New Telluride vs Used Audi Q7 ????

[Dandy]

At this time, my suggestion to you, comparing these 2 vehicles would be to find a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Q7. Ideally find one that is still under the 4 year/50000 mile original factory warranty. Audi's CPO warranty for this situation, the warranty will continue through the original period, it then continues for 5 years from original service date with unlimited miles. If the CPO vehicle is beyond the 4 yr/50K warranty, you get 12 months, unlimited warranty. See details in link below:

https://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/audiusa/CPO/2018-08-Audi-CPO-Limited-Warranty-Booklet.pdf

Granted, if you purchase a 3 year old vehicle, you only have 2 years of warranty left. We sadly don't have an Audi dealership within 60 miles of where I live, so that has always been a brand that is out. What surprises me always is that Audi and Porsche are part of the VW family, yet they seem to have better dependability. My wife had a Passat a while back, purchased it CPO with 21,000 miles (1/2 the price of a new one) and it had CPO warranty until 72,000 miles. We traded it off at 80,000 becasue there were so many little things that went wrong during the CPO warranty that we didn't want to risk keeping it. Granted, nothing was mechanical. It was a lot of bad switches, material separating on the door panels. Nothing that left us stranded or concerned, but the costs to keep the vehicle to our liking would have continued to climb.

KIA is building a better brand, but as mentioned earlier they are still not considered a high quality brand and the resale will be affected accordingly for some time. In addition, in our area our KIA dealer has a reputation for being less then forthcoming on just about everything. They seem to be sticking by the standards set by the car salespeople stereotypes. Not quite sure if I would trust them, which is why I am still looking. Our Hyundai dealer across the road from KIA has a fantastic reputation.

Good luck - tough decision.

 

[Alan]

At this time, my suggestion to you, comparing these 2 vehicles would be to find a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Q7. Ideally find one that is still under the 4 year/50000 mile original factory warranty. Audi's CPO warranty for this situation, the warranty will continue through the original period, it then continues for 5 years from original service date with unlimited miles. If the CPO vehicle is beyond the 4 yr/50K warranty, you get 12 months, unlimited warranty. See details in link below:

https://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/audiusa/CPO/2018-08-Audi-CPO-Limited-Warranty-Booklet.pdf

Granted, if you purchase a 3 year old vehicle, you only have 2 years of warranty left. We sadly don't have an Audi dealership within 60 miles of where I live, so that has always been a brand that is out. What surprises me always is that Audi and Porsche are part of the VW family, yet they seem to have better dependability. My wife had a Passat a while back, purchased it CPO with 21,000 miles (1/2 the price of a new one) and it had CPO warranty until 72,000 miles. We traded it off at 80,000 becasue there were so many little things that went wrong during the CPO warranty that we didn't want to risk keeping it. Granted, nothing was mechanical. It was a lot of bad switches, material separating on the door panels. Nothing that left us stranded or concerned, but the costs to keep the vehicle to our liking would have continued to climb.

KIA is building a better brand, but as mentioned earlier they are still not considered a high quality brand and the resale will be affected accordingly for some time. In addition, in our area our KIA dealer has a reputation for being less then forthcoming on just about everything. They seem to be sticking by the standards set by the car salespeople stereotypes. Not quite sure if I would trust them, which is why I am still looking. Our Hyundai dealer across the road from KIA has a fantastic reputation.

Good luck - tough decision.

Thanks for the feedback and link to the CPO. There aren’t as many CPO Audi Q7’s available in my area compared to regular pre-owned. I’m open minded on the exterior color but want the beige or gray interior (my last three cars had black leather, time to brighten things up!). Obviously there’s an up charge on the CPO’s vs pre-owned but then you have the peace of mind for longer if something were to go array. Audi’s I believe are pretty reliable (2 A6’s in my family and no issues). I definitely won’t rule out the Telluride though. The luxury, power and handling is not in the same league as the Audi (and wouldn’t expect it to be) but I love the look of the Telluride, the value proposition considering what it offers and the extended warranty. If it handles as well or close to my Mazda and doesn’t feel labored in different driving situations it will be a tough call to make!

