Audi has taken the cover off its latest flagship SUV, called the Q9, in the international market. The new 2027 Audi Q9 will hit the global market in November 2026, and it will rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLS and the BMW X7. Know everything about the new Audi Q9 below.

2027 Audi Q9: Everything you need to know

Exterior design

The new Q9 SUV is a big, three-row flagship model that will be positioned above the Q7 SUV in the global market. The Q9 features the latest design theme of the brand, which boasts timeless design cues and modern elements like the smart LED lights.

The front fascia of the Q9 features the split LED Matrix headlights with sleek daytime running lights that also project road threats ahead by projecting the threat signals on the road. The big, wide front grille is all-new, and it gets the vertical slats that merge with the sculpted bumper featuring a radar module for ADAS safety, and horizontal air vents.

The overall profile of the Q9 is conventional, as it boasts a larger footprint than the Q7. It measures 5,309 mm in length, 2,010 mm in width, 1,794 mm in height, and has a long wheelbase of 3,138 mm.

The Q9 features 2D illuminated Audi logos on both ends, diamond-cut alloy wheels ranging from 22 inches to 23 inches, soft-closing doors, OLED Digital taillights with a connected pattern, a full-size panoramic sunroof, functional roof rails, and a sporty rear bumper with silver accents.

Audi will also offer a sporty version of the new SUV, called the SQ9. Visually, it will get a sporty front grille with an L-shaped brushed silver front grille, a new sporty front bumper with honeycomb-shaped air vents, new low-profile lightweight alloys, ‘S’ badging, and a new rear bumper with quad exhaust tips.

Interior design & features

Audi had earlier revealed the interior design of the Q9. The production-spec model features a standard seven-seater layout, while buyers can also opt for a six-seater captain seat layout for an additional price.

The cabin is draped in high-grade materials, with a dual-tone theme of beige and tan colour soft-touch leather upholstery, a new dashboard with a tilted design towards the driver, premium seats with electric adjustment, ventilation, massaging, and even built-in headrest speakers.

The dashboard features a big 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 14.5-inch infotainment screen with new Android Auto OS. While these two screens are tilted towards the driver, a new four-spoke steering wheel offers a commanding driving experience with a 2D Audi logo embedded in the centre.

The front passenger gets an individual 12.3-inch entertainment screen. The second- and third-row seats are electrically powered; the rear passengers get four-zone climate control, powered sunblinds, the biggest illuminated panoramic sunroof Audi has ever made, extended thigh support, adjustable armrests, and more.

All three rows are equipped with USB Type-C fast charging ports, while the centre console gets dual wireless charging pads. Other key features include a 22-speaker Bang & Olufsen 4D sound system, in-car apps that do not require a smartphone to function, and Level 2 ADS safety features, including full autonomous driving up to 130 km/h - depending on the market and authorities.

The SQ9 features a sporty ‘S’ badged three-spoke steering wheel, quilted ivory white and black upholstery with brushed silver highlights, race pedals with aluminium highlights, and all the standard features of the Q9.

What powers the 2027 Audi Q9 SUV?

The standard Q9 SUV will be offered with two engine options (depending on the market) as follows:

• 2.9-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol engine that makes 429 bhp and 599 Nm, paired with an 8-speed Triptronic automatic transmission, Quattro AWD. This engine is most likely to be launched in the UAE and the GCC markets.
   
• 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel engine with two states of tune: 299 bhp/630 Nm & 245 bhp/500 Nm (depending on the market), an 8-speed Triptronic automatic gearbox, Quattro AWD, and a 24 bhp mild-hybrid electric motor to assist in fuel efficiency and low-speed response.
   

The more powerful SQ9 will feature the 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol engine that makes 591 bhp and 800 Nm. It can do 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds, and has a top speed of 250 km/h (limited electronically).

When will the new 2027 Audi Q9 launch?

Audi has announced that the new Q9 SUV will be introduced in the international market by November 2026. It will be manufactured at the company’s Slovakia-based facility, and it is expected to be launched in the UAE by mid-2027.

Currently, the Q7 remains Audi’s most popular full-size SUV in the UAE and the GCC markets. However, the new Audi Q9 promises to take over rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLS, which happens to be the best-selling full-size luxury SUV in the GCC market.

Meanwhile, you can search for the best used Audi cars in Dubai with Cars24 UAE.

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