TL;DR
Get business pricing on garage and car supplies
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
The Drive’s first-drive review describes the 2027 Audi Q9 and SQ9 as Audi’s entry into the large luxury three-row SUV market, with roomier rear seating and more cargo space than the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS by the figures cited. The Q9 starts at $89,095 and the SQ9 at $119,395, including destination; the review also notes that no hybrid version is offered and says some equipment and packaging details remain to be assessed.
Audi is entering the large luxury three-row SUV market with the 2027 Q9 and SQ9, which The Drive says offer adult-friendly third-row seating and more cargo room than the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS on the measurements cited in its first-drive review. The models add a larger family-SUV option to Audi’s lineup, with starting prices of $89,095 for the Q9 and $119,395 for the SQ9, including destination.
The Q9 is Audi’s largest vehicle to date, according to The Drive, and shares underpinnings with the Q7 while expanding its cabin and cargo capacity. The report describes the third row as usable for adults and says the second-row seats slide and tilt, allowing access to the back row while a child seat remains installed. Doors open to 90 degrees, though the review cautions that buyers with narrow garages should account for the large openings.
The report lists a turbocharged V6 for the Q9 and a V8 for the sportier SQ9. It also describes a cabin with a curved display assembly for the driver and infotainment systems, a separate passenger screen, cooled smartphone chargers and an available Bang & Olufsen 4D audio system. Audi offers wheels from 21 to 23 inches, and the review notes that the tested SQ9 had particularly wide rear tires.
With all three rows in use, the Q9 has 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space, The Drive reports—1.9 cubic feet more than the GLS and 6.5 more than the X7. The review gives a range of 43.8 to 60 cubic feet with the third row folded, without explaining in the supplied material what configurations account for that range. Pricing includes a $1,395 destination charge. The report says the vehicles were nearing dealer arrival, but it does not provide a firm date.
Audi Adds a Larger Family SUV
The Q9 gives Audi a direct entry into a large luxury SUV segment where the GLS and X7 are established choices. The review’s measurements and observations point to a practical pitch: families get more usable third-row seating and cargo capacity than the Q7 provides, while retaining the premium equipment and power expected in this price class.
That case comes with trade-offs. The listed Q9 and SQ9 engines are gasoline V6 and V8 options, and The Drive says no hybrid model is available. Buyers weighing fuel use, electrification or ownership costs will need information beyond the first-drive assessment. The SQ9’s higher starting price also places it well above the Q9, so its performance and equipment need to justify the additional $30,300 to individual shoppers.
Products Worth Considering
Chemical Guys 16-Piece Arsenal Builder Car Wash Kit with Foam Cannon & Bucket
Autel Home EV Charger up to 50A J1772 Hardwired Level 2 Charger with 25 ft Cable
Milwaukee M18 Impact Wrench BT 2863-20
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
A Gap Above the Q7
The Drive frames the Q9 as a response to a limitation in Audi’s existing Q7 three-row SUV: its third row is cramped for adults, and using it leaves limited cargo room. The Q9 shares the Q7’s underpinnings but is substantially larger, positioning it to serve households that need regular third-row use rather than occasional extra seats.
Audi has entered a segment already served by the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7. The new model’s styling, displays and available audio system follow Audi’s technology-focused approach, while the review emphasizes practical details such as second-row seat movement, cupholders and space behind the third row. Those observations come from a first drive, not a long-term ownership test.
“The third row is adult-friendly.”
— The Drive, in its first-drive review
Open Questions on the Launch Range
The supplied review material does not give a confirmed dealer arrival date, full trim-by-trim equipment list, fuel-economy figures, towing ratings or complete powertrain specifications. It refers to significant towing capacity but provides no rating, so buyers cannot use this account alone to compare the Q9’s towing ability with rivals.
The review also says only vehicles fitted with sport bucket seats and power-operated second-row captain’s chairs were available to test. That leaves the comfort and practicality of other seating configurations unassessed. Its folded-third-row cargo figure ranges from 43.8 to 60 cubic feet, but the supplied text does not identify the variants or measurement conditions behind the difference. No independent long-term reliability or real-world fuel-use evidence is included.
Dealer Arrival and Full Specifications
Audi’s next public milestones are the Q9 and SQ9’s dealer arrival and final sales information. Prospective buyers can compare the published prices and seating measurements with the GLS and X7, then confirm local availability, equipment, towing ratings and fuel economy with Audi dealers. A longer-term review would be needed to judge ride comfort, efficiency and how the touch-screen controls work in daily family use.
Key Questions
How much do the 2027 Audi Q9 and SQ9 cost?
The Drive lists a starting price of $89,095 for the Q9 and $119,395 for the SQ9, each including a $1,395 destination charge.
How much cargo space does the Q9 have?
The reported capacity is 19.3 cubic feet with all three rows up. The Drive gives 43.8 to 60 cubic feet with the third row folded; the supplied review text does not explain the difference between those figures.
What engines are available?
The report identifies a turbocharged V6 in the Q9 and a V8 in the SQ9. It does not include full output, fuel-economy or towing figures.
Does Audi offer a hybrid Q9?
The Drive’s review says no hybrid model is in sight for the range it assessed. The supplied material does not describe any later electrified option.
Is the Q9’s third row suitable for adults?
The reviewer describes the third row as adult-friendly and reports being able to sit there with a 6-foot-5 passenger in the second row. That is a first-drive observation, not a full assessment of every seating configuration.
Source: thedrive.com
