2007 Audi Q7

Crossover utility vehicles (CUVs?) with near-sport-sedan handling have been available since the beginning of the millennium. But the BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg, and Infiniti FX45 have yet to offer that all-important third-row mother-in-law/kid seat.

Audi breaks through that wall with the Q7, a crossover that complements its S8 uebersedan. The Q7 has coupelike styling, a claimed world-first gas-direct-injection V-8--the 350-horse, 325-pound-foot, 4.2-liter from the RS4--and room for up to seven people, most of them adults. It's a longish 200.7 inches overall and rides on a 118.2-inch wheelbase. The V-8 has been tuned for more torque in the Q7 than in the RS4, but still zings to 7200 rpm. A six-speed automatic with Tiptronic paddle controls will be the only transmission for all engine options.

This thing will get around corners as well as most normal-height Audis, although a short drive in icy conditions blunted efforts to determine exactly how well. The optional air suspension feels good, especially on the "dynamic" setting, where those off-road tires give up long before body roll gets serious. Extrapolating from the cautious cornering, the Q7 feels ready to keep up with an X5 on a road course, while refraining from beating you up on rough roads like the Bimmer does.

Having it all includes a 48/52 front/rear torque split full-time next-generation quattro system, serious tires, and the ability to climb rocks with the most ardent of off-roaders, according to Audi. All this, and it has the handling and ride you'd want in a sport sedan. It's good on that snow-and-ice kind of off-roading that most luxury buyers will experience. If you live where snow and ice are as rare as $50,000 to $65,000 luxury seven-seat sport-sedan crossovers, Audi offers a summer tire for the optional 20-inch wheel.