Mother Proof's view

I’ve been waiting for a car to come along that is chic enough to look good on those moms among us we all want to be. You know, the moms who look fab running errands, wearing denim with grape-juice stains for the third day in a row and pulling it all off with the utmost panache. This fantasy car of mine must go much deeper than surface level, however. It must be functional and practical, with fit and finish features that are actually well thought-out (you’d think that with so much money going into new vehicle designs this would be apropos, but you’d be surprised). This fantasy car of mine must be designed and engineered by someone clever, someone in the know. Maybe a genius or a savant, or, better yet, a parent.

Audi has accomplished nearly everything on my wish list with its first entry into the SUV market. Fanciscus “Franc” Van Meel (father of two and chief engineer of the Audi Q7), has plenty of real-world experience as a dad and enough thoughtfulness to interject his life experiences into the engineering of the Q7, making Audi’s first SUV a highly functional vehicle wrapped in a great metro-chic package.

Franc gave me a thorough tour of the Q7 features that make it practical for families. For example, the panoramic sunroof that spans the huge 5.6-foot-length of the roof, in combination with the reclining second-row seats, can help the kids fall asleep, Franc said. If there’s too much sun during daytime trips, a sun-blocking screen can be closed by the driver or by the rear passengers themselves. Ten cupholders strategically placed throughout the vehicle and angled appropriately in the front and back in-door pockets for easy access are “a double-edged sword,” Franc said. “They’re very useful, but with so many drinks the kids always have to use the bathroom.”

Other great features for families abound in the Q7, such as Latch connectors that are open, visible and accessible to any who must use them (don’t worry, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel when the kids get to booster-seat age). An electronic opening and closing tailgate is fabulous for those of us used to hauling armfuls of stuff. This one also has a clever programmable height feature. If you’re opening the cargo door in a parking garage that’s tight on head space (here comes the “metro” part of that metro-chic description), or you simply want easier access to the tailgate (for us shorter family members), simply push the tailgate button again once it’s reached the appropriate height and it will program itself not to open any further. To reverse the program, just apply upward pressure to the tailgate and it goes back to its original setting.

Speaking of cargo, Franc enthusiastically directed me to the plastic under-floor, leak-proof storage bin with handles that easily lifts out to help parents haul junk from the car, to the house and back again.

All the rows of seats fold completely flat in a one-step process (lift the lever, slowly lower the seatback and the head restraint will fold by itself), making the Q7 a model of flexibility. Five-, six- and seven-passenger seating is available on this car.

Since we’re talking about families here, safety is obviously a hugely important factor, and the Q7 isn’t lacking in this arena either. Side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats are standard on all Q7 trim levels. A backup camera, in conjunction with rear acoustic parking assistance, is especially important for families with young children who might linger behind the car as it’s backing up. Audi’s backup camera goes one step further with an on-screen steering guide that shows the path of trajectory the car is taking. The camera is also positioned to show the rear bumper itself, and the trailer hitch if equipped to help, well, hitch a trailer. At least, that’s what Audi tells me, though I haven’t actually tried hitching anything to this car. Call me metro.

According to a study by the German Insurance Association, 25 percent of all accidents are caused by driver inattention, or even drivers falling asleep at the wheel, even for a nanosecond. The Adaptive Cruise Control available on the Q7 helps combat this alarming statistic. ACC allows the Q7 to speed up and slow down (or even stop) to maintain a set distance behind the car in front of it. However, if immediate braking is deemed necessary by the car and its entourage of radars, and the driver doesn’t react within an allotted amount of time, an audible signal and a red flashing light in the instrument panel alert the driver. If that’s not enough to scare the living daylights out of you, a quick jolt of the brakes will certainly catch your attention.

Another feature in the Q7 that adds to the safety factor is Audi’s Side Assist. “Intelligent radars” on the vehicle keep an eye out for other cars that might be in the Q7’s blind spot. If a vehicle is traveling in this critical zone, a yellow LED on the side mirror, visible only to the driver, is illuminated. If the driver signals a lane change while another car is still in the critical zone, the LED grows brighter and flashes to alert the driver.

After listing all the pros of the ’07 Audi Q7, there’s something I just have to get off my chest. Audi’s Multi Media Interface, which controls the stereo system, navigation and air suspension, is, quite frankly, a pain in the butt. Audi says that “since its inception, MMI has been unmatched in its intuitive control and usability.” Hmm – intuitive and usable for whom? With displays on two screens and controls located below the gearshift, in Mother Proof’s real-world testing, MMI proves to be overly complicated and highly distracting to the driver. True, MMI is slightly less complicated than others out there (namely BMW’s iDrive), but it’s nowhere near intuitive or easy to use.

For its overall combination of functionality (MMI excluded), flexibility and chic modern design, the Audi Q7 wins a piece of my affection. At a base price of nearly $50,000, however, if I start saving now I figure I can buy one in 2026. With any luck, they may still be around.

*For more information on the 2007 Audi Q7 and its safety features, visit www.cars.com.

LET’S TALK NUMBERS

LATCH Connectors: 2

Seating Capacity (includes driver): 5,6 or 7

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample

Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample

SENSE AND STYLE

Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great

Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times