Audi has finally revealed its long-awaited new flagship model, the Q9. Using the same platform but positioned above the existing Q7, the Q9 large SUV will sit atop the Audi range, filling the role of the A8 luxury sedan that will cease production later this year. Both regular Q9 and performance SQ9 models have been revealed, due on sale in Australia sometime in 2027.

If you’re thinking that the Q9 looks like an extra-large version of the Q7, you’d be exactly right, and the two appear similar on the outside. The Q7’s split headlights, large grille and multi-layered tailights largely follow to the Q9, but the Q9 looks even larger than the Q7. Measuring 5310mm long, 2210mm wide and 1810mm tall, the Q9 is even larger than a long wheelbase Range Rover.

The Q9’s segment rivals includes large luxury SUVs such as the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

Cool features for the Q9’s exterior include automatic opening and closing doors, new curved OLED tailights that display different lighting signatures and warning symbols to other motorists, and new turn signals that display arrows in the direction the car is indicating onto the ground for more visibility to other motorists.

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Inside, the Q9 appears to take its positioning as the flagship Audi model seriously thanks to its high-quality materials around the cabin, including stitched genuine leather on the dashboard, door tops and steering wheel centre, as well as open-pore timber and even optional captain’s chairs for the second row.

Like the Q7, the Q9 is a seven-seater as standard, with the captain’s chairs reducing capacity to six, but the Q9 offers more space in each row thanks to its larger dimensions. Audi claims that even taller adults can be carried in the third row in comfort, and all of the rear seats are electrically operated for ease of use.

With the third row erected, there’s 280 litres of storage space, increasing to between 700 and 850 litres (depending on specification) when the third row is folded and folding all the rear seats opens up a huge 2308 litres of cargo space.

Audi has also fitted its largest ever panoramic roof at 1.5 square metres, which can be dimmed with nine opaque sections and its 84 LEDs also display the interior ambient lighting colouring. As for other in-car tech, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display is accompanied by a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, as well as a 12.3-inch third display for the front passenger to control the entertainment system.

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So far, a range of turbocharged V6 engines with mild-hybrid tech have been revealed for the Q9 using both petrol and diesel fuel, and a turbocharged petrol V8 for the SQ9 as well. A 220kW/630Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel will be the standard engine in many markets globally, with a 180kW version also due later on. In North America, a 315kW 2.9-litre petrol V6 will also be available, while a plug-in hybrid using that engine is also due later.

In the SQ9, which is yet to be confirmed for Australia but we’d say is likely, uses a 4.0-litre V8 making 440kW/800Nm outputs to compete against hi-po versions of the X7 and GLS. In US specification, the SQ9 hits 60mph (97km/h) in just 3.7 seconds, but it can also tow 3500kg.

The Audi Q9 will go on sale in Australia sometime in 2027, with local pricing and specifications to be announced before then.