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Audi Q9 & SQ9: The Brand's New Flagship Three-Row SUVs

Audi is entering entirely new territory with the upcoming Q9 and SQ9, its largest three-row SUVs yet, designed to give the brand a genuine competitor to the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, and Mercedes-Benz GLS. Here's what's confirmed so far about the 2027 model year debut.Filling a Gap at the Top of the LineupUntil now, Audi's largest SUV offering has been the Q8, which - despite its name - doesn't offer the true full-size, three-row capability that rivals like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS provide. The new Q9 and performance-oriented SQ9 are designed specifically to close that gap, giving Audi a genuine flagship SUV for the first time.Two Distinct PowertrainsThe Q9 will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 producing 429 horsepower, while the performance-focused SQ9 steps up to a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 delivering 591 horsepower - giving Audi genuine separation between its mainstream and performance flagship SUV offerings.Pricing and TimelineAudi is targeting an estimated price range of $39,000 to $75,000 for the Q9 lineup, with a late 2026 on-sale date positioning it as a 2027 model year vehicle.Part of a Broader Wave of New Large SUVsThe Q9's arrival comes alongside a broader industry wave of new large luxury SUV entries, including the redesigned BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE - suggesting automakers see continued strong demand at the top of the luxury SUV segment even as smaller crossovers dominate overall volume.What This Means for Audi's LineupWith the Q9 slotting above the Q8, and the SQ9 providing a genuine performance flagship, Audi's SUV lineup will finally offer true parity with BMW and Mercedes-Benz at every size tier - a gap that's arguably held the brand back in the full-size luxury SUV conversation for years.Looking AheadAs Audi finalizes development ahead of the Q9 and SQ9's late-2026 launch, the new flagship SUVs represent one of the most significant lineup expansions in the brand's recent history, and a clear signal of where Audi sees continued growth opportunity in the North American market.