Audi has officially pulled the covers off the interior of the Q9, the German carmaker's upcoming flagship three-row SUV. While Audi already sells a three-row luxury SUV in the form of the Q7, the Q9 will slot above it as a larger option, better positioned to take the fight to the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7. The full reveal of the Q9 is slated for July 29, 2026.
- Q9 to be offered in 7-seat and 6-seat (second-row captain's chairs) layouts
- Feature list includes triple screens, panoramic sunroof, massaging front seats, etc
- Split-headlight setup, rear LED light bar, illuminated Audi logos and 23-inch alloys on the outside
Audi Q9 interior and features
First Audi with electrical operability for all doors
Starting off with the doors, the Q9 is the first Audi that offers electrical operability for every single door. They can be opened or closed via the key fob, infotainment touchscreen, seatbelt buckle, myAudi app, and even the brake pedal. Moreover, the Q9's doors are equipped with a bevy of sensors that can stop them from opening should the SUV be in a tight parking space or if there's an incoming motorist from behind on the road.
Triple screens take centre stage on the dash
Step into the Q9, and the most prominent element on the dashboard is a triple-screen setup, which comes fitted as standard and comprises a curved central touchscreen and driver's display, along with a flat passenger screen. Consequently, there's little in the way of physical controls on the dashboard, but the three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel thankfully houses a bevy of buttons and scroll wheels.
Dual wireless charging pads and ample storage space on the centre console
Like the new-gen Audi Q3, the Q9 shifts the gear selector to the right stalk behind the steering wheel, while the left stalk is a larger unit that combines the light, wiper and indicator controls. This frees up more storage space on the centre console, which features dual wireless charging pads (these support the latest Qi2.2 standard), two 100W USB-C charging ports, an electronic parking brake, the engine start/stop button, and some physical controls for the hazard lights, media volume, drive mode selection, 360-degree camera, and more.
Massive panoramic sunroof can be specced with ambient lighting
Also of note is the Q9's huge laminated panoramic sunroof, which is split into nine segments that can be toggled transparent or opaque. The top-spec Q9 trim's panoramic sunroof even includes 84 LEDs that sync up with the ambient lighting. Speaking of which, there's a lot of ambient lighting in the Q9's cabin, covering the top of the dashboard, the door liners, and even the base of the seat headrests.
7-seat and 6-seat configurations to be on offer
As for seating configuration, the Q9 can be had either as a 7-seater or a 6-seater with second-row captain's chairs – these are electrically adjustable and ventilated. The front seats are powered and ventilated as well, and additionally offer a massage function, while the third-row seatbacks can be folded down electrically. Lastly, there's a Bang & Olufsen 4D sound system on offer, which can be synced with the ambient lighting and features speakers and haptic actuators in the front seats – a system similar to that of Land Rover's Body and Soul seats.
Audi Q9 exterior design
Full-size SUV features split Matrix LED headlights and a rear light bar
The images provided are of a camouflaged Q9. That said, many design details are visible, particularly a split-headlight setup, a large grille with several illuminated parabolas, an illuminated Audi emblem, and a wide air dam with hexagonal patterns on the front end.
Over to the side, the Q9's long wheelbase and boxy proportions are evident, along with 23-inch alloy wheels and large roof rails. The rear end of the Q9, meanwhile, features an LED light bar with an illuminated Audi emblem, a prominent roof spoiler, and quad exhaust tips.
Audi Q9 powertrains
Could offer plug-in hybrid setups
No details have been disclosed yet about what's under the skin of the Q9, but the SUV is expected to be underpinned by the Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). The Q9 is likely to be powered by plug-in hybrid powertrains across the range, with top trims potentially offering a twin-turbo V8.
Uday Singh
Dhruv Dhaka
Glenn Noronha