 

[np86]

Thanks for the feedback and link to the CPO. There aren’t as many CPO Audi Q7’s available in my area compared to regular pre-owned. I’m open minded on the exterior color but want the beige or gray interior (my last three cars had black leather, time to brighten things up!). Obviously there’s an up charge on the CPO’s vs pre-owned but then you have the peace of mind for longer if something were to go array. Audi’s I believe are pretty reliable (2 A6’s in my family and no issues). I definitely won’t rule out the Telluride though. The luxury, power and handling is not in the same league as the Audi (and wouldn’t expect it to be) but I love the look of the Telluride, the value proposition considering what it offers and the extended warranty. If it handles as well or close to my Mazda and doesn’t feel labored in different driving situations it will be a tough call to make!

Being from NJ and now living in NY, I personally am hesitant to buy a CPO (atleast from this area) just because these cars are driven in "severe driving conditions" (eg, lots of stop and go, short trips) and we have an incredible amount of aggressive drivers. The cars may be CPO, but you always gotta worry about the damage already done to them.

 

[mrmac]

Thanks for the feedback and link to the CPO. There aren’t as many CPO Audi Q7’s available in my area compared to regular pre-owned. I’m open minded on the exterior color but want the beige or gray interior (my last three cars had black leather, time to brighten things up!). Obviously there’s an up charge on the CPO’s vs pre-owned but then you have the peace of mind for longer if something were to go array. Audi’s I believe are pretty reliable (2 A6’s in my family and no issues). I definitely won’t rule out the Telluride though. The luxury, power and handling is not in the same league as the Audi (and wouldn’t expect it to be) but I love the look of the Telluride, the value proposition considering what it offers and the extended warranty. If it handles as well or close to my Mazda and doesn’t feel labored in different driving situations it will be a tough call to make!

Of course, this is only my opinion. However, I test drove the New BMW X5, X7 and Audi Q7. I honestly don't feel there is very much difference in luxury between any of them and the KIA TELLURIDE SXP,

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[jw_tx21]

If it handles as well or close to my Mazda and doesn’t feel labored in different driving situations it will be a tough call to make!

BTW, I already said it will handle as well as your Mazda (allow for it being much bigger than the CX-5) but I also frequently find myself putting my Mazda in sport mode to get that extra boost feel due to the changes to the ECU. I rarely feel like I need to put the Telluride in Sport mode to get the response I'm looking for.. it stays in Comfort mode most of the time. When I do put it in Sport mode... it really flies.

 

[Alan]

BTW, I already said it will handle as well as your Mazda (allow for it being much bigger than the CX-5) but I also frequently find myself putting my Mazda in sport mode to get that extra boost feel due to the changes to the ECU. I rarely feel like I need to put the Telluride in Sport mode to get the response I'm looking for.. it stays in Comfort mode most of the time. When I do put it in Sport mode... it really flies.

Thanks, that’s reassuring to know. I don’t want something that drives like a Ford Explorer, I’d like to feel somewhat connected to the road !

 

[Dandy]

Thanks, that’s reassuring to know. I don’t want something that drives like a Ford Explorer, I’d like to feel somewhat connected to the road !

A bit off topic, but I bet the 2020 Ford Explorer will have a better driving feel to it being RWD or Rear Biased AWD. Entirely new platform for 2020. The platform excites me (on paper) but the rest of the vehicle does not, their vertical tablet design looks awful. The new Lincoln Aviator looks really nice, but is priced really high with no used options.

 

[WhiteSXP]

Currently in a XC60, and we test drove a SXP and a 2019 Audi Q7 Prestige on the same day. We weren't planning on buying a new Audi, but a used one, they just didn't have one available to test drive. The dealership comparison, was of course, no comparison. One felt like dining at a high end steakhouse, and the other felt like a Waffle House.

