The 2017 Audi Q7 earns a spot among Wards 10 Best User Experiences with editors noting that the Q7 makes for a first-rate, intuitive user experience in the luxury SUV segment.
As manufacturers increasingly strive to create vehicle systems designed to minimize distraction and frustration, the Q7 received high marks for its virtual cockpit, excellent sound system and the intelligence of the adaptive cruise control.
“We are honored to be recognized by WardsAuto on their inaugural list of vehicles with exceptional user experiences,” said Scott Keogh, President Audi of America. “The Q7 embodies Audi’s position as an industry leader in the development of connected car applications and driver assistance systems that are redefining how customers interact with our vehicles.”
WardsAuto editors evaluated vehicles based on the overall effectiveness of the user experience, how easily the car connects with a compatible smartphone, user-friendliness of the controls, the availability of the advanced driver assistance technology, and how appealing the materials are as a component of the user experience.
The innovative Audi virtual cockpit transforms the way the driver interacts with the Q7 through an entirely digital dashboard that renders 3D graphics with brilliant clarity. A quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor that can deliver vibrant color at 60 frames per second helps to enhance the infotainment viewing and navigating experience via the large Google Map images supported with 4G LTE (where available). Newly available Audi smartphone interface offers Apple CarPlay™ and Google™ Android Auto integration for compatible smartphones.
In addition to infotainment and connectivity features, the advanced Q7 driver assistance systems are designed to help drivers navigate the road and traffic with confidence. Standard Audi pre sense® basic and city can prepare the vehicle for impact in the case of an impending collision. Available Audi pre sense rear helps monitor the traffic following the vehicle and takes similar actions to Audi pre sense basic while Audi side assist provides blind spot monitoring via LED indicators on the exterior mirror housing
“One of our judging criteria recognizes a user experience that delivers ‘surprise and delight’ to the driver, and the Audi Q7 does that many times over,” said WardsAuto Senior Editor, Tom Murphy. “From the high-resolution, brightly colored graphics in the Audi virtual cockpit to the simple phone pairing and the available driver assistance systems, the Q7 makes for a first-rate, intuitive user experience.”
The Q7 competed among a field of 29 nominees for the accolade, which complements the annual Wards 10 Best Interiors award. Audi will formally receive the award during a ceremony held at the WardsAuto User Experience Conference, taking place October 4, 2016 in Novi, Michigan.