The new flagship of the Audi portfolio has arrived. On July 28, 2026, Audi unveiled the all-new Q9 and the high-performance SQ9, both three-row SUVs. As the largest SUV Audi has ever produced, the Q9 is set to compete in the lucrative full-size luxury SUV segment, taking on established rivals as such. BMW X7, Cadillac Escaladeand Mercedes-Benz GLS.
This launch represents a long overdue milestone for Audi.
The Audi Q9 will be positioned above the last model the updated Q7 in the seriesIt brings an unprecedented level of comfort and technology to Audi’s SUV range. Audi is also available for those who want higher performance SQ9With 591 horsepower, the flagship can accelerate from 0 to 100 mph in just 3.8 seconds.
The Q9 finally gives Audi a true full-size SUV
A room for seven people and their luggage
The Q9 is 209 inches long and rides on a 123.5-inch wheelbase. At first glance, it might look like a stretched Q7, but it’s much more than that. The Q9 is specifically designed to compete in the premium full-size SUV segment, where interior space is as important as horsepower. And this new Audi has both.
The third row of many three-row SUVs is more suitable for small children than for adults. However, the Q9 provides decent accommodation for adults thanks to its long wheelbase and clever seat design. The second-row seats can slide and tilt forward electronically without removing an empty child seat, making access to the third row easier. Buyers can choose between a standard seven-passenger configuration or an optional six-seat configuration with power-adjustable second-row captain’s chairs.
Behind the third row, the Q9 offers 19.3 cubic feet of storage space. Fold the second and third rows flat, and capacity expands to 87.7 cubic feet (by comparison, the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 offers 84.7 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, while the BMW X7 offers 90.4 cubic feet).
The most luxurious Audi SUV ever made
The high-tech cabin feels like a first-class cabin
Audi has designed the Q9 to have a “hall-like atmosphere” inside. This is achieved with ample space and front seats that offer optional ventilation and massage functions. There are even heated armrests. New open-pore wood trim, Nappa leather, reduced piano-black plastic, cup holders for large insulated cups and a smart aluminum cargo rail system all demonstrate that Audi has taken the time to find out what customers really want in an SUV.
The top is Audi’s largest panoramic sunroof, with more than 16 square feet of glass. Buyers can also opt for switchable transparency controls and customized ambient lighting for the sunroof.
The salon is centered on the “Digital Stage”, which combines Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, the 14.5-inch central touchscreen and the available 12.3-inch passenger display into a single continuous digital environment. Amazon Alexa integration, wireless smartphone charging pads and multiple USB-C ports are also standard.
The available Bang & Olufsen 4D audio system delivers music you can feel. Instead of relying solely on speakers, Audi integrates seat-mounted actuators that allow passengers to physically feel the bass frequencies, just like at a live concert. Coupled with 22 speakers and Fraunhofer Symphoria sound processing, Audi says the aim is to create an immersive listening experience unlike anything currently offered in the segment.
If the Q9 is fast, the SQ9 is seriously fast
The new rear-oriented quattro system increases performance
While the Q9 is spacious and luxurious inside, Audi hasn’t forgotten about performance. The standard Q9 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 that produces 429 horsepower and 442 lb-ft. torque. Mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive, the Q9 sprints to 100 mph in just 4.9 seconds, which is pretty quick for a three-row SUV.
But for some buyers, that won’t be enough, so Audi offers the high-performance SQ9. Under its hood sits a revised 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft. of torque, with a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 lbs.
Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system has always been one of the brand’s defining technologies, but the SQ9 introduces a completely new approach. Instead of retaining a traditional front-bias setup, the SQ9 uses a rear-biased quattro architecture that can direct almost all available torque to the rear axle when driving conditions demand it. The electronically controlled rear differential, brake torque vectoring and staggered-width performance tires work together to improve cornering precision and acceleration while maintaining the confidence Audi owners expect in bad weather.
The Q9 is the missing piece in Audi’s SUV lineup
The Q9 represents more than just adding another SUV to Audi’s lineup. It fills one of the company’s biggest product gaps by giving loyal Audi customers a full-size luxury SUV that no longer requires them to cross-shop a BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac or Lexus.
One area where Audi has consistently led the industry is lighting technology, and the Q9 may represents his greatest breakthrough. For the first time in the United States, Audi will offer Digital Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high beam. Instead of simply switching between low and high beams, thousands of micro-LED elements continuously reshape the light pattern in real time, maximizing road illumination by creating precise shadows around oncoming vehicles to reduce glare.
The 2027 Q9 starts at $87,700, while the high-performance SQ9 starts at $118,000 before destination charges. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.
