Audi has unveiled its new flagship crossover, the Q9. Stretching more than 5.3 meters, the model is the brand's largest production car yet, with three rows of seats, advanced lighting, and a diesel V6 instead of the powerful gasoline engine many expected.
Audi has officially launched the Q9, a new full size SUV that sits above the Q7 and takes aim at the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. The company is betting not on a traditional luxury sedan but on a large crossover built for long family trips and maximum comfort for every passenger.
A new flagship instead of the A8 sedan
Not long ago, the A8 sedan topped Audi's range. Growing demand for big premium SUVs reshaped the market: buyers increasingly want tall bodies, roomy cabins, and plenty of practical solutions.
The new Audi Q9 measures 5.31 meters long with a 3.14 meter wheelbase. In size it clearly outgrows the Q7 and ranks among the largest vehicles in the full size SUV class.
Two cabin layouts are offered: a seven seat version with three rows, and a six seat setup with two individual second row chairs.
Lighting that can «talk» to the road
One of the Q9's main tech features is its new lighting system. The crossover gets third generation digital OLED taillights with a three dimensional design and expanded ways to interact with what is around it.
Headlights and taillights can run various safety light scenarios. For example, the car can project warning images onto the road in certain situations, including lane changes, door opening, or an emergency stop.
That is how Audi turns familiar lighting from a design accent into another driver assistance tool.
A cabin with alpaca wool and three screens
Inside, the Q9 feels more like a mobile living room than a typical car interior. The focus is on digital tech and finish materials.
The driver faces a 12.3 inch instrument display, a 14.5 inch center multimedia screen sits in the middle, and the front passenger gets a separate 12.3 inch display with a privacy shield.
The multimedia system runs on Android Automotive OS and includes a ChatGPT based voice assistant.
Available finishes include natural materials: matte ash, carbon fiber with basalt accents, Nappa leather, Dinamica microfiber, and an unusual option, alpaca wool.
Another cabin highlight is a panoramic roof of about 1.5 square meters. It is made of several segments that can change how transparent they are.
Everyday practicality in a big SUV
Despite its flagship status, Audi paid attention to day to day use.
The second row has three full size seats with Isofix mounts. The outer seats can slide and recline automatically for easier access to the third row without removing a child seat.
Passengers get Qi2.2 wireless charging, USB-C ports rated up to 100 W in the second row and up to 45 W in the third. The cargo area adds a load securing system with an aluminum rail and fasteners.
Sound comes from a Bang & Olufsen 4D system with 22 speakers and 1,360 W of power. Actuators in the front seats also pass along low frequency vibration.
Why Audi skipped the V8
The most unexpected detail of the new Q9 is the powertrain. Despite the car's size and flagship role, it launches not with a gasoline V8 but with a diesel engine.
The Audi Q9 TDI uses a 3.0 liter diesel V6 with 299 hp and 630 Nm of torque. A lower output version is also available.
The engine pairs with an MHEV plus system on a 48 volt architecture. A starter generator can briefly add power on acceleration, while an electric compressor helps boost pressure build faster.
That approach keeps strong pulling power while cutting fuel use compared with more powerful gasoline engines.
Higher performance gasoline or hybrid versions may arrive later, but at launch Audi is betting on efficiency.
Air suspension and driver assistance
To keep the large body manageable in town, the Q9 gets adaptive air suspension and all wheel steering.
The rear wheels can turn by up to 5 degrees, shrinking the turning circle and helping on parking lots.
The car also carries modern driver assistance systems. In countries where the law allows it, hands free driving features are available on suitable stretches of road.
Audi Q9 2026 pricing
In Europe, the Audi Q9 starts at about €108,400 (roughly $118,000). Official pricing for other markets has not been announced yet.
Audi's new symbol in the SUV era
The Audi Q9 answers rising demand for big premium crossovers. The company walked away from the familiar script in which flagship status belonged only to a luxury sedan, and bet instead on a three row vehicle with vast space and a full stack of technology.
The big question now is whether a diesel Q9 can win over buyers used to seeing powerful gasoline engines under the hood of SUVs this large. The answer will become clear once the model reaches its main markets.
