Audi is introducing its brand new flagship and largest SUV ever. The long-awaited Q9 features many innovative technologies including fancy new headlights and taillights, as well as automatic doors and the largest panoramic sunroof ever offered on an Audi product.
It will also redefinie the company’s motto, as Audi CEO Gernot Döllner explains: “In the future, ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ will increasingly be defined by the in-car experience—because cars are much more than just a means of transportation. For many of our customers, they are becoming mobile living spaces.”
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Photo: Dominic Boucher
Large in Every Way
The Q9 is big and the massive, illuminated front grille makes it look even bigger. The logo is positioned higher on the grille, while the wheel arches are huge. This full-size SUV stands 5.31 metres long (with a wheelbase of 3.14 metres) and 1.81 metres tall. What’s more, styling is unique to each and every model.
In the advanced line, vertical slats adorn the grille. The S line trim, by contrast, takes on a sportier look with a bolder grille featuring an open design without slats, a more pronounced lower front end and an accentuated rear spoiler. At the top of the lineup, the SQ9 stands out with a unique grille, wider fenders and quad tailpipes.
Photo: Dominic Boucher
The Q9 is available with alloy wheels ranging from 20 to 23 inches. All 22- and 23-inch tires come standard with acoustic foam inserts that reduce tire noise, similar to EVs.
Spacious Interior
Standard seven-passenger seating makes this SUV a logical choice for large families. The second row has three anchor points for booster seats. Captain’s chairs are optional. However, due to their electronic control system, these seats cannot fold completely flat.
Photo: Dominic Boucher
We won’t list all the new interior features of the Audi Q9, but let’s highlight a couple of the most notable. The updated Bang & Olufsen 4D premium sound system combines with ambient lightning and seat actuators to create an immersive, personalized sound experience that makes music not only something you hear, but also something you can physically feel. Elsewhere, the panoramic sunroof features switchable transparency and, for the first time, illumination of the glass roof whose colour adapts to the selected ambient lighting.
For a more in-depth look, don’t miss our previous story detailing the technologies and gadgets inside the new Q9.
Photo: Dominic Boucher
Two Engine Choices
The Q9 comes standard with an adaptive air suspension that automatically adjusts to speed, load and driving conditions. The total adjustment range between the lowest and highest lift mode is 90 mm. From balanced mode, the vehicle can be lowered by 62 mm to comfort exit height. Optionally, a sport suspension with controlled damping makes the Q9 even more agile and versatile.
All-wheel steering can steer the rear wheels by up to 5 degrees to improve low-speed manoeuverability and high-speed stability. Braking is handled by 400mm front and 350mm rear discs with six-piston fixed calipers up front.
Photo: Dominic Boucher
Similar to the third-generation Q7, the Audi Q9 uses a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 producing 429 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. The SQ9, meanwhile, benefits from a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 generating 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h takes four seconds, and top speed is set at 210 km/h.
Both engines are paired with an eight-speed transmission and, naturally, Audi’s renowned quattro all-wheel drive system. The latter has been enhanced for this application—it’s lighter, more compact and more responsive. What about electrification? Audi says the Q9 will gain a hybrid variant in the future, but we don’t know when at this point.
Photo: Dominic Boucher
Canadian pricing will be announced closer to the launch date, which will coincide with the 2027 Q7 in November. Production of the Q9 will take place in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Watch: 2027 Audi Q9 Interior and Technology
