With the 2027 Audi SQ9, notable for its scalloped honeycomb front grille and lighted Audi emblemIn its first full-sized SUV, Audi rolled out practical features and clever technology and in the process, will change what we demand in our cars and SUVs. This is really good.If you've shopped luxury 3 row SUVs in recent years, chances are you found them a bit small for larger families and likely, headed toward Lexus or Cadillac. But the need for elegant design, a powerful engine and room for adults and kids in the 3rd row is real and a growing market that European brands are increasingly targeting. It's an important one. The latest car maker competing for your purchase is Audi, which added its first-ever full-size SUV to the lineup: the 2027 Audi Q9 and SQ9. I'll admit, I was a bit skeptical that Audi would simply upsize the Q7 with more legroom (which the company should still do). I expected all the same details, just slightly larger. AdvertisementAdvertisementWow, was I wrong. With the 2027 Audi Q9 and performance focused SQ9, priced from $88K and $118K, the company truly rethought not just what they should offer buyers, but how families use their cars, how they can increase safety and how they can turn fun features into ones that you'll come to rely on. This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was Audi's guest for this first look but all opinions are my own.Audi Built the SUV You Want, Because They Wanted It, TooThe front seat in the 2027 Audi Q9 – Credit: Scotty ReissAfter spending a bit of time in the Audi Q9, it became really clear that the company was excited to create a true flagship with its largest SUV. From the clever signature headlights and taillights that are customizable to the full size panoramic sunroof to expanded ambient lighting, this is the SUV that Audi's designers and engineers wanted to build. Of course, they understand that American buyers love large luxury cars and SUVs, so they had to make it work for those buyers too; they (you, really) will buy 65% of Audi 9s. "Our SUV flagship, the Q9, is the first car carrying the number 9 in the name," said Gernot Doellner when I spoke with him at the Audi Q9 first look event. It "was developed by having a close look at the US customers and their requirements." AdvertisementAdvertisementTo do that, the company turned to their team in Michigan to really understand how American families use their cars on the daily, from school runs to road trips. All of that was incorporated into the design: The center row seats slide, lift and tilt for 3rd row access; the panoramic sunroof is dimmable with 9 different pattern options so you can dim the parts you want but not others; the air suspension lowers the entire SUV making it easier for shorter passengers to get in and out without running boards. And then, there are automatic electronic doors that are standard. Get ready for your kids to have a lot of fun with these—and for you to stop worrying about slamming doors or dinging the doors of other cars around you. This feature is truly a gift.Read: How the 2025 Audi Q7 and Audi Q8 are Alike and Different—and Which One is the Most FunAudi Q9's Charm Starts with Automatic Electronic DoorsWith the 2027 Audi Q9 and its vertical lighted front grille – Credit: Scotty ReissThere are so many cool new features in the Audi Q9 that I don't really know where to start, but the electronic doors are a good place. The fully electronic doors are standard; pull the door handle and the doors open automatically, which sounds like doors work, but in person this is pretty cool—you don't have to pull the door all the way open. Inside, there's a push-button release and the door will open, but it'll stop if there's an obstruction, from a person standing by the door to a car that's too close. Good-bye door dings! AdvertisementAdvertisementYou can close the doors by buckling your seatbelt, pushing the brake pedal, tapping a control on the multimedia touch screen or tapping a button on the ceiling next to the center row outboard seats. It'll even work with a long press of the unlock button on the key fob, which also triggers the exterior lighting welcome sequence. This feature is really well done—and something that until now we've only found in Rolls-Royce and more recently, in the BMW X5. The doors were one of the features that Audi's American team championed. "Just last week, my daughter saw her friends, jumped out and forgot to close the door," to the car, said Barry Hoch, head of product planning at Audi of America. He appreciates being able to close the doors from the touch screen without having to get out of the car; his daughter's school, like many, doesn't allow parents to get out of the car during drop-off, leaving him in an awkward spot. But, for Barry, that's no longer an issue.Read: Meet the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS: The First-Class 3-Row SUV for All PassengersMore of Audi Q9's Most Notable FeaturesCaptains chairs in the 2027 Audi Q9:SQ9 has removable arm rests – Credit: Scotty ReissAudi added a lot of high end standard features to the entry-level Premium Q9, though the Premium Plus and Prestige models add even more. Here's what I found most delightful: Run-flat all season tires —this is a huge yay from me; run-flat tires saved my life onceA standard panoramic sunroof; a liquid crystal dimming system is included on higher trimsCaptains chairs with removable arm rests—so have them, or don't, your choice Illuminated seat belt receptacles Digital "Matrix" headlights are customizable and are designed to dim in the direction of on-coming traffic, so other drivers don't suffer the glareBang & Olufsen premium sound includes headrest speakers and seat actuators that let you feel the music too; The "digital stage" is standard and includes a 12" Digital Cockpit driver display, a 14.5" center touch screen and a 12" optional passenger display Enhanced ambient lighting with a notification bar that spans the dashboard and lights up to indicate turn signals and voice activation Turn signals have "advanced" ground lighting that flash lights on the ground to show what direction you're turning—a great feature for pedestrians at nightPuddle lights illuminate at all doors An upgraded voice control system that uses ChatGPT for advanced functions Power slide-and-lift center row seats that power forward even with a child car seat installedAdaptive cruise control with hands free assisted driving Air suspension can raise from the standard 7" ground clearance to 10" for off roading and as