Audi Q9 SUV: Everything Revealed About the New Luxury Flagship With Premium Features and Bold Design
Audi is now in the large luxury SUV segment with the Q9, a new flagship that will sit above the Q7 and Q8. Revealed on July 29, 2026, the three-row model combines a commanding road presence with a cabin created for families, business travelers, and anyone who values comfort on long journeys. It also gives Audi a direct competitor to the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
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The Audi Q9 SUV is the largest production vehicle the brand has created. It measures 5.31 meters long and has a 3.14-meter wheelbase, giving it the proportions expected from a true full-size model. Seven seats are standard, while an optional six-seat layout replaces the middle bench with two individually adjustable seats for a more private, business-class experience. Audi builds the Q9 on its Premium Platform Combustion architecture and equips it with quattro all-wheel drive.
Bold Exterior Design With Advanced Lighting
The Q9 uses an upright front end, a large Singleframe grille, and slim digital Matrix LED headlights to create a confident appearance. Buyers can choose the more formal Advanced design or the sportier S line, while wheel sizes extend to 23 inches.
At the rear, curved digital OLED light panels follow the body shape and are joined by an illuminated strip and Audi rings. The lighting system can also project turn signals onto the road and warn nearby cyclists or drivers when a door is about to open.
Premium Interior Features and Flexible Seating
Comfort is central to the Audi Q9. All three rows offer electric adjustment, and the second-row outer seats can slide and tilt forward without requiring an installed child seat to be removed. Front sports seats are available with heating, ventilation, and massage functions.
Audi also introduces fully automatic doors with obstacle detection and soft-close operation. These features can make access easier in crowded parking areas and help protect nearby people or objects.
The standard panoramic sunroof is the largest fitted to an Audi, covering more than 1.5 square meters. Optional switchable glass allows separate sections to become opaque, while integrated lighting can match the cabin’s ambient colors. This creates an open atmosphere without sacrificing shade or privacy.
Digital Cockpit and Driver Assistance
The dashboard features a curved OLED display combining a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen. A separate 12.3-inch passenger screen is standard and uses a privacy mode to prevent distracting content from being visible to the driver. Android Automotive software, built-in applications, and an improved voice assistant support everyday connectivity.
Adaptive driving assistant plus offers hands-free driving on approved roads at speeds up to 85 mph in selected markets. It can manage steering, braking, and acceleration, but remains a Level 2 system. The person driving must therefore stay alert and ready to take control. Other features include emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera, and automated parking assistance.
Engines, Performance and Launch Details
Powertrains vary by region. In the United States, the Q9 uses a 429-horsepower twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, while the performance-focused SQ9 receives a 591-horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. European buyers initially get a 220 kW V6 diesel model.
Audi says European deliveries will begin in November 2026, with prices starting at €108,400. The US versions are expected to arrive during the fourth quarter of 2026.
Sources
- Audi: The official reveal confirms the Q9’s dimensions, seven-seat configuration, automatic doors, OLED lighting, technology, pricing, and November 2026 European deliveries.
- Car and Driver: The Q9 is longer than the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS and offers 19 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind its third row.
- Autoweek: The US-market Q9 receives a 429-horsepower V6, while the SQ9 uses a 591-horsepower V8 and can reach 60 mph in a claimed 3.8 seconds.
- MotorTrend: The interior offers six-seat and seven-seat arrangements, electric folding seats, simplified controls, and easier third-row access.
- Road & Track: Audi does not currently plan to introduce an RS Q9, although the company has not completely ruled out one for the future.
