there's some turbo lag on take-off but there's nothing you can do about it because of the automatic gearbox.
This initial dead spot isn't serious but enough to be mildly irritating when you're in a hurry. Fuel consumption averaged 13 litres/100km - a bit high given that the similarly powered BMW X5 3.0 turbodiesel averages 9.6.
The six-speed auto gearbox shifts smoothly and quickly without annoying hunting for gears. Normal and sport modes are offered as well as a manual mode operated by buttons on the steering wheel.
Floating comfortably
Ride quality, at least on the (another option) air suspension of our test vehicle is one of the Q7's better traits and it floats comfortably over ruts.
The Q7 handles pretty well for its size but doesn't quite "shrink" around you. This is a big tank and feels like it, especially when you try to thread it through gates or garage doors, which all suddenly feel way too small.
At least there's an electronic helper in the form of a warning beep that sounds if you're getting too close to an object when parking and a reversing camera (yes, an option, R9 000) ) that projects the view behind the car on to a screen on the fascia.
Also useful is the Q7's camera (you guessed it! - another R5000) which illuminates a light in the relevant external mirror when a vehicle's in your blind spot.
SUMMARY
From Ingolstadt comes a very competent luxury barge with great power, presence and comfort. Audi's had a lot of time to see how the others do things and get it right.
But count how many times we used the word "option" in this review. Most of our favourite features on the Q7 are expensive add-ons and that means its R520 000 price tag isn't as competitive as it seems.
Add on R69 000, as tested. Too see all the extras you might want to pay for, click here and click on 'Add model'.