Of course the Q7 felt more luxurious and the ride more refined, but not that much more. In the end, we're 2+ hours from an Audi Dealership and just about an hour from a Kia dealership (a much nicer one than we test drove the SXP at). Factoring in the warranty, being able to have the Kia serviced locally for routine stuff, and future expected repair cost...we ordered the SXP. Wife looked at me cross eyed when I first suggested a Kia, and she loves her XC60, we just needed more room.

That was another thing that really surprised us, the SXP felt like it had so much more room in the 2nd and 3rd row than the Q7.

Now just the agonizing wait.

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[Alan]

A bit off topic, but I bet the 2020 Ford Explorer will have a better driving feel to it being RWD or Rear Biased AWD. Entirely new platform for 2020. The platform excites me (on paper) but the rest of the vehicle does not, their vertical tablet design looks awful. The new Lincoln Aviator looks really nice, but is priced really high with no used options.

I would hope so! Past generations of the explorer had pretty sloppy handling dynamics imo - I also agree I’m not a fan of the vertical tablet idea (Volvo too!). I think for main stream vehicles the Mazda brand punch well above their weight in terms of driving pleasure, premium feel and value. We’ve outgrown our Cx-5 and the CX-9 is a logical step up for the vehicle size I want but it’s a bit cramped up front, infotainment size and design lags behind the Telluride and doesn’t offer a Panoramic sunroof even in the signature trim. Mazda need to bring back the.CX-7, a larger 5 seater that would compete with the Nissan Mirano, Honda Passport etc. if I get the Telluride I’ll mainly use it as a large 5 seater, there’s nothing in the market right now I like for a large 5 seater!

 

[jw_tx21]

@Alan, I agree. think the CX-9 should become that two row option with more legroom in back and a little wider perhaps to open up front cabin. Can call it a CX-7... I think Mazda thought it was going the 3 row option with 9 to make it competitive with old Explorer and other former 2 row vehicles that added a 3rd row as an afterthought. But, we now have a generation of thoughtfully designed 3 row mid-size SUVs... and Mazda hasn't kept up. At least their CX-9 sales numbers say so.

 

[Alan]

@Alan, I agree. think the CX-9 should become that two row option with more legroom in back and a little wider perhaps to open up front cabin. Can call it a CX-7... I think Mazda thought it was going the 3 row option with 9 to make it competitive with old Explorer and other former 2 row vehicles that added a 3rd row as an afterthought. But, we now have a generation of thoughtfully designed 3 row mid-size SUVs... and Mazda hasn't kept up. At least their CX-9 sales numbers say so.

Think you’re spot on! Can’t fault Mazda on their driving dynamics but Mazda trying to stand out from the crowd with a “sexier” look appears to have lost its way as a 3 row suv. Ultimately 3 row suvs are about comfort and practicality. Kia got it right with the Telluride with good looks, comfort across the board, and function (decent cargo space is important to many and should be expected in this class of vehicle). It’s a better value overall to the CX-9 especially with regards to what a 3 row suv should be. I’d love to see a large 5 seater version of the Telluride come along with decent passenger and cargo space to compete with the Passport, Blazer, upcoming Atlas Sport etc.

 

[jw_tx21]

Think you’re spot on! Can’t fault Mazda on their driving dynamics but Mazda trying to stand out from the crowd with a “sexier” look appears to have lost its way as a 3 row suv. Ultimately 3 row suvs are about comfort and practicality. Kia got it right with the Telluride with good looks, comfort across the board, and function (decent cargo space is important to many and should be expected in this class of vehicle). It’s a better value overall to the CX-9 especially with regards to what a 3 row suv should be. I’d love to see a large 5 seater version of the Telluride come along with decent passenger and cargo space to compete with the Passport, Blazer, upcoming Atlas Sport etc.

Yeah, apparently Kia already has it - called the Mojave - see pics in this forum - but it's not planned for export to US at the moment. Maybe some version of it will make it here in a short while. Or maybe they will update the Sportage... I like its interior, but not in love with exterior. But then maybe the Sportage competes with CX-5? The Santa Fe seems like a good size 2 row option.

