2027 Audi Q9: Audi’s First Full-Size SUV Is Built Big for American Families
Audi just gave families a big, brand-new reason to shop the luxury aisle. The 2027 Audi Q9 is the brand’s first full-size, three-row SUV, and it sits at the very top of the lineup as Audi’s new flagship. In other words, it’s built to go head-to-head with the BMW X7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS. For a family-review channel like GT: Garage Talk®, though, the real story isn’t the badge. It’s whether all three rows actually work for real people, real car seats, and real road trips.
Three Rows With Real Room for the Whole Crew
Audi says it designed the Q9 around North American expectations, and the size backs that up. The SUV stretches 209 inches long and rides on a 123.5-inch wheelbase, so it lands slightly longer than both the X7 and the GLS. As a result, the third row is roomy enough for adults, not just kids. Seven seats come standard, and a six-seat setup with second-row captain’s chairs is available for families who want a walk-through aisle. Cargo space is full-size, too. You get 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, up to 50.0 cubic feet behind the second, and 87.7 cubic feet with both rear rows folded flat.
Family Features That Actually Earn Their Keep
Here’s where the Q9 starts to feel purpose-built for parents. Every second- and third-row seat includes LATCH anchor points, so car seats can go almost anywhere. Even better, the second-row seats slide and tilt forward electrically, and they can do it with a forward-facing child seat still installed. That small detail saves a lot of frustration on the school run. Power-operated automatic doors are available as well, and they use obstacle detection to stop before they tap the car parked next to you. Meanwhile, a standard cargo rail system with sliding hooks helps keep the groceries and the sports gear from sliding around.
Power, Towing, and How the 2027 Audi Q9 Drives
Under the hood, the Q9 runs a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that makes 429 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. That’s good for a 4.9-second sprint to 60 mph, which is plenty quick for a full-size SUV. Every Q9 pairs an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic with standard quattro all-wheel drive (AWD), plus adaptive air suspension for a smooth ride. Towing tops out at 7,700 pounds when properly equipped, so a midsize camper or a boat is well within reach. If you want more muscle, the SQ9 swaps in a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 591 horsepower and a 3.8-second 0-60 time.
A Cabin Built for Tech Lovers and Long Drives
Inside, Audi leans hard into screens and comfort. The dash pairs an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster with a 14.5-inch center touchscreen, and a separate 12.3-inch passenger display comes standard. Without the passenger screen, it feels a lot like the Q3 we recently tested. Because it runs Android Automotive, the Q9 can download apps without a phone, and its voice assistant now taps ChatGPT for everyday questions. Families chasing a little peace and quiet can option the largest panoramic sunroof Audi has ever fitted, which spans more than 16 square feet. Audiophiles, on the other hand, can add a 22-speaker Bang & Olufsen system with seat actuators that let you actually feel the bass.
Pricing and US Availability
Now for the numbers that matter at the dealership. The Q9 starts at $87,700, plus a $1,395 destination charge, which lands it right around $89k to start. The high-performance SQ9 opens at $118,000 before destination. Audi builds the Q9 in Bratislava, Slovakia, and it plans to reach US dealers late in 2026, with the SQ9 following in the fourth quarter. You can track trims and configurations on Audi USA. EPA fuel economy figures haven’t been released yet, so we’ll update those once Audi shares them.
2027 Audi Q9 Specs
- Engine: 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 (SQ9: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8)
- Horsepower: 429 (SQ9: 591)
- Torque: 442 lb-ft (SQ9: 590 lb-ft)
- Transmission: eight-speed Tiptronic automatic
- Drivetrain: quattro all-wheel drive (AWD), standard
- 0-60 mph: 4.9 seconds (SQ9: 3.8 seconds)
- Top speed: 130 mph (SQ9: 155 mph)
- Length: 209.0 inches
- Wheelbase: 123.5 inches
- Curb weight: 5,302 pounds (SQ9: 5,556 pounds)
- Maximum towing: 7,700 pounds
- Seating: seven standard, six optional
- Cargo volume: 19.3 cu-ft behind row three; up to 50.0 cu-ft behind row two; 87.7 cu-ft maximum
- Starting price: $87,700 (SQ9: $118,000), plus $1,395 destination
- EPA fuel economy: not yet announced
- Assembly: Bratislava, Slovakia
- On sale: US dealers late 2026
