The 2013 Audi Q7 might be considered a bit of a “turbo teaser,” as it holds the fort in the luxury crossover market for Audi in anticipation of a makeover for the 2014 model year.

Reviewers recommend that buyers opt for the Audi Q7’s 3.0-liter V6 direct injection turbodiesel (TDI) that gets tweaked for 2013 in one of the minor changes forecasting bigger moves to come. The TDI delivers 225 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, which easily makes it the most fun of the Q7s to drive, the experts say. The benefits multiply when the TDI’s fuel mileage numbers of 19 mpg city/28 highway enter the equation.

Fuel efficiency will be targeted for the upcoming makeover, too, with Audi looking to cut back the hefty weight of the Q7 by about 650 pounds through the use of more aluminum in the car’s body and lighter engines. A hybrid model is reportedly in the works as well.

But that is mostly tomorrow’s news. For now, the 2013 Audi Q7 continues to compete well against its rivals in the luxury crossover segment thanks in large part to its topnotch ride and interior, classy style and engine choices.

The 2013 Audi Q7 offers a couple of gasoline-fueled V6 options along with the TDI. The base engine for the lineup starter, the 2013 Audi Q7 3.0T Premium, is a 3.6-liter V6 that puts out 280 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and has mileage numbers of 16/22. The 2013 Audi Q7 S-Line Prestige trim gets a similar version of the same V6, but this one boosts the power numbers to 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque with no change in mileage figures.

All trims team an 8-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD), both of which collect kudos from reviewers and drivers alike. A 4-wheel independent suspension that includes an air ride system that lets the driver choose between Sport, Comfort and Automatic settings also draws praise and produces one of the most comfortable rides around, experts say.

The cabin of the 2013 Audi Q7 earns particular praise for its grand style and the quality of its materials. All trims get leather seats, a 12-way powered front seat, heated front seats and systems that include iPod integration, satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Premium trim comes with dual-zone climate control and a sound setup that has MP3 capability, a single-CD player and 11 speakers. The Premium bumps things up with a standard sunroof and gets 14 speakers with its Bose sound system. The Premium Plus checks in with four-zone climate control and, like the Premium, gets Audi’s MMI navigation system that includes a DVD player. The S-Line Prestige trim has front-seat ventilation and powered tilt and telescoping features on the steering wheel, and it comes with a blind-spot alert and front obstacle detection system.

Most reviewers note that the 2013 Audi Q7, like most crossovers, is not designed to spend a lot of time off-road, though they do give the 7-passenger rig and its Quattro good grades for its ability to get around in rough conditions. Another plus is that the Q7 can pull a hefty load of up to 6,600 pounds when set up with a towing package.

Experts feel that passengers in the front and second-row seats have plenty of room, while those assigned to the back, again as in many similar vehicles, should be smaller.

The Audi Q7 has generally performed well in government and insurance industry crash tests, and the expectations are the 2013 version will do so as well. The 2013 Audi Q7 offers traction and stability control and a full array of airbags. A lane-departure warning system, rear-view camera and blind-spot monitoring system are all available.