Park outside any American country club or youth soccer tournament and count the badges: Escalade, GLS, X7, Range Rover. What you won’t find is a full-size Audi, because for all of Ingolstadt’s SUV expertise, the brand has never actually built one.
Well, that all changes now. After years of its own dealers practically begging for a proper three-row land yacht, Audi has finally delivered the 2027 Q9.
Built For America, Full Stop
Audi isn’t being subtle about who this thing is for. The Q9 was developed around US requirements from day one, sales kick off in North America before anywhere else (a first for the brand), and roughly two-thirds of production out of Bratislava is earmarked for our shores.
The numbers back up the ambition. At 209 inches long with a 123.5-inch wheelbase, the Q9 stretches nearly 10 inches beyond the Q7, out-measuring both the GLS and X7 while stopping just shy of Escalade territory. Audi claims even the third row can house adults comfortably, which would fix our biggest gripe with its smaller sibling.
Six or Eight, Your Call
Both US engines are lifted straight from the new Q7, and there’s not a hybrid in sight, mild or otherwise. The base Q9 runs a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 good for 429 horsepower and 442 lb-ft, hustling this 5,500-pound family hauler to 60 mph in a respectable 4.9 seconds.
The SQ9 is where things get ridiculous – in all the right ways, of course. Its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 cranks out 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft through a rear-biased Quattro setup. Both versions tow 7,700 pounds, and standard adaptive air suspension keeps the whole thing comfortable on any surface.
A Light Show at Both Ends
After years of regulatory limbo, the Q9 finally brings adaptive digital matrix LED headlights stateside. A welcomed update, as this now lets you run high beams without blinding oncoming traffic. Out back, curved OLED taillights (which is another brand first) display customizable patterns, while both ends project turn signals directly onto the pavement.
Inside, three screens span the dash, the doors open and close electrically with obstacle detection, and an optional 1,360-watt, 22-speaker Bang & Olufsen system physically pulses the front seats to the music. The Q9 also debuts Audi’s first hands-free Level 2 driving system, with 130,000 miles of US roads mapped at launch.
Spec Sheet
Model: Audi Q9 / SQ9
Model Year: 2027
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6 (Q9) / 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (SQ9)
Power: 429 HP & 442 lb-ft (Q9) / 591 HP & 590 lb-ft (SQ9)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Quattro AWD
0-60 MPH: 4.9 seconds (Q9) / 3.8 seconds (SQ9)
Top Speed: 130 MPH (Q9) / 155 MPH (SQ9)
Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs
Wheelbase: 123.5″
Seating: 6 or 7 passengers
Pricing & Availability
The Q9 starts at $89,095, while the single-trim SQ9 commands $119,395, with both hitting US dealerships in the fourth quarter of 2026. In a rare move for a German luxury brand, the configurator is already live on Audi’s website, so you can spec one out right now.
Recap
2027 Audi Q9 & SQ9
Audi finally enters the full-size SUV segment with its new 209-inch flagship, offering a 429HP twin-turbo V6 in the Q9 or a 591HP V8 in the SQ9 when it arrives stateside in Q4 2026.
