The concept of a big, luxury SUV that can fit seven people is no stranger to the UAE or, indeed, the wider world. Even someone not interested in cars could name a few of these types of vehicles, particularly if sand is the default surface of their surroundings. No surprise, then, that Audi thought it a good idea to knock up a couple of options for those interested in this very form of charabanc.
The Q7, which first launched about 15 years ago, is one of these, and you certainly won’t feel claustrophobic should you climb inside its fulsome interior. Plenty of leg, head and general wriggle room in the cabin and, if you don’t need to lug seven passengers about, more than enough space for the weekly shop, a couple of blow-up canoes and a suitcase or two at the same time.
This 2020 version has had a series of styling tweaks from the previous generation, such as a rejigged front grille, smoothed-down bumpers (both front and rear) and two-tone paintwork as standard.
By virtue of deduction, then, you'll have rightly surmised this isn't a heads-down-and-charge type of vehicle, so prospective purchasers may not want to be taking it to Yas' drag-racing strip. It's designed to ferry you around in extreme comfort, while keeping you safe from the outside world. And it does that nicely, if that isn't damning a perfectly respectable set of wheels with faint praise.
When you get behind the wheel, your surroundings invoke distinct feelings of serenity, making what’s happening outside seem irrelevant. And plenty of us could use some of that, particularly in these stressful times.
As we’ve ascertained, the Q7 doesn’t have the mad power and acceleration of the speediest of its rivals, but it’s a good deal more comfortable than many of them and not lacking in grunt when you need to get a shunt on. Particularly in the model being tested here, which is the 55 TFSI quattro.
The engine is a turbocharged 3-litre V6 mild hybrid, and its clever little management system chooses the optimum operating strategy for a long or short jaunt, up hill or down dale. Being all-wheel-drive, the Q7 is also perfectly capable of going off-road, should the tarmac run out. You can get from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in around 6.1 seconds, if you’re still on the hard stuff.
In the Q7 range as a whole, there are three mild-hybrid engines available, which comprise two diesel and one petrol option.
The gadgetry inside the cabin is decent, with twin touchscreens which, along with the satnav and entertainment options, will show views of the outside world from almost every angle. Button-wise, everything is electrically operated right down to the opening and closing of the tailgate. There are lots of places to stash bits and bobs and getting the seats configured is a simple process.
The Q7, then, is almost van-like in what it can hold. Considerably more fun to drive, though, and that flash interior will keep you feeling rather more cosseted that your average flatbed truck, that’s for sure.
Car supplied by Audi Abu Dhabi
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lewis Hamilton in 2018
Australia 2nd; Bahrain 3rd; China 4th; Azerbaijan 1st; Spain 1st; Monaco 3rd; Canada 5th; France 1st; Austria DNF; Britain 2nd; Germany 1st; Hungary 1st; Belgium 2nd; Italy 1st; Singapore 1st; Russia 1st; Japan 1st; United States 3rd; Mexico 4th
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
