Audi’s large SUV family is about to stretch further, with the Q9 and SQ9 now confirmed for Australia.
The new flagship pair is expected to arrive in 2027, giving Audi a more direct answer to the biggest luxury SUVs already established in the market.
It’s a timely move, too, as Australian appetite for large premium SUVs continues to shape what global brands bring here.
At a glance
- Audi will bring the Q9 and performance-focused SQ9 SUVs to Australia in 2027.
- The Q9 will use a mildly hybridised 3.0-litre V6 diesel, while the SQ9 steps up to a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.
- The new flagship SUVs will sit above the Q7 and target rivals such as the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Zeekr 9X.
A larger Audi flagship for a SUV-led market
The Q9 gives Audi a more substantial presence at the top of its SUV range, where size, road presence and long-distance comfort matter as much as badge appeal.
Australia has proven fertile ground for large luxury SUVs, and that demand appears to have helped secure the model’s local future.
The Q9 is expected to follow the next Q7 into Australian showrooms, positioning it as Audi’s more imposing family and executive SUV option.
Its arrival will also give the brand a clearer rival to the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, two models that have long defined the upper end of the three-row luxury SUV space.
Diesel V6 for Q9 and V8 muscle for SQ9
The regular Q9 will be powered by a mildly hybridised 3.0-litre V6 diesel offered in two outputs.
The lower tune produces 241 hp and 369 lb ft, while the stronger version lifts those figures to 295 hp and 465 lb ft.
Both versions are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, a familiar formula for buyers who cover big distances or tow regularly.
The SQ9 takes a more assertive route with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 591 hp and 590 lb ft of torque.
That output should place it firmly in the performance luxury SUV conversation, while preserving the grand touring character expected from a large Audi SUV.
Rivals waiting at the top end
The Q9’s Australian launch will land in a competitive corner of the market where established German nameplates meet newer premium challengers.
The BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS remain the obvious benchmarks, but the incoming Zeekr 9X adds another point of pressure in a segment that’s becoming broader and more varied.
For Audi, the Q9 is less about filling a small gap and more about giving buyers a true flagship SUV option beyond the Q7.
The SQ9, meanwhile, should appeal to customers who want the scale of a large luxury SUV with a much stronger performance brief.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Audi |
|---|---|
| Models | Q9 and SQ9 |
| Q9 powertrain | Mild-hybrid 3.0-litre V6 diesel |
| Q9 outputs | 241 hp and 369 lb ft, or 295 hp and 465 lb ft |
| SQ9 powertrain | 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 |
| SQ9 output | 591 hp and 590 lb ft |
| Transmission | Eight-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive |
| Australia timing | Expected in 2027 |
| Key rivals | BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Zeekr 9X |
Audi hasn’t detailed local pricing or a precise launch date yet, but the Q9 and SQ9 already look set to become important additions to its Australian range.
For buyers who have outgrown the Q7 or want a more commanding Audi flagship, 2027 should bring a far more compelling option.
