Audi Q7 SUV (2006-2015) - MPG, running costs & CO2

Even the lightest Audi Q7 tips the scales at a not-insignificant 2,300kg, so it weighs as much as two Ford Fiestas and is hardly what you'd call cheap to run.

The Q7 suffers more than its rivals come resale time, retaining just under 40% of its value after three years or 36,000 miles, compared to around 50% for the Land Rover Discovery, BMW X5 and Mercedes M-Class.

Audi Q7 MPG and CO2

There are two diesel engines available: the popular 3.0-litre TDI (which comes in different power outputs) and the 4.2-litre TDI.

The 204bhp version of the 3.0-litre TDI returns 39mpg, emits 189g/km of CO2 and costs £265 a year in road tax. The more powerful 245bhp version is predictably less efficient, with figures of 34mpg and 195g/km, but road tax is no more expensive.

For a more sporting drive, there's the 4.2-litre TDI, but this is thirstier still, returning just 30.7mpg and emitting 242g/km of CO2. This places it in the second-highest road tax band, so it'll cost you £490 a year to keep on the road.

Still, the Land Rover Discovery 3.0-litre diesel is no lightweight either and returns just 37.7mpg. The BMW X5 is far more efficient and can return up to 50.4mpg, albeit without four-wheel drive. If you need go-anywhere grip, the four-wheel-drive X5 can return 48.7mpg while emitting 154g/km of CO2 and costing £180 a year to tax.

Audi Q7 insurance group

The insurance group your Q7 will fall into depends on the engine’s power, but none will be cheap to insure. The 3.0-litre engines are in groups 35 (204bhp) and 40 (245bhp), while the most powerful 4.2-litre Q7 is in group 45.

Audi Q7 warranty

The Q7 comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, which is bog-standard. Porsche, Land Rover and BMW each offer a slightly better warranty more suited to high-mileage drivers, all offering three years or unlimited miles on their SUVs.

Audi Q7 servicing costs

Audi offers fixed-price servicing for the Audi Q7, with an interim service costing £189 and a major service starting at £375. But it'll most likely cost more to maintain than an X5, as BMW offers five years or 50,000 miles of servicing for a one-off payment of £475 at the time of purchase.