2027 Audi Q9, SQ9 revealed as new flagship SUV, Australia likely

Audi's rival to the full-size Range Rover, BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS – along with American SUVs including the Cadillac Escalade – has debuted, but it has yet to be locked in for Australia.

The 2027 Audi Q9 is a larger sibling to the new-generation Q7 SUV due in Australia in the first half of next year, similar to the connection to the BMW X5 and X7, and Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS.

In a media statement, an Audi Australia spokesperson told Drive the Q9 is "currently under close evaluation for the Australian market".

“Given Australia’s ongoing appetite for SUVs, we would consider any future model that is the right fit in terms of customer demand, market positioning, and regulatory requirements," the statement said.

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“Further updates will be shared at an appropriate time.”

It is Audi's largest SUV to date – surpassing the Q7 and Q8, along with the China-only AUDI E7X – and a spiritual successor to the soon-to-be-discontinued A8 sedan, as the German brand's new flagship model.

Measuring 5310mm long, 2010mm wide and 1810mm tall, with a 3140mm wheelbase, the Q9 is 253mm longer and 2mm taller than the new-generation Q7, on a 145mm-longer wheelbase.

The Q9 shares its engine line-up with the new Q7, including a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 mild-hybrid diesel for Europe – and confirmed for the Australian Q7 range – or a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 petrol in the US, along with a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol in the SQ9 in the US.

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A 3.2-second 0-60mph (0-97km/h) acceleration time is claimed for the 440kW/800Nm V8 SQ9, which also features an electronically-controlled rear-axle differential lock, staggered-width tyres, standard air suspension, rear-wheel steering and carbon-fibre interior trim.

European diesel pricing starts from 108,400 euros ($AU178,000), while in the US, petrol Q9 grades are available from US$87,700 (AU$126,000).

For context, in Australia, the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS currently start from $174,400 and $181,900 before on-road costs, respectively, suggesting a similar position should the Q9 be offered in local showrooms.

Audi said the Q9 is "designed around North American expectations for large full-size SUVs: genuine three-row capability with adult-usable space in all three rows".

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Similar to the new-generation BMW X5, the Audi Q9 will offer optional automatic doors, including a soft-close function and built-in sensors to avoid hitting obstructions.

The doors can be opened using the key fob, the infotainment system, or the myAudi smartphone application.

Audi's largest-ever panoramic glass roof also features in the new SUV, with a glass area of more than 1.5 square meters – comparable to a 75-inch television lying flat.

Other available features include heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, second-row captain's chairs with heating, heated third-row seats, heated armrests, and five-zone climate control.

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In an Audi first, the Q9 also includes an aluminium rail system in the cargo area to secure items, with sliding hooks and adjustable tie-down points.

A 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity is claimed for the Q9, similar to the Q7.

Mirroring the brand's recent models, the Q9 features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch MMU central infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch front passenger display.

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It is offered with a 24-speaker, 1360-watt Bang & Olufsen four-dimensional sound system with actuators in the front seats, and speakers in the front headrests to separate the audio.

The interior of the Q9 is almost identical to the latest Q7, including reduced gloss-black materials, dual magnetic wireless smartphone chargers, and the return of a physical control panel on the driver's door.

First introduced in the new Q7, the Q9 also debuts Audi's latest exterior lighting technologies, including digital OLED tail-lights, advanced turn signal projection lights that display an image on the ground while indicating, and digital matrix LED headlights with a micro-LED module.

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In the US and Germany, the Q9 will introduce Audi's first 'hands-free highway driving system' for Level 2 partial autonomy, with a driver-monitoring camera to ensure they're paying attention to the road.

Audi says the new system will be progressively rolled out in other markets, and in other Audi models.

An Australian decision on the 2027 Audi Q9 is likely to be announced in the coming months, while customer deliveries in the US and Europe are set to commence by the end of this year.