Audi Goes Full-Size: Meet the 2027 Q9 and SQ9
German luxury hit a milestone on July 29, 2026, as Audi revealed the largest, most spacious vehicle in its history: the 2027 Q9 and its high-performance twin, the S variant. Built to take on full-size staples like the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Cadillac Escalade, the three-row flagship stretches 5.31 meters (209 inches) on a generous 3.14-meter wheelbase.
The newcomer reaches North American dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2026. US pricing opens at $89,095 for the standard V6 and $119,395 for the V8 performance model (each including the mandatory $1,395 destination charge). European buyers get a dedicated 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel starting at €108,400. Official specs and regional inventory live on the Audi USA model portal and press hub.
Pricing and specs at a glance
| Trim | Base MSRP | Powertrain |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Q9 | $89,095 | 2.9L twin-turbo V6 (429 hp) |
| 2027 SQ9 | $119,395 | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (591 hp) |
| European Q9 TDI | €108,400 | 3.0L V6 diesel MHEV (299 PS) |
What powers the lineup
North American buyers get a 429-horsepower six in the base car and a 591-horsepower eight in the performance model, each with an eight-speed automatic and permanent all-wheel drive.
The standard model’s boosted six-cylinder makes 429 horsepower and 442 lb-ft, hustling the heavy three-row hauler to 60 mph in a best-in-class 4.9 seconds. Step up to the performance version and the 4.0-liter eight-cylinder delivers a striking 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft, trimming that sprint to just 3.8 seconds. Europe instead gets a 3.0-liter TDI diesel with mild-hybrid tech and an electric compressor, good for 299 PS (220 kW) and 630 Nm of low-end pull. Every variant pairs its engine with an eight-speed automatic, permanent all-wheel drive, adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering — plus a hefty 7,700-pound towing rating.
How full-size packaging has changed
The brand has moved from stretching a mid-size platform to building a dedicated, extra-long architecture that finally prioritizes adult space in every row.
For nearly two decades, the mid-size Q7 covered three-row family duty. The styling and driving manners were excellent, but the rearmost seats were cramped — really only suited to young kids — and cargo behind the third row was minimal, forcing a trade-off between passengers and luggage on longer trips.
The new flagship rewrites the math. Extending the body to 209 inches — roughly 4.7 inches longer than a BMW X7 — created a genuine adult sanctuary in the back. Six-footers sit comfortably in the third row, with dedicated climate zones, USB-C fast charging and power-reclining seatbacks.
Next-gen lighting and power doors
The flagship debuts several firsts, from three-dimensional OLED taillights to fully motorized doors.
- 3D curved digital OLED tail strip: a continuous rear light bar that flashes dynamic warnings to approaching traffic.
- Matrix micro-LED headlights: project guidance graphics onto the lane at night, lighting blind spots and flashing alerts to cyclists or pedestrians.
- Electric power doors: surround sensors prevent strikes on curbs or nearby cars; open and close via a button, an interior touch control or the smartphone app.
- Hands-free highway assist: supported up to 85 mph on approved North American routes.
Inside the business-class cabin
The interior is pitched as a mobile living room, with six- or seven-seat layouts and a long list of comfort tech.
Seating
- 7-seat family layout
- 6-seat captain’s-chair setup
- Heated, ventilated, massaging
Sound & cargo
- 22-speaker, 1,360W 4D audio
- 19.3 cu ft behind row three
- Up to 87.7 cu ft max
Buyers choose between a seven-passenger setup or a business-class six-seater with dual power second-row captain’s chairs offering heating, ventilation and massage. Overhead sits a vast 1.5-square-meter electrochromic panoramic roof — the largest glass roof the brand has ever fitted — switching from clear to opaque at the touch of a button via liquid-crystal tech. The 22-speaker, 1,360-watt system even builds tactile actuators into the seatbacks, pulsing subtle bass through the cushions. Fold the rear rows flat and luggage room grows from 19.3 to 87.7 cubic feet.
Getting ready for Q4 deliveries
If you’re planning to reserve or build one ahead of late-2026 deliveries, keep these steps in mind:
- Explore the configurator: play with paint, wheels from 21 to 23 inches and interior wood veneers in the online showroom.
- Check hands-free coverage: confirm your regular routes fall inside the approved highway mapping for the driving assistant.
- Book a reservation slot: contact local dealers to secure an early allocation before initial fourth-quarter arrivals.
- Sort home charging: for mild-hybrid or upcoming plug-in variants, a Level 2 home charger maximizes daily efficiency.