Three-row lux SUVs, part 3

Jim Travers: The Audi Q7 would not be a good choice for anyone with switchophobic tendencies. On the driver's door alone, there are 16 different switches, buttons, and one knob. And that's without counting the handle. Add up the rest of them on the console, steering wheel, ceiling, and dashboard and you'll come up with somewhere around 80 more. I kept losing count. But most curious of all is a button to open the glove box, located just inches from the glove box door. Why this is preferable to a simple door-mounted latch like every other vehicle uses is a mystery, but one passenger suggested it might be easier for shorter drivers to reach. True, but it won't make it any easier for them to reach the glove box contents. I can say from experience it does afford drivers the opportunity to push it by mistake and listen to stuff fall out while they drive.

The Q7 is also equipped with Audi's annoying version of the multi-function control, Multi-Media Interface (MMI--see our blog "Audi Q7: Here's looking at you"). Not to be outdone by BMW's maddening iDrive, Audi's engineers have at least demonstrated a sense of humor with MMI. Before you can so much as adjust the radio, you have to agree to a displayed warning saying distractions can be, well, distracting. This from designers of a dashboard packed with more distractions than anything this side of an Airbus. Of course, the Q7 practically rivals the size of an Airbus, but that's another blog.

In fairness to Audi, we added up the buttons/controls in our Volvo XC90, and came up with almost as many. But the Volvo does without a central multi-function control, where Audi buyers get buttons and MMI to boot, which can even confuse you in three different languages.

While arguably more enjoyable and sporting to drive than some competing models, the Q7 would be even more desirable without so many redundant and complex controls. Give us the electric glove box if you must, but please ditch the MMI.

Eric Evarts: Let's be clear: I would never buy any of these vehicles. Their cumbersome size is a constant nuisance and in return they provide less space inside than a minivan. But, if I had to pick one, it would be the Volvo XC90 --based on its more reasonable size and much more reasonable price, relatively speaking. The size is not academic. Sure the third-row seats are only big enough for mighty-mites, but those in the Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes-Benz R-Class, and Audi Q7 are snug, as well. The real kicker, however, is the price. The XC90 base price was a few grand less than the other luxury SUVs. Nicely equipped as tested, it cost $10,000 less than the nearest competitor and $20,000 less than the top-scoring Mercedes-Benz GL.