2027 Audi Q9MotorTrend - MotorTrendSpacious, flexible cabinStrong tech focusPromising powertrain potentialTight third rowSafety details limitedThe Q9 is an all-new nameplate and Audi’s first full-size SUV, positioned above the Q7 as the brand’s three-row flagship. It emphasizes space and flexibility, with six- or seven-seat layouts and a cabin focused on passenger comfort.Luxury full-size SUV competitors include the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, Lincoln Navigator, and BMW X7.What’s NewExteriorRoof rack included for the standard roof railsFirst Audi with electrically operated doorsInteriorCenter console with dual phone chargersSeven-seat layout with three second-row child-seat positionsPartially power-adjustable seats standardVentilated and massaging front Sport seatsPowered second-row seats with available ventilationIndividually power-folding third-row seatbacksTamarind Brown and Stone Beige colorsExpanded trim options, including ash, lime-structure wood, and carbon-fiber weaveMatte and textured cabin materials to reduce fingerprintsStandard panoramic sunroof with adjustable glass opacityTop trim adds headliner illumination with 30 colorsNew trunk rail system with sliding hooks and adjustable anchorsBang & Olufsen sound system with headrest speakersDynamic interaction light spans the cabin widthAmbient lighting can sync with music and album-cover colorsAdvertisementAdvertisementThis page will be updated with more insights and photos as information becomes available.Top-Ranked Competitors:Mercedes-Benz GLS-ClassLexus LXLincoln NavigatorBMW X7PerformanceAudi has not yet detailed the U.S.-market Q9 powertrain lineup, and we would not expect the diesel engines offered in Europe to make the trip across the Atlantic. A more likely scenario is that American buyers get a gasoline turbocharged V-6 as the volume engine, potentially a version of Audi’s 2.9-liter TFSI making somewhere around 430 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque.That would give the Q9 enough muscle to feel appropriately premium without stepping too far into SQ territory. A higher-performance SQ9 also seems likely, and that model would probably use Audi’s 4.0-liter TFSI V-8. If tuned similarly to the engines in the RS7 and RS Q8, output could land around 590 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.Safety FeaturesAudi has not yet released a full list of safety features for the 2027 Q9, so details remain limited. The interior preview does confirm that the SUV’s available electrically operated doors use surround sensors with obstacle detection, which can stop the doors from opening into nearby objects and may also help detect approaching cyclists or other road users.Interior RoomThe Q9 seats up to seven and, as Audi’s largest SUV, should offer useful cargo capacity. A six-passenger configuration swaps the second-row bench for captain’s chairs, and our early preview suggests that row is comfortable and spacious.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe third row appears less accommodating, with a low floor-to-seat position and limited legroom, though doors that open up to 90 degrees should make getting in and out easier.TechnologyThe 2027 Audi Q9 leans heavily into cabin tech, starting with its electrically operated doors—the first Audi application of the feature. They can open or close via the key, myAudi app, MMI screen, brake pedal, or seatbelt buckle.The available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with 4D sound also stands out, pairing headrest speakers for calls, navigation prompts, and surround sound with front-seat actuators that let occupants physically feel the music.USB-C ports with up to 100 watts of output add useful charging capability, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are expected to be included as well.ValueStandard FeaturesEvery 2027 Q9 comes with a spacious three-row cabin, dual wireless phone chargers, and a panoramic roof with switchable-opacity glass divided into nine controllable segments. The roof also blocks more than 99.5 percent of UV radiation.