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Poor fuel economy is often a drawback to a large SUV, but the availability of a diesel engine in the Audi Q7 gives this luxury utility vehicle fuel economy on par with that of a family sedan.

The Q7 TDI has a 3.0-liter, turbodiesel V-6 that is rated at 17 miles per gallon in the city and 25 on the highway. I easily averaged 18 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.

Putting a diesel in the Q7 makes great sense. The turbodiesel delivers 406 pound-feet of torque compared to 350 pound-feet of torque from Audi’s 4.2-liter gasoline V-8. The V-8’s fuel mileage is rated at 14 city and 19 highway.

The beauty of a diesel, which is no longer loud and sooty, is that it delivers so much torque right from idle. Quick acceleration comes with a stab of the throttle. Otherwise, the engine is hard to distinguish from one that burns gasoline.

Clean-diesel technology produces smaller engines with a lot of torque, and their carbon emissions are 20 percent less than emissions from a gasoline engine. Audi quotes an Environmental Protection Agency analysis that said that if one-third of Americans used clean diesel instead of gasoline it would save 1.5 million barrels of oil per day and be the equivalent of planting 2.2 billion trees.

The Q7 TDI has a base price of $50,900. The test car was loaded with options and had a sticker price of $62,375.

Conceptually, the Q7 is closer to a luxurious all-wheel-drive station wagon than it is to an off-road SUV. It has a coupelike profile and pronounced nose. The design is a study in detail perfection. Cut lines and body seams are integrated into the overall design so well that they become exclamation points instead of detractions. The test vehicle had optional 20-inch wheels.

Even though the Q7 is a large vehicle, it doesn’t drive like one. The ride and handling are not much different from a luxury sedan. It feels agile and athletic on winding roads where its bulk is well disguised.

This cabin is crafted in the style that has made Audi a leader in interior design. The surface textures are elegant and rich. Brushed aluminum is used as an accent. The gauges are easy to read, and controls are logical and nicely weighted.

The split-folding third seat doesn’t have a great deal of legroom, and getting into it can be a challenge.

Audi’s MMI multimedia controller on the center console operates the audio, climate control, navigation and basic vehicle functions. MMI is easier to operate than BMW’s iDrive, but it’s still not as easy to use as simple controls.

Standard equipment on the TDI includes a power tailgate, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and a trailer hitch.

The test vehicle was equipped with the navigation system, rear-vision camera, blind-spot warning system and a panoramic sunroof. I could easily do without the sunroof, but some folks are bound to like the way it makes the interior feel light and airy.

The audio system is available with Sirius satellite radio and a surround-sound function.

Safety items include side-curtain airbags, vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes and traction control.

Price

The base price of the test car was $50,900. Options included the navigation system, rear-view camera, panorama sunroof, heated front and rear seats, 20-inch wheels, tow package and the S-line sport trim. The sticker price was $62,375.

Warranty

Four years or 50,000 miles.

2009 Audi Q7 Premium TDI

Engine: 3.0-liter, 225-hp V-6

Transmission: Automatic

All-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 118.2 inches

Curb weight: 4,935 lbs.

Base price: $50,900

As driven: $62,375

Mpg rating: 17 city, 25 hwy.

To get in touch with Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tom@tomstrongman.com.