Audi reveals first-ever Q9 and SQ9 large SUVs

The Q9 is Audi’s first full-size SUV. It comes standard with seven seats and is available with a more luxurious six-seat configuration.

2027 Audi Q9 front and side — *The Audi Q9 is an all-new full-size SUV. – Audi photo*

Audi has revealed what is now its flagship SUV.

The German automaker unveiled its first-ever Q9 full-size SUV, which also includes the sportier SQ9 variant.

Audi CEO Gernot Döllner said the Q9 elevates the brand’s premium positioning.

Canadian market timing and pricing hasn’t been announced, but we can expect the SUV to go on sale here for the 2027 model year.

2027 Audi SQ9 side — *The 2027 Audi SQ9 (pictured) and Q9 are more than five metres long. – Audi photo*

Proportions

The Q9 is not Audi’s first three-row SUV. The Q7 also offers three rows of seats, but in a midsize package, while the Q9 offers the same number of seats but in a larger setting.

The Q9 comes standard with seven seats and can be configured with a more luxurious six seats.

The SUV measures 5.31 metres (209 inches) long, 2.21 metres (86.8 inches) wide, 1.81 metres (71.4 inches) tall and rides on a 3.14-metre (123.5-inch) wheelbase.

It also has the largest panoramic sunroof of any Audi, measuring 1.5 square metres. The sunroof can be opened wide or tilted. An optional feature of the sunroof is switchable transparency and personalized ambient lighting. Later on, Audi will offer optional roof illumination.

2027 Audi Q9 side and rear — *The Audi Q9 (pictured) has a twin-turbo V6. – Audi photo*

Powertrain

At launch, the Q9 will be available with a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 engine making 429 hp and 442 lb.-ft. of torque. Power is routed to the standard quattro all-wheel-drive system via an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. Audi said that can propel the large SUV from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The towing capacity is 7,700 pounds.

The SQ9 gets a twin-turbo 4-litre V8 that produces 591 hp and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. The SQ9’s quattro system is enhanced with an electronically controlled rear-axle differential lock and has a rear-biased architecture. Audi said the SQ9 will hit zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Its towing capacity is also 7,700 pounds.

2027 Audi Q9 seats — *The Audi Q9 (pictured) can be had in a six-seat configuration, or a standard seven seats. – Audi photo*

Interior comfort

The size of the Q9 should make it a comfortable family hauler. LATCH mounting points for child seats are also included in the third row.

Models equipped with a six-seat configuration get two power-adjustable individual middle-row seats. The rear seats fold down individually at the push of a button.

The optional sports seat plus front-row seats add ventilation and massage features.

The Q9 is also the first Audi to get powered automatic doors, and an electric soft-close mechanism to ensure the doors shut gently. The doors can be opened or closed at the touch of a button, with the open/close buttons available in multiple areas as well via the myAudi app.

2027 Audi SQ9 headlight — *The SQ9 (pictured) and Q9 introduce Audi’s Digital Matrix LED headlights to North America. – Audi photo*

Advanced lighting

Audi has used advanced lighting technology on its vehicles in Europe for some time and the Q9 gives North American that option too.

The model gets a Digital Matrix headlight system that features an adaptive beam. This system is already in use in Europe.

Audi explains that unlike traditional high beams that switch on and off, this system continuously shapes the light pattern in real time to keep strong illumination of the road ahead without producing blinding glare for other road users. The system uses front-facing cameras to detect oncoming vehicles and vehicles travelling ahead of you to create a shadow around each of them.

The Q9 also premieres Audi’s latest lighting feature.

The Q9 has optional third-generation curved digital OLED taillights. These taillights integrate seamlessly into the contours of the vehicle’s body and include eight customizable digital signatures to enhance design and improve visibility.

Audi said the curvature of the taillights helps improve visibility, particularly from the sides of the vehicle.