The shocking thing is that it is an Audi it It’s been a long time coming to bring a true full-size SUV to the market. Mercedes-Benz has offered the GLS for 20 years now, while BMW put the X7 on dealer lots in 2019. Audi’s been a little slow, but the Q9 is finally here – and it’s a full-size stunner.
At the beginning of the year, we were able to show you the interior. Now, we can finally reveal the rest of the stuff. We’re getting two flavors of the Q9: the standard Q9 and the sportier SQ9.
Audi’s first full-size SUV
There’s no denying the size of the Q9. With 123.5 inches between the axles, the Q9 has a longer wheelbase than the Chevy Tahoe. The Tahoe lasts longer overall, but the Audi does a better job of holding the nose and tail tighter.
The Q9 is the biggest Audi ever. Open the doors, and you’ll find three rows of seating, with the option of room for six or seven. I recommend choosing a six-seater seat if you’re able to, as the second-row captain’s chairs are actually comfortable thrones. And adults who need to occupy that third row won’t have any issues in the back.
However, step back outside and take a look at the style of this thing. You’ve already seen the updated Q7. The Q9 is basically the same thing, just enhanced. In fact, Audi offers a range of wheel options, starting with 21-inch hoops and moving up to optional 22- and 23-inch wheels.
As big as the Q9 is, the brakes are also up to the task. Take a look behind the wheels above, and you’ll see a set of 15.7-inch rotors up front with six-piston calipers. The rear brakes are 13.8-inch with a single-piston setup.
The Audi Q9 is fitted with a twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6. That mill may look familiar, as it’s essentially the same engine that was used in the previous-generation RS5. Here on the Q9, you get 429 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque, and the torque peaks from 2,000 rpm to 4,500 rpm.
The automaker claims the Q9 will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, which is quite impressive for a full-size non-sporting SUV. Audi pairs the V6 with an 8-speed gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive.
- Twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6
- 429 hp / 442 lb-ft
- 0-60 MPH in 4.9 seconds
- 123.5-inch wheelbase
smart lighting tech
Audi has long been a leader in advanced lighting technology. From the early days of the R8’s daytime running lights to laser technology and now Adaptive Digital Matrix LEDs, Audi’s lighting game has always been strong. Finally, though, we get to experience Audi’s truly adaptive lighting here in the states.
According to Audi, the Digital Matrix LED lighting system is smarter than the previous version of its laser light technology. However, the result appears to be the same: you can run your lights at maximum brightness without blinding pedestrians, other motorists, or even yourself.
Audi has engineered the system to detect anything it shouldn’t shine its glare on. Although I can feel those of you reading this rolling your eyes, I completely understand your nervousness. Modern headlights seem too bright, and every other car on the road looks like it’s out to fry your retinas.
The Audi system actually reduces glare by reducing the light sent towards other motorists. It also detects metal signs on the side of the road, so your light bounces off that source and doesn’t blind you.
Photos: Audi
Smart headlight technology isn’t the only thing at work here. Audi has developed attractive OLED taillights. They contain thousands of micro LEDs similar to headlights, allowing Audi to customize the shape of the lights to better fit the vehicle.
Turn signals are also a neat party trick. When you place your indicator, an arrow appears on the ground on the side of the car in the direction you plan to turn. This occurs on the front and rear of the vehicle and serves as more information to other cars, pedestrians and cyclists that you are about to turn. Those turn signals are an optional extra as part of a package including advanced headlights and taillights.
Pricing for the 2027 Q9 starts at $89,095. There are plenty of great options to help push that price higher, like the available illuminated panoramic roof, lighting technology, and second-row captain’s chairs.
But the standard version of the Q9 also gets a standard panoramic roof, Bang & Olufsen sound system and very little piano black trim. Thankfully, Audi has moved towards nicer materials like wood and metal.
More power: Audi SQ9
However, there’s always room for more, right? Even when you’re talking about a full-size vehicle. Audi isn’t just bringing the Q9 to market. The SQ9 comes with exactly that. It features a number of advanced technologies including lighting technology as standard kit. But the real star of the show is hidden behind the scenes.
The Audi SQ9 is fitted with the engine from the pre-facelifted RS6 Avant. Courtesy of the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, you get up to 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. It has an upgraded version of an 8-speed gearbox that provides power to all four wheels.
For the SQ9, Audi quotes a 0-60 mph acceleration time of just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. That’s pretty fast for a rig this size.
Here, your starting tire setup is sorted, with 285s in the front and 305s in the rear. They sit on 22-inch wheels. You can upgrade to 285 front and 315 rear on 23-inch wheels if you choose the optional summer performance tires.
Photos: Audi
As you might expect, the brakes are big. Fits the Audi SQ9 with 16.5-inch rotors and a six-piston front setup.
The quattro gets rear bias, and Audi also fits the SQ9 with a locking rear differential. An air suspension system is fitted as standard kit, and it is adaptively damped. It feels like the SQ9 is ready to party, which can be a little shocking when you try to steer something this big around your favorite winding road. After all, it still weighs 5,556 pounds.
However, compared to hybrid and electric vehicles, it’s almost lighter… comparatively, of course.
Pricing for the 2027 Audi SQ9 starts at $119,395 when deliveries arrive on dealer lots in the fourth quarter of 2026.
motor1 tech: We’ve covered the Q9’s interior before, and are impressed by Audi’s in-cabin developments. The lighting technology and powertrain options are equally attractive. Audi may have to wait a long time to find its footing in the full-size market, but the Q9 and SQ9 should prove to be attractive options for buyers in this segment.
And yes, of course I asked about the Audi RSQ9. Answer? “No comments…” Interesting.
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