29/07/2026
Behold! The biggest Audi ever is finally here; it's the new Q9 (and SQ9), and it's more than just a stretched Q7, even though they do share quite a bit of styling. If you're looking for a German luxury SUV that's BIGGER than a GLS or X7, check out the Q9.
How big are we talking? Well, at 209 inches long, it's a whopping 10 inches longer than the Q7 and just 1 inch shy of the Lincoln Navigator. No wonder Audi says the USA will be the Q9's biggest market. Even with 5 degrees of rear-wheel steering, this would be a squeeze to park in London. Unless we're talking London, Ohio, in which case, no problem; it's still much, much smaller than an Escalade ESV.
On the inside, we see the same general theme used by other modern Audis, only supersized for the Q9's more generous proportions. First and second-row room is fairly similar to the Mercedes and BMW competition, but you'll not only find more headroom in the third row than the other Germans, but you'll find an inch and a half more than in the Cadillac. Width? Not so much vs the Caddy or Lincoln as the third row here is strictly for two, mainly because the Q9 isn't as wide as the Americans.
Like a bench seat? You'll be happy to know that 7-passenger seating is standard on *both the Q9 and SQ9, as is a whole host of new tech and an air suspension.
Power will come from a 2.9L turbo V6 borrowed from the RS5, making 429 HP and 442 lb-ft for the Q9, while the SQ9 gets a 591 horsepower 4.0L turbo V8 from the RSQ8 that's good for a stout 590 lb-ft and a "sub 4-second" 0-60 time. Quattro? That's standard, of course, as is 7,700 pounds of towing capacity with either engine. If you're in Europe, you'll also be able to get a hybrid diesel engine, a less powerful V6, and a plug-in hybrid, but the chances of those coming our way are basically zero.
What's coming instead? Audi's digital matrix headlights, which we've all been holding our breath for, will be available. This is the tech we've been promised for so long that, in a nutshell, turns the headlights into a black-and-white projector, only illuminating the parts of the road without traffic so you can have your highbeams on without blinding a soul.
How much will it cost when it goes on sale sometime in Q4? Hold onto your hats. It'll be $89,095 for a Q9 and $119,395 to add the S. Ouch. Or... not? That's less than a GLS, and less than an Escalade as well.... Although the Escalade is still going to be roomier in many ways.
What do you think? And, importantly: how do you think this will stack up against the X7 that's coming any moment now...
