Audi AG unveiled the 2027 Audi SQ9 alongside its Q9 sibling on July 28, 2026, introducing the largest and most powerful three-row SUV in the marque’s history. Positioned above the outgoing Q7 and sized to compete directly with the BMW X7 M60i and Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, the SQ9 marks Audi’s return to a full-size V8-powered flagship for the US and European markets.
The performance formula draws on Audi’s existing S-line playbook: a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, previously seen in the pre-facelift RS6 Avant, has been carried over and paired with an upgraded 8-speed automatic transmission. Combined output reaches 591 hp (441 kW) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft), driving all four wheels through a rear-biased Quattro all-wheel-drive system with a locking rear differential.
591 HP Twin-Turbo V8 — Powertrain Breakdown
The engine block is the same 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 that powered the pre-facelift RS6 Avant, retuned for SUV duty. Output stands at 591 hp (441 kW) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) of torque. Transmission is an 8-speed torque-converter automatic upgraded internally to handle the increased load, and there is no plug-in hybrid variant at launch — Audi confirmed the SQ9 remains pure combustion for its debut model year.
All-wheel-drive is handled by a full-time Quattro system with a rear-biased torque split and a mechanical locking rear differential for improved traction on loose surfaces and at the limit of grip. Standard equipment includes adaptive air suspension, tuned specifically for the SQ9 with stiffer damping and a lower ride height than the standard Q9.
0–60 in 3.8 s, Top Speed 155 mph — Performance vs BMW X7 M60i and AMG GLS 63
Audi claims 0–60 mph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph (249 km/h). Kerb weight is quoted at 5,556 lb (2,520 kg), giving the SQ9 a power-to-weight figure that undercuts the BMW X7 M60i and puts it within striking distance of the significantly more expensive Mercedes-AMG GLS 63.
Braking hardware includes 16.5-inch (419 mm) front rotors with six-piston fixed calipers, standard on every SQ9. Tyres run staggered: 285 front, 305 rear on the standard 22-inch wheels, or 285/315 on the optional 23-inch package fitted with summer performance rubber.
PPC Platform, Rear-Biased Quattro & Air Suspension — Chassis Overhaul
The SQ9 is built on Audi’s new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) architecture, developed for large ICE and mild-hybrid models sitting above the outgoing MLB Evo. Compared to the Q9 base model, the SQ9 gains stiffer chassis mounts, unique steering calibration, and rear anti-roll compensation. Standard adaptive air suspension lets the SQ9 lift for off-road clearance or squat down for high-speed autobahn stability.
Standard rolling stock is a set of 22-inch aluminum wheels. The optional 23-inch package pairs a wider staggered fitment with summer performance tyres and adds a set of forged wheels finished in matte black.
Design — Hexagonal Grille, Matrix LEDs, OLED