Source: I was a Service Director in the auto industry for a number of years.
Is this design stupid? Yes. Do you have to remove the seat? No. Do the guys in the video know what they're doing? Maybe, but likely not in this case.
Here are some good things about the Audi Q7 (as we've owned two of them - a 2015 and a 2023):
It's got a third row. For those of you who want a relatively compact "full-size" SUV with a third row, this is a great way to go. When the kids were little, we always had extra space for a couple more kids and it works well.
Traction control. I've driven a LOT of vehicles in situations where traction was paramount. The Q7 absolutely tops the list for traction control. It beats Porsche, Mercedes, and even my Ford F-150 with off-road tires. I would take an Audi Q7 over any of these vehicles for driving in difficult conditions. And I'm talking about driving in a blizzard on solid ice (which I've done several times in both Audis). I even took the 2015 Audi off-roading, deep in to the Nevada wilderness (like 25 miles from the nearest road). These things are solid for traction.
Handling at speed. The Porsche Cayenne is said to be the pinnacle of SUVs for handling. And that's not an incorrect assessment. I've seen and been in Cayennes when they did things they supposedly should just not be able to do. The Audi Q7 is right there with the Cayenne. Cruising at over 100mph on the open road is a breeze. You don't even notice the speed. The Q7 reacts quickly and properly in tough situations.
Comfort. The damn Q7 has some of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in. Long trip? Oh hell yes take the Q7. Again, I've driven a lot of luxury vehicles (several on long drives including Porsche and Mercedes) and the Q7 is far better for comfort.
Are these things expensive? Yes. Are the repairs (when needed) stupid? Yes, they can be.
But if you ever get the chance, just try one. Put aside any prejudices you have for a moment and just try it. I've never worked for Audi (or even in the auto business anymore). I'm just giving you my direct experience.
Just last week the family and I drove through the biggest blizzard to hit the Reno/Tahoe area in a decade. Why? Well, my son wanted a fur hat and only Cabela's in Reno had any in stock. That's it. No big deal. Hardly any other vehicles were out on the road. We saw accidents and spinouts and lost traction left and right. The Audi motored through all of it like it was any other day. (It helps that I'm an experienced and careful driver, but the Audi really did perform over-the-top well.)
The fucking thing even hauls a trailer without issue. Believe it or not, the Audi Q7 weighs more than my F-150, so towing is easy.
This video makes the Q7 (and Audi by extension) look stupid. Every vehicle is stupid to a degree. Every vehicle. But the Q7 is an excellent vehicle.
Diesel q7 or fuck off. No you don’t have to take the entire seat out, you can take out the front bolts tilt the seat back all the way forward then loosen the rear bolts and then pivot the entire seat back into the back and get it. That’s not easy, and you have gone to so much work, just pull out the othe e2 bolts. The plastic clips covering that shit, yeah they will likely be ruined by the time you have to Chang the battery as they are brittle in year 3-4.
As for AWD, I’d put the explore against it. But a tuned diesel q7 is pretty sweet.
Till some Mexican cunt pulls out in front of you doing 66 in a brand new Kia.
I can’t believe I didn’t kill her.
Perhaps it isn't true with this but I hear you want to dump these cars around 100k miles as the maintenance starts getting rather expensive.
We kept our old Q7 until about 120k I think. At that point it needed a cooling system repair what involved removing the turbo. Nope. Priced it to sell and got a newer one.
I find it amusing that German perfection in engineering is part of why they lost the war and they continue to do the same today. They choose complex systems that require specialized maintenance verses acceptable performance but with systems that can be maintained with less involvement. Of course most modern American cars are now in the same boat. When I had to help a buddy take half the front clip off to change a headlight on his Cadillac I was like who the fuck designs this shit?