Audi’s new Q9 has arrived with a clear brief as the brand’s flagship SUV, and the SQ9 gives that brief a sharper edge.
It brings a twin-turbo V8, three-row usability and a performance figure that puts it deep into modern super-SUV territory.
At a glance
- Audi has unveiled the SQ9 as the performance version of its new Q9 flagship SUV.
- The SQ9 uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
- US sales are scheduled for Q4 2026, with pricing starting at $118,000.
A V8 flagship for Audi’s three-row SUV range
The SQ9 is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 making 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
An 8-speed automatic transmission sends that output to all four wheels through Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Audi quotes a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, a number the brand says makes the SQ9 the fastest-accelerating three-row SUV in its segment.
That matters because the SQ9 isn’t being pitched as a styling pack with extra power.
It sits at the top of the Q9 family as a full-size performance SUV built for buyers who want serious pace without stepping away from space and daily usability.
Sportier details without losing the Q9 silhouette
The SQ9 gets a more assertive exterior treatment than the standard Q9, led by a unique front grille and an air dam with hexagonal mesh.
It also rides on massive 23-inch wheels, giving the SUV a more planted visual stance.
At the rear, connected LED lighting spans the tail, while the quad exhaust setup gives the SQ9 a clear performance identifier.
Inside, Audi leans into the S treatment with quilted leather seats carrying S badges, a 3-spoke leather steering wheel and red detailing throughout the cabin.
The result sounds deliberately sporty rather than radically different, which fits the SQ9’s role as a high-output extension of the Q9 rather than a separate design exercise.
US launch and buyer appeal
The Audi SQ9 is scheduled to go on sale in the US market in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Pricing starts at $118,000, placing it firmly in flagship luxury SUV territory.
Its most obvious audience will be buyers who want three-row space but aren’t willing to give up the response, traction and visual aggression expected from Audi’s S-badged models.
For Audi, the SQ9 also gives the new Q9 range an immediate performance halo in a segment where size, speed and brand identity are increasingly tied together.
Details & Specifications
| Brand | Audi |
|---|---|
| Model | SQ9 |
| Body style | Three-row flagship SUV |
| Engine | 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 |
| Power | 591 hp |
| Torque | 590 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Quattro all-wheel drive |
| 0-60 mph | 3.8 seconds |
| Wheels | 23-inch |
| US availability | Q4 2026 |
| Starting price | $118,000 |
The SQ9 looks set to give Audi a more forceful presence at the top end of the luxury SUV market, combining the familiar appeal of Quattro performance with the practicality that buyers expect from a three-row flagship.
