On July 29, Audi officially unveiled the Audi Q9, the largest SUV in the brand's history, with the high-performance SQ9 making its debut at the same time. The new model will compete directly with the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7 and is planned to be introduced to the domestic market in 2027.

Size is the most obvious advantage of the Q9. The new model measures 5310×2210×1810 mm in length, width, and height, with a wheelbase of 3140 mm. Compared with the current Q7, the length has increased by 250 mm, the width by 200 mm, and the wheelbase by 145 mm, with both length and width exceeding those of the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7. Its 2.21-meter width surpasses the vast majority of mass-produced SUVs on the market, meaning parking will place certain demands on parking space width.

In terms of exterior design, the Q9 adopts a vertical-slat straight waterfall grille and a split headlight design. It is the first to feature third-generation curved digital OLED taillights, supporting customizable light signatures and ground-projected turn indicators. A 7-seat layout is standard, with optional 6-seat independent seats, and electric doors and soft-close doors are standard across the range.

In terms of powertrain, the Q9 in the North American market is equipped with a 2.9T V6 engine producing a maximum power of 435 hp and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds; the SQ9 is equipped with a 4.0T V8 engine producing a maximum power of 591 hp and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. Adaptive air suspension and rear-wheel steering are standard across the range. The starting price is 108,400 euros in the German market and 89,095 dollars in the U.S. market.

Dada's comment:

The Audi Q9 does indeed surpass the GLS and X7 in size, and its 2.21-meter width and curved OLED taillights can be counted as recognizable selling points. However, the interior still uses Audi's familiar three-screen layout, with not much surprise. The market for fuel-powered flagship SUVs is shrinking, and the Q9 is more of a step toward rounding out the product lineup.