Coincidentally, I just saw this article discussing today's 5-seaters

https://www.cars.com/articles/whats-the-best-mid-size-suv-of-2019-407980/

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[Alan]

Yeah, apparently Kia already has it - called the Mojave - see pics in this forum - but it's not planned for export to US at the moment. Maybe some version of it will make it here in a short while. Or maybe they will update the Sportage... I like its interior, but not in love with exterior. But then maybe the Sportage competes with CX-5? The Santa Fe seems like a good size 2 row option.

Coincidentally, I just saw this article discussing today's 5-seaters

https://www.cars.com/articles/whats-the-best-mid-size-suv-of-2019-407980/

Bit too Dodge Journey looking for my tastes, I’d have no problem if they lobbed off a few inches on the Telluride for a decent size 5 seater like Honda did to the pilot’s baby brother the Passport. At least the Telluride is a handsome looking rig, the Passport is so plain Jane boxy looking. It has great interior space and a strong engine but visually it’s boring as all hell. The new Sante Fe is a decent all rounder, but doesn’t excite me enough to buy it!

 

[Dandy]

One 3 row that is often overlooked is the Ford Flex. I am on my 2nd one and absolutely love it. I admit that the exterior is a love/hate thing, but I have always been a fan of station wagons anyway and the boxy cargo area makes for good use of space (much like the Telluride over the Palisade). The Flex rides great, has solid AWD and is a blast to drive with the 3.5L Ecoboost motor. The interior has not really been updated for most of it's life, a slight change in the dash and controls in 2013, but aside from that it is mainly the same car as release in 2009. I like it because it is still a wagon, sits slightly higher than a car, but not as top heavy feeling as many of the CUVs on the market. With the Flex being discontinued, I am watching the 3 row market to see what my next car will be, but much like many of you, I mainly need cargo space. In 3 years when my daughter is done with High School and not playing club volleyball, we will for sure have no need for the 3rd row of seating. Oh, the Flex has almost limo like 2nd row leg room. For anyone that can accept previous generation tech, a used Flex is a hell of a good deal.

 

[mrmac]

One 3 row that is often overlooked is the Ford Flex. I am on my 2nd one and absolutely love it. I admit that the exterior is a love/hate thing, but I have always been a fan of station wagons anyway and the boxy cargo area makes for good use of space (much like the Telluride over the Palisade). The Flex rides great, has solid AWD and is a blast to drive with the 3.5L Ecoboost motor. The interior has not really been updated for most of it's life, a slight change in the dash and controls in 2013, but aside from that it is mainly the same car as release in 2009. I like it because it is still a wagon, sits slightly higher than a car, but not as top heavy feeling as many of the CUVs on the market. With the Flex being discontinued, I am watching the 3 row market to see what my next car will be, but much like many of you, I mainly need cargo space. In 3 years when my daughter is done with High School and not playing club volleyball, we will for sure have no need for the 3rd row of seating. Oh, the Flex has almost limo like 2nd row leg room. For anyone that can accept previous generation tech, a used Flex is a hell of a good deal.

We did enjoy the Flex we owned, but the backseat was tortuously uncomfortable.

 

[jw_tx21]

One 3 row that is often overlooked is the Ford Flex. I am on my 2nd one and absolutely love it. I admit that the exterior is a love/hate thing, but I have always been a fan of station wagons anyway and the boxy cargo area makes for good use of space (much like the Telluride over the Palisade). The Flex rides great, has solid AWD and is a blast to drive with the 3.5L Ecoboost motor. The interior has not really been updated for most of it's life, a slight change in the dash and controls in 2013, but aside from that it is mainly the same car as release in 2009. I like it because it is still a wagon, sits slightly higher than a car, but not as top heavy feeling as many of the CUVs on the market. With the Flex being discontinued, I am watching the 3 row market to see what my next car will be, but much like many of you, I mainly need cargo space. In 3 years when my daughter is done with High School and not playing club volleyball, we will for sure have no need for the 3rd row of seating. Oh, the Flex has almost limo like 2nd row leg room. For anyone that can accept previous generation tech, a used Flex is a hell of a good deal.

