- Audi’s newest and largest vehicle can seat six or seven passengers.
- The new Q9 has a 429-horsepower twin-turbo V6, while the SQ9 has a 591-hp twin-turbo V8.
- The Q9 is nearly 10 inches longer than the Q7 3-row SUV.
- The Q9 starts at $89,095, including destination fee. The SQ9 starts at $119,395.
Audi has right-sized its 3-row SUV lineup. The new 2027 Audi Q9 stretches nearly a foot longer than the redesigned Audi Q7, which had been the brand’s only 3-row SUV, until the world premiere on Tuesday.
The Q9 has a larger body with a longer wheelbase than the Q7, with standard seating for seven passengers. The second-row bench can be swapped out for two swaddled captain’s chairs, which reduces total passenger count to six. All three rows have power switches, and the third row can be raised or lowered by the push of a button.
That’s just the beginning of Audi’s new flagship SUV. It comes with materials such as wood trim and Nappa leather, and an overdue cabin design that “eschews high-gloss plastics” to ensconce it firmly in the German luxury realm. Features range from automatic opening doors and seat massagers to a standard adaptive air suspension and an SQ9 performance model powered by a 591-horsepower twin-turbo V8.
How Big Is the Audi Q9 Compared to Other 3-Row SUVs?
Audi’s largest vehicle stretches out at least 4 inches longer than German full-size rivals such as the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, which was just updated. Americans make them bigger and rely on truck-based platforms, with the Cadillac Escalade measuring nearly 3 inches longer in its stubbiest configuration.
| Model | Length (inches) | Wheelbase (inches) | Legroom (2nd/3rd row) | Cargo (behind 2nd/3rd) |
| Audi Q9 | 209 | 123.5 | 41.6/29.1 inches | 43.8/19.3 cubic feet |
| Audi Q7 | 199.1 | 117.9 | 39.3/29.1 inches | 37.7/15.1 cubic feet |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS | 205 | 123.4 | 41.9/34.6 inches | 42.7/17.4 cubic feet |
| BMW X7 | 203.6 | 122.2 | 37.6/33.3 inches | 48.6/12.8 cubic feet |
| Cadillac Escalade | 211.9 | 121 | 41.7/34.9 inches | 72.9/25.5 cubic feet |
The numbers don’t tell the full story, of course, and it would seem that the third-row legroom in the Q9 and Q7 are the same. But there’s more room to move the second-row seats, which means there is more available legroom in the wayback. It’s fine for children, and there’s more room for gear than competitors.
What Engines Are in the Audi Q9?
The new Q9 starts off with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 429 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Audi Q9 weighs 5,302 pounds, which isn’t much heavier than the 5,137-pound Q7, and goes from zero-to-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. A base engine without that much power will likely arrive later.
The new SQ9 uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 rated at 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. This full-size luxury SUV shoots to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds.
Large 15.7-inch ventilated steel brake discs with 6-piston calipers arrest the Q9, while the SQ9 uses 16.5-inch front brakes. Wheel sizes range from 21 to 23 inches.
All models use an 8-speed automatic transmission and come standard with the brand’s quattro all-wheel drive.
An adaptive air spring suspension comes standard and adjusts the ground clearance by up to 3.5 inches. Rear-axle steering is also standard, which should shorten the turning radius when trying to park the large SUV, or make it quicker in turns at higher speeds. SQ9 buyers can opt for a sport suspension that promises to offset the weight better in corners and offer a firmer ride.
Other Highlights in the Audi Q9
We covered interior highlights of the new Q9 last month, but some features are worth revisiting. All five doors, including the tailgate, automatically open via the fob, an app, the touchscreen, the brake pedal, and even the seat belt buckle. Hands are optional. The doors open wide to nearly 90 degrees for easier ingress and egress.
There are lots of welcome lighting and ambient tones inside, and Audi integrates its Android-based infotainment system into a curved OLED display. It consists of an 11.9-inch digital cockpit, a 14.5-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch passenger screen designed to not distract the driver as standard equipment.
Dual wireless chargers use magnets to keep phones stable in the console, and every row has access to USB-C ports. The cupholders are large and plentiful.
Other tech features include Adaptive Cruise Assist Plus limited hands-free driving at up to 85 mph on highways and other pre-determined roads. Its standard on all but the base Q9. A surround-view camera system and automatic parking helper is also standard.
2027 Audi Q9 Pricing and Availability
Built in Slovakia and going on sale in the fourth quarter of 2026, the Audi Q9 starts at $89,095, including destination fee. The SQ9 starts at $119,395.
