2007 Audi Q7

On a trip to Lake Arrowhead for a final reconnaissance run for our 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year program, executive editor Stone signed out the Q7 and came away "impressed at how it handles the mountain passes and how it manages to fly by vehicles half its size." Further, the many high-speed sweepers leading up the mountain only highlighted the Q's qualities. The Audi's six-speed Tiptronic transmission, which can be set to Drive, Sport Drive, or Manual, is "a delight," per Stone, who also notes that at 6000-feet elevation the "4.2-liter V-8 really hangs in there when the air gets thin." The only con during his 200-mile drive was the giant dual sunroof, which "on a hot day lets in too much sun and heat, asking the air-conditioning to work double overtime."