Twenty years after Audi introduced its first SUV, the German luxury brand is launching its largest utility vehicle ever, the Q9. The official launch took place on Tuesday in New York, indicating that the model is also key to helping reverse its U.S. fortunes.
The Q9 is significantly larger than the redesigned Q7 and also tops key competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7 and Lexus TX in wheelbase, length and width.
First target is the U.S. market
Audi dealers in the U.S. have long complained that the three-row Q7, the brand’s largest model until now, simply wasn’t big enough for customers with growing families or those who needed or wanted more space.
Audi CEO Gernot Döllner called the Q9 the brand’s new flagship. It has been developed specifically for the U.S. market, where homes and households tend to be bigger.
After setting a U.S. sales record in 2023, Audi’s U.S. volumes have dropped, and its big bet on electric vehicles has left the brand off many shoppers’ lists. Audi’s rivals such as BMW and Lexus have posted record U.S. sales and benefited from wider powertrain offerings.
North America, chiefly the U.S., will account for 65% of all Q9 output, according to Filip Brabec, senior vice president of product management at Audi of America. Audi did not disclose U.S. sales projections, but Brabec said the planned production allocation underscores the strategic importance of the Q9. “When we were designing it, we really focused on North American use cases,” Brabec said during a presentation.
As with the Q5 and Q7, the Q9 is built on the Premium Platform Combustion architecture. But its imposing proportions, wide stance and muscular arches signal the Q9’s large size.
In the States, the Q9 is powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine with 429 hp, while the SQ9 packs a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with 591 hp. Despite a curb weight of more than 2,500 kg, the SQ9 can hit 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. Unlike some Q9 competitors, there will not be a hybrid powertrain at launch in the U.S.
Adaptive air suspension, all-wheel drive and an eight-speed transmission are standard on both models. Both Q9 models can tow up to 7,700 pounds (3.5 tons), a key capability American customers demand, Audi said.
In Europe
With its largest SUV to date, Audi is assigning the number 9 for the first time and strategically expanding the top end of its model portfolio. “The new Audi Q9 combines spaciousness, precise dynamics, and technological innovations in a single vehicle,” boasts Audi.
“Highlights include third-generation curved digital OLED rear lights, individual electric seats in the second row, automatic doors, adaptive driving assistant plus with hands-free driving, and the largest panoramic sunroof ever fitted to an Audi.”
“Sophisticated suspension and quattro all-wheel drive, paired with highly efficient powertrains, guarantee remarkable performance and composure on almost every surface. The SUV will be available to order from the end of July 2026 with prices starting at €108,400 for the Q9 TDI with a V6 diesel engine of 220 kW/630 Nm in Germany.
In Belgium, there will also be an 180 kW version of the same engine, with 500 Nm of torque and a starting price of €110,900. Both versions are mild hybrids, with an 18 kW drive generator and 370 Nm of torque, fed by an LFP battery.
The V6 TDI also features an electric-powered compressor (EPC – 7.5 kW peak power, 3.5 kW continuous power), which complements the MHEV plus system, and two-stage turbocharging. When needed, the electric-powered compressor builds up absolute boost pressure of up to 3.6 bar in just 1.2 seconds, ensuring a dynamic response.
By providing more torque even at low engine speeds, the electric-powered compressor also reduces fuel consumption. “The combination of the V6 diesel engine, the powertrain generator, and the electric-powered compressor delivers impressive thrust, which is particularly evident when pulling away from a standstill,” Audi comments.
Very large and luxurious
When it comes to dimensions, the Audi Q91 is unapologetically high status. Measuring 5.31 meters long, 2.21 meters wide, and 1.81 meters tall, with a wheelbase of 3.14 meters, it is the largest Audi of all time.
The two equipment lines, advanced as standard and S line as an option, are clearly distinct. The advanced line presents a prestigious exterior with vertical bars in the Singleframe, while the S line exterior delivers a sportier edge. Alloy wheels of up to 23 inches amplify the presence of the new Q9, while design elements such as the roof rails, bold rear overhang, and upright cabin emphasize the utility and generous proportions of the SUV.
The interior of the new Q9, featuring premium materials and standout features, underscores Audi’s commitment to quality. Two interior variants with distinct equipment packages offer customers options for personalization.
The new Q9 seats seven passengers as standard. Large families will appreciate that all three seats in the second row feature mounting points for child seats. The Q9 is optionally available with six seats, delivering extra space and a business-class atmosphere. All six seats are partially power-adjustable with an optional heating function. The two electrically adjustable individual seats in the second row are a particular highlight.
In the third row, each seatback folds down individually at the push of a button. In the first row, the sports seat plus also adds ventilation and massage functions. For the first time, automatic doors offer increased comfort when entering and exiting the vehicle.
Extensive surround sensors protect against collisions: an obstacle detection system stops the door if it cannot be opened fully. An electric soft-close mechanism ensures the doors shut gently. The automatic doors can be conveniently opened and closed from multiple control points and remotely via the myAudi app
Another highlight of the Q9 interior is the largest-ever panoramic sunroof in an Audi, fitted as standard. It features a glass surface of more than 1.5 square meters that can be opened wide or tilted. Optional features include switchable transparency and, for the first time, illumination of the glass roof whose color adapts to the personalized ambient lighting.
Finally, the Q9 comes standard with adaptive air suspension. It combines continuously variable damping with adjustable ride height, handling everyday driving situations and a variety of terrain with equal confidence.
The adaptive system automatically adjusts to speed, load, and driving conditions. Drivers can also manually adjust the ride height as needed via drive select. The total adjustment range between the lowest and highest lift mode is 90 millimeters. From balanced mode, the car can be lowered by 62 millimeters to comfort exit height.