Yes, the Ford Flex is often overlooked I think because its sales are dwarfed by the Explorer. YTD Ford is averaging about 2,100 of those cars per month - which has been propelled this year by major incentives to clear inventory. It does look like a nice vehicle, but its value proposition as a new vehicle diminishes against the new models from other manufacturers - particularly among its high end trims. As you said, though, a used model could be a good value for the right case. I guess the vehicle really never caught on, because you're right, size-wise it is rather large inside and it has some advantages over a higher-sitting CUV. Personally, however, I'd rather sit up higher to better absorb the road bumps.

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[Dandy]

I'd rather sit up higher to better absorb the road bumps.

I find this a really interesting train of thought. In my "stable" of vehicles, the nicest, smoothest riding vehicle I have is a 1996 Roadmaster Wagon. Glides like butter across the road, like riding on clouds. The worst driving vehicle I own is the one that sits the highest, my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Ride height usually has nothing to do with ride quality. My wife's Subaru Outback I can feel much more of the road then I can in my Flex. Her OB has 8.7 Inches of ground clearance and my Flex has +/- 6 inches, guessing the Roadmaster is even less.

 

[jw_tx21]

I find this a really interesting train of thought. In my "stable" of vehicles, the nicest, smoothest riding vehicle I have is a 1996 Roadmaster Wagon. Glides like butter across the road, like riding on clouds. The worst driving vehicle I own is the one that sits the highest, my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Ride height usually has nothing to do with ride quality. My wife's Subaru Outback I can feel much more of the road then I can in my Flex. Her OB has 8.7 Inches of ground clearance and my Flex has +/- 6 inches, guessing the Roadmaster is even less.

Good point. I guess I am saying that we have a lot of potholes and poor roads I drive on here in Houston, and my former low to the ground BMW was awful at taking those bumps. But, sounds like the Flex has a bit more clearance than I thought.

 

[YEH]

Heck, I just might buy a second Telluride in a couple of years when I tire of the Mazda 3. Or maybe Kia will bring the Mojave to U.S. shores! The Kia Sportage is impressive too - I might choose over a CX-5 - and the new Soul is just fun to drive (a bit small, but I fit well despite being a big guy). In 2019, I really like the infotainment implementation of Hyundai and Kia - simple and effective. Big screens, clear and lots of detail - full touchscreen. No more knobs, buttons, mouse-like controllers (Lexus!) or touchpads (Acura). No confusing dual screens either (thank you Honda). In my view, Audi's is also simple and effective... as is BMW - but they have secondary controllers on console - not a dealbreaker though because their systems work.

By then, the Genesis GV80 and its smaller sibling, the GV70 will be available here.

There will also be a new Sorento by that time, and possibly the new Sportage (already have seen spyshots of the new Hyundai Tucson, but not yet for the Sportage).

Kia may end up doing a lux crossover based on either the GV80 or GV70, but that'll be more years down the road if it comes to pass.

As for the Q7 - has been well received by the automotive press and Audi's reliability has improved over the past 3-4 yrs.

Personally think the sheetmetal is a bit of a bore (not Audi's best work), but aside from a tighter 2nd/3rd row and higher running costs, a used Q7 w/ a good portion of its warranty left wouldn't be a bad buy.

 

[ATL3630]

BTW, I already said it will handle as well as your Mazda (allow for it being much bigger than the CX-5) but I also frequently find myself putting my Mazda in sport mode to get that extra boost feel due to the changes to the ECU. I rarely feel like I need to put the Telluride in Sport mode to get the response I'm looking for.. it stays in Comfort mode most of the time. When I do put it in Sport mode... it really flies.

I thought my 2016.5 Mazda CX-5 handled better than the Telluride. A lot better. But it’s a LOT smaller and lighter vehicle. To be expected. The Telluride handles well for the size, but it’s no miracle.