low as 6.5" for loading in cargo or highway drivingRead: 2025 Infiniti QX80 First Drive: Infiniti Makes Driving a Big 3-Row SUV Easy. The Luxuries are a Bonus How the Audi Q9 Accommodates Families The cargo area in the 2027 Audi Q9 with the rear seats folded – Credit: Scotty ReissAll the fun features aside, this is a capable, spacious family SUV, which is what Audi wanted it to be at its heart. So, there was a lot of attention paid to the things that parents need in a full-size SUV. AdvertisementAdvertisementIt starts with the length: The Audi Q9 is 209" long; that's 10 inches longer than the Q7 and longer than the Mercedes-Benz GLS, the BMW X7, the Lexus LX and the Range Rover Long Wheel Base. It's 2" shorter than the Cadillac Escalade, which was sort of a surprise; usually European brands shy away from our big American demands for space. But not here. How the 3rd Row Measures UpPower slide and tilt center row seats in the 2027 Audi Q9 allow easy 3rd row access – Credit: Scotty ReissThat extra space translates into 41" of legroom in the center row and 29" in the 3rd row at a minimum. I sat in the rear seat and found it fine; there's tons of headroom thanks to the high roof line, though I needed the center row seats pushed forward to be able to fully sit behind the second row seat. Like the Escalade, the seats sit pretty low to the floor; I like them to set up a bit higher but that does compromise cargo space, which was another goal for Audi.The 3rd row is nicely outfitted with air vents in the side pillars, USB ports and cup holders; they are heated in upper trims and there are buttons to push the center seats forward if you need to exit the car. In all, it's well done.Read: The Best SUVs for Families With 3 Kids in Car SeatsHow Kids Car Seats Fit— In a Word: GreatThe rear seats in the 2027 Audi SQ9 – Credit: Scotty ReissThis is where Audi really went to town: Not only are there 5 full sets of LATCHes (four in models with captains chairs), but the center row bench is designed to accommodate three car seats. AdvertisementAdvertisementWith 41" of legroom in the center row you'd think there's plenty of room for rear facing car seats and you'd be right. Just to be sure, I measured both behind me with the center row seat all the way back, and with it positioned to allow legroom for the 3rd row. With the seat all the way back I had 33" of space, plenty for either rear or forward facing seats. With the seat positioned a bit forward I had about 29: of space, again, enough space for either forward or rear facing seats. The nice thing is that center row seats can be positioned however you'd like giving a lot of flexibility for kids car seats. This Cargo Space is Designed to Carry All the Things The rear end of the 2027 Audi Q9; the tall square space adds cargo capacity – Credit: Scotty ReissBehind the 3rd row the Audi Q9 has 19 cubic feet of cargo space and this is where it bests many of its competitors. 19 cubic feet is enough for all the middle school backpacks and a stroller or two, Costco haul or a couple of hockey bags. There isn't storage under the cargo floor, though the cargo cover does have a dedicated slot so you have someplace to store it other than the back of the garage. With the 3rd row folded there is 50 cubic feet of cargo space, which is a lot more than the typical 5-passenger SUV. There's nearly 88 cubic feet with the center row seats folded just in case you need all that space, enough for families moving kids into college dorm rooms.Pick Your Power: A Capable Q9 or a Performance SQ9 The front cabin of the 2027 Audi SQ9 – Credit: Scotty ReissThe Audi Q9 is powered by a twin turbo V6 that generates 429 HP and 442 pound-feet of torque. That's ample power for a car this size. more than you'll find in the Chevy Tahoe with the larger V8 engine (420 HP) and nearly that of the Infiniti QX80 (450HP). It also bests the Mercedes-Benz GLS, Range Rover LWV and BMW X7. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe SQ9 levels up both luxury and performance: A twin turbo V8 engine delivers 591 HP and 590 pound-feet of torque and is delivered with rear wheel steering and adaptive suspension for a sporty drive that's also comfortable for rear seat passengers. The SQ9 is available only in the Prestige trim, so it comes with everything we saw on the prototype model pictured here. Probably the best news though, was the prototype was shown with a gorgeous light cream Nappa leather interior; the SQ9 isn't limited to red or black leather, meaning even if you don't really need all the performance details you can go all in on luxury in the sport version. Sport performance is a bonus. Does it feel like something is missing? A hybrid maybe? Audi has confirmed that a plug-in hybrid is in the works; they will offer one in Europe next year and it'll make its way to our shoresThe Q9's Party Tricks Are Charming and FunctionalProjection lighting indicates turn signals in the 2027 Audi Q9 – Credit: Scotty ReissIt's not unusual for car makers to offer fun features, what I think of as party tricks, because they can; they're fun and novel but sometimes not all that useful. AdvertisementAdvertisementHere, the opposite is really true: the adaptive digital headlights will be a game-changer, here and in the future, for the whole industry. The ambient lighting delivers a fun vibe but will help your kids buckle their seatbelts or find that lost lollipop on the floor. And the lighting signature, with customizable head and taillights that light up and dance a bit as you approach? That is a delightful party trick, one that will entertain your kids and that alone can be very useful.Audi is really excited by the center row slide-and-lift seats, but I want to spend more time with them before I weigh in; I really like the function and they seem to avoid the dangers that power seats can pose.The elimination of slammed doors and door dings is incredible. The automatic doors will be a game changer for littles who aren't tall enough or strong enough to operate the doors themselves, and you'll really appreciate it. Yes, I love automatic closing doors. But more, I love that they serve a purpose. But the biggest win here is that Audi purpose-designed this car for families in North America. They get you; they get how you roll, what you need and what will make your life easier and then they added it. They have a lot of competition for your purchase and they realize that. So they're working hard to win you over with all the things they love that they know you'll love too.
+32 others
