Audi presents the largest luxury SUV in its history
The new flagship Audi SUV, the 2027 Q9, has finally seen the light of day. It is the largest, most luxurious, and most ambitious SUV the company has ever built. It is designed for buyers for whom the regular Q7 seems too modest in size.
We have already virtually explored the interior of the new Audi flagship, but now the model appears in all its glory. Meet the 2027 Q9 — the largest, most expensive, and most ambitious SUV Audi has ever built, targeting buyers for whom the Q7 “doesn’t take up enough territory”.
And “large” here really means enormous. The Q9 has a length of 5310 mm, a width of 2210 mm, and a wheelbase of 3140 mm. Compared to its younger sibling, it is 250 mm longer, 200 mm wider, and has an additional 145 mm between the axles. These figures indicate that the Q9 is aimed directly at the BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS — competitors that Audi has not previously directly challenged.
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You would hardly mistake it for the new 2027 Q7, although they are closely related. The vertical nose dominates the huge, recognizable grille with vertical bars and a black surround that flares outward, reminiscent of the Joker’s sinister smile.
The rear also has its own identity: the license plate has been moved to the bumper, making the tailgate cleaner. Even more innovative are the curved digital OLED rear lights. Their ultra-thin glass panels follow the body shape in three dimensions, improving visibility from the sides and giving Audi designers an extra reason to be creative in the dark. Insurance companies are probably trembling at the repair costs.
The interior experience is key
But the true character of the Q9 is revealed only on the other side of the four massive doors. Audi CEO Gernot Döllner states that “in the future, ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ will increasingly be defined by the interior experience, because cars are much more than just a means of transportation”.
The doors are power-operated and can open a full 90 degrees, and sensors stop them before they hit another car, a wall, or an unwary pedestrian. They can even be opened remotely via the myAudi app if your driver is busy.
Seven seats are standard, and an optional six-seat layout replaces the middle row bench with a pair of individual power-adjustable seats. Even the third row is designed for adult passengers.
Overhead is the largest panoramic roof from Audi, with an area of over 1.5 square meters. An optional version can electronically change transparency in nine sections, and 84 LEDs illuminate it in one of 30 colors. When parking, the glass automatically becomes opaque to prevent curious passersby from peering inside.
The car will stop you if you pass out
The technological barrage continues with an available Bang & Olufsen sound system producing 1360 watts with 22 speakers and actuators in the seats that physically pulse to the beat of the music. Speakers in the headrests can take calls and navigation prompts without disturbing others. As in the Q7, if the driver loses consciousness, the emergency system can slow the Q9 and, under the right conditions, pull over to the shoulder, stop, and call emergency services.
In Europe, it launches with a 3.0-liter inline-six diesel producing 295 hp (299 hp), supplemented by a mild hybrid system and electric turbochargers. Drive is to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic. This is the same engine that Audi installs in European Q7s, so we expect the base American Q9 to get the motor from the American Q7. That is a 2.9-liter gasoline V6 with 429 hp (435 hp), although a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 will also be available. In the SQ7, this engine produces 591 hp (599 hp).
Adaptive air suspension is standard, and rear steering can turn the rear wheels up to five degrees, which should make this leviathan a bit less intimidating in tight European parking lots. It is because of the enormous size of the Q9 that Audi does not expect to sell many of these cars on its home continent. No, it is built primarily for America. Given that the X7 has been on the market for several years and the GLS is only getting a facelift rather than a full update to retain buyers for the 2027 model year, the Q9 could help Audi establish itself as a serious player in the American luxury car market.
So, Audi is making a bold bet on true American size and luxury, while not forgetting innovation. The arrival of the Q9 creates a new triangular competition in the segment of the largest premium SUVs, where each manufacturer tries to offer not just transportation, but a separate experience. It can be expected that it is in the US market that this model will become a true bestseller, especially among those who value space and technology more than maneuverability in the city.