Audi is preparing to enter the full-size luxury SUV segment with the Q9. The new flagship will be the brand’s largest SUV yet, finally filling a long-standing gap in its lineup.

Audi Q9: A response to market demand

The Q9 will be Audi’s first genuinely large SUV with a true third row. According to dealership council representatives, the model is aimed at family buyers who previously gravitated toward the Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, or Cadillac Escalade because the Q7 didn’t offer enough space.

Dimensions and layout

The new Q9 will be noticeably bigger than the Q7, which currently measures about 5.05 meters in length. Even so, Audi emphasizes it will still be shorter than a Tahoe. A six-seat setup is expected, with captain’s chairs in the second row and a clear passage to the third—an arrangement that should significantly boost passenger comfort.

What it means for Audi and sales

The Q9’s debut is especially important for the U.S. market, where Audi faced a sales decline in 2025. The aging Q7 is losing ground, and the arrival of a new-generation Q7 alongside the larger Q9 should help reignite interest in the brand, albeit not before 2027.

The Audi Q9 may arrive later than many would have liked, but it feels like a logical correction. The brand is finally stepping into a space where rivals have long felt at ease, betting on generous room, family-focused comfort, and the authority of a true flagship.