Exploring New Zealand in an Audi Q7 #blogpost

For the few days off I had during Easter I decided to go somewhere as far as I could… And so I ended up spending 4 days in Queenstown, New Zealand. I picked up my rental (Audi Q7 3.0 TDI) from the airport and went ahead exploring the South Island.

Let the photo dump commence.

Exploring New Zealand in an Audi Q7 #blogpost

For the few days off I had during Easter I decided to go somewhere as far as I could… And so I ended up spending 4 days in Queenstown, New Zealand. I picked up my rental (Audi Q7 3.0 TDI) from the airport and went ahead exploring the South Island.

Let the photo dump commence.

A relatively basic spec Audi Q7, but it still had all the vital options thrown into it.
A relatively basic spec Audi Q7, but it still had all the vital options…

First things first, New Zealand (and Queenstown in particular) is an absolutely breathtaking place. Nature and environment are amongst the best I’ve ever seen in my life. This is complemented by the fact that there is a whole array of things you could be doing: from bungee jumping and zip-lining, to zorbing, cycling, surfing and, of course, driving.

Exploring New Zealand in an Audi Q7 #blogpost

Speaking of driving. NZ features miles of twisty mountain roads with a smooth road surface and virtually no traffic at all. Initially, this made me wishing I was in something more lightweight and sporty.

Airplane view of some of the roads. Let me reiterate: there are absolute miles of roads like this, with breathtaking scenery around and no other cars.
Airplane view of some of the roads. Let me reiterate: there are absolute…

However, a lot of times in order to access the most beautiful places, I had to go slightly off-road, where Q7 shined like no other car would.

By off-road I don't mean proper off-road, but just about what this car was designed to handle: gravel roads, wet grass and relatively steep inclines.
By off-road I don't mean proper off-road, but just about what this car was…
Exploring New Zealand in an Audi Q7 #blogpost

New Zealanders mostly drive imported JDM cars, some of which are quite interesting (and fast), or Holdens (which I started to fall in love with after this trip).

However, occasionally you find cars you wouldn’t necessarily expect in this part of the world. Here’s a Lada Niva, for example.

Exploring New Zealand in an Audi Q7 #blogpost
This was a one-way mountain road with absolutely no cars on it (the dream?!)
This was a one-way mountain road with absolutely no cars on it (the dream?…
Gravel roads can be covered at a great speed if you're driving a Q7
Gravel roads can be covered at a great speed if you're driving a Q7

To be honest, I’m not a big fan of SUVs, but I was really impressed by the Q7. Unlike the Bentayga, it feels light and agile, despite its size. The engine pulls hard and makes a pleasant noise for a diesel engine while producing stunning fuel economy figures no matter how hard you push it. The cabin is well-designed, comfortable and well-built, while digital instrument cluster is surprisingly easy to use and read of. As I said when I was driving the Bentayga, don’t bother wasting your money on the Bentley and rather get a Q7 (which is better to drive, more practical, more technologically advanced and as comfortable) for a fraction of the price.

Quattro system is not only handy on loose surfaces but also on the mountain roads, especially when driving through hairpins.
Quattro system is not only handy on loose surfaces but also on the…

To crown it all, you should add ‘Visit New Zealand to enjoy the breathtaking country and it’s amazing roads’ to your bucket list. Also, you should add an Audi Q7 to your shopping list if you’re looking for a great family car which is also good to drive.

As always, apologies for the poor quality of photos - I always travel with hand luggage only, so I don’t have a camera, but I hope you enjoyed them nonetheless. Feel free to ask any questions.

Thanks for reading :)
-DL

Exploring New Zealand in an Audi Q7 #blogpost

Comments

Anonymous

MORE ECONOMIC THAN THE CAYMAN?!

04/25/2017 - 18:28 |
2 | 2
DL🏁

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Yes, the diesel in the Q7 is more economical than the petrol in the 718

04/25/2017 - 18:31 |
4 | 0
JenstheGTIfreak (pizza)

Great post! Only one thing about the Q7 and actually Audi in general: in the first pic I thought it was a Q3 which explains Audi’s design language

04/25/2017 - 18:29 |
22 | 0

Thank you!
It does look rather small on that photo actually!

04/25/2017 - 18:30 |
6 | 0
Anonymous

Great post! That’s a long way to go for a long weekend :)

04/25/2017 - 20:03 |
0 | 0
DL🏁

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Thank you :) it is, but its well worth it!

04/25/2017 - 20:09 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Awesome. Love the car and the photos!

04/25/2017 - 21:38 |
0 | 0
DL🏁

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Thank you :)

04/26/2017 - 04:36 |
0 | 0
Jackson 1

Did you go to highlands motorsport park??

04/26/2017 - 03:49 |
0 | 0

Haven’t heard about that! :(

04/26/2017 - 04:36 |
0 | 0
DragzMR2

As someone who dreams of visiting NZ.. .. I’m jelaous man, big time!

04/26/2017 - 04:55 |
2 | 0

I was dreaming of that for a long time too! Its well worth it

04/26/2017 - 06:26 |
0 | 0
BünnyRöcket Entertainment

In reply to by DragzMR2

My current biggest dream is to make it to Top Marques Monaco next year

04/26/2017 - 17:32 |
0 | 0
K Chaitanya Rao

Thats actually great!
How much does it usually cost to rent a Q7 there?
I am planning a trip myself and I am quite sold on what you said about it.

04/26/2017 - 05:10 |
0 | 0

Depends on time of the year, I actually managed to get a good discount
Its much cheaper than in the UK or most other places

04/26/2017 - 06:26 |
0 | 0

Yes, it is the Moke Lake indeed :) what a stunning location

04/26/2017 - 06:25 |
0 | 0
Soarer-Dom

Ever since I saw that Hertz was renting out a GT86, traveling the south had been on my bucket list.

04/26/2017 - 07:01 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Q7? I cannot even afford a New spec Hyundai Elantra

04/26/2017 - 07:39 |
4 | 2
DL🏁

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Can’t afford a Q7 for anything longer than a few days too :(

04/26/2017 - 07:43 |
2 | 0
DL🏁

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Thanks for the upvote bomb!! Wow!

04/26/2017 - 07:46 |
2 | 0

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