The Audi SQ9 is the sportier version of the new Q9 full-size luxury SUV. It takes on such rivals as the Mercedes-Benz GLS, the Cadillac Escalade, and the Lincoln Navigator.
2027 Audi SQ9 Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2027 Audi SQ9
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2027 Audi SQ9
Everything is new for the 2027 SQ9 because it’s part of the new Q9 lineup that marks Audi’s first foray into the full-size luxury SUV market. The SQ9 differentiates itself from the Q9 with more power and sportier tuning. Both have three rows of seats for a capacity of up to seven occupants, and they can tow up to 7,700 pounds. Like the Mercedes GLS, the SQ9 has a car-like unibody platform rather than the body-on-frame design of the Escalade and the Navigator.
Design
The SQ9 is the biggest Audi SUV, but that doesn’t mean it can’t also be the best-looking. It’s long and wide with a rake that makes it look dynamic and planted. The nose has a wide and open version of the Audi singleframe grille rendered in black with metallic elements. A black mask over the nose integrates the grille with the digital matrix LED headlights and it's topped by slender LED light signatures. The flanks have pronounced wheel haunches front and rear, while the rear end features LED taillights with dynamic turn signals, a full-width LED light strip, and an illuminated Audi logo. It’s all set on wide tires and 22-inch wheels. The SQ9 looks even meaner with the Black Optic package that has Anthracite Audi rings, a black grille, black exterior trim, black roof rails, black exterior mirror housings, and dark chrome exhaust tips.
Powertrain
The SQ9 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that produces 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. It sends that power through an eight-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels via Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system. The EPA has not yet rated the SQ9’s fuel economy, but buyers shouldn't expect anything special. The 2026 Audi SQ7 with the same powertrain is rated at 14 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, 16 mpg combined. The SQ9 can tow up to 7,700 pounds.
Interior
As we’d expect of a high-end luxury SUV, the SQ9 comes standard with lots of interior niceties. It gets Nappa leather upholstery; extended leather on many interior surfaces; front sport seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions; stainless-steel pedal caps; five-zone automatic climate control; ambient lighting; heated second-row and third-row seats; and power-folding third-row seats. Also available are automatic operating doors and a synthetic suede headliner. It seats seven as standard and available second-row captain’s chairs improve comfort while cutting capacity to six. A panoramic sunroof is standard. The SQ9 has a lot of cargo space. It has 19.3 cubic feet of space behind the third row, up to 50 cubic feet behind the sliding second row, and 87.7 cubic feet behind the first row with the rear two rows folded flat.
Technology
As the top model in Audi’s new full-size SUV lineup, the SQ9 has a lot of high-tech features as standard. It comes with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster Audi calls the Virtual Cockpit, a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch front passenger touchscreen. The infotainment system uses Android Automotive, and a range of apps is available. An Audi Connect NAV subscription has an AI-powered Audi Assistant that can control in-vehicle functions and is integrated with ChatGPT. The SQ9 also gets a standard dashcam, navigation, a head-up display, a satellite radio, dual wireless phone charging pads, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system. A 1,360-watt, 22-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system is the only tech option other than the connected subscription.
