Audi Q7 Euro NCAP crash test

5 stars. Overall excellent performance in crash protection and well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash avoidance technology

The passenger compartment of the Q7 remained stable in the frontal offset test. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger. Audi showed that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sitting in different positions. Protection of the chest was marginal for both driver and passenger. In the full-width rigid barrier test, chest protection was again marginal for the rear passenger but other critical body areas were well or adequately protected, for both occupants. In both the side barrier test and the pole impact, protection of all critical body areas was good and the Q7 scored maximum points in these tests. Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injuries in the event of a rear-end collision. A geometric assessment of the front seats also indicated good whiplash protection. The standard-fit autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system performed well in tests of its functionality against other vehicles at the low speeds, typical of city driving, at which many whiplash injuries occur, with collisions avoided in almost all test scenarios.

In both the frontal offset and side barrier tests, protection of both the 6 and 10-year dummies was good for all critical body areas, and the Q7 scored maximum points in this part of the assessment. The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded. Audi's information indicates that the second-row centre seat and the optional third row seats are not suitable for certain universal child restraints. With these exceptions, all installation checks were passed.

The Q7 has an 'active', deployable bonnet. Sensors in the bumper detect that a pedestrian has been struck and actuators lift the bonnet to provide greater clearance between the surface and the hard structures in the engine compartment. Audi showed that the system worked reliably for various pedestrian statures and across a range of speeds. Accordingly, the vehicle was tested with the bonnet in the raised 'deployed' position. Test results indicated good or adequate protection over most of the bonnet surface. The bumper provided good protection to pedestrians' legs at all test locations. Protection of the pelvis was mixed, with some areas well and others poorly. The AEB system of the Q7 can detect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, as well as other vehicles. In tests of its response to such road users, the system performed well with collisions avoided or mitigated in most test scenarios.

The Q7 has a seatbelt reminder system for all seats. The AEB system performed well in tests of its response to other vehicles at highway speeds. The lane support system helps to avoid inadvertent drifting out of lane by warning the driver and applying a gentle steering correction. The system also intervenes in some other more critical situations. Speed assistance is provided by a camera and digital map-based system which identifies the local speed limit and presents this information to the driver, who can then manually set the limiter as appropriate.