Audi has moved into the upper reaches of the luxury SUV market with the new Q9, a full-size flagship aimed directly at the biggest family haulers from Germany’s premium brands.
It’s a significant arrival for the four-ringed marque, not least because the Q9 is larger on paper than both the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
With a tech-heavy cabin, flexible seating and V6 diesel power, Audi’s largest SUV is clearly intended for buyers who want scale, comfort and a strong executive presence.
At a glance
- Audi has revealed the Q9, a new full-size luxury SUV positioned above its existing SUV line-up.
- The cabin features three displays and can be configured with either seven seats or six seats with individual second-row chairs.
- The Q9 uses a mildly hybridised 3.0-litre V6 diesel with standard all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Audi’s biggest SUV makes a deliberate statement
The Q9 measures 5.3 metres long, 2.2 metres wide and 1.8 metres tall, giving it the sort of footprint expected from a true flagship SUV.
Those proportions put it beyond the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS in outright size, at least by the headline dimensions.
That matters in this corner of the market, where presence, cabin space and second-row comfort often carry as much weight as performance figures.
The design brief appears straightforward: give Audi a larger, more commanding SUV for customers who might otherwise default to Munich or Stuttgart.
A triple-screen cabin built around comfort
Inside, the Q9 leans into Audi’s current digital direction with a three-display arrangement across the front of the cabin.
The driver gets an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, while the central infotainment screen measures 14.5 inches and uses a curved display layout.
A separate 12.3-inch passenger screen adds another layer of in-car tech, giving the front passenger dedicated display space rather than simply sharing the main centre screen.
For families, the standard seven-seat layout will be the practical choice.
For buyers who see the Q9 as a chauffeured or executive SUV, the six-seat configuration with individual second-row chairs is likely to be the more appealing option.
V6 diesel power with standard quattro traction
The Q9 launches with a mildly hybridised 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine offered in two states of tune.
The first produces 241 hp and 369 lb ft of torque, while the more powerful version is rated at 295 hp and 465 lb ft.
Both versions are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, keeping the Q9 aligned with Audi’s long-standing emphasis on secure, all-weather traction.
The diesel focus also gives the model a clear long-distance character, particularly for markets where high-torque combustion power remains attractive in large SUVs.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Audi |
|---|---|
| Model | Q9 |
| Vehicle type | Full-size luxury SUV |
| Length | 5.3 metres |
| Width | 2.2 metres |
| Height | 1.8 metres |
| Engine | Mildly hybridised 3.0-litre V6 diesel |
| Power | 241 hp or 295 hp |
| Torque | 369 lb ft or 465 lb ft |
| Transmission | Eight-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Standard all-wheel drive |
| Seating | Six-seat or seven-seat configurations |
| Cabin displays | 11.9-inch instrument cluster, 14.5-inch infotainment display, 12.3-inch passenger screen |
The Q9 gives Audi a credible new flagship in a segment where size, comfort and technology define the buying decision.
For buyers who want an Audi badge on something bigger and more imposing than the brand’s existing SUVs, this is the model they’ve been waiting for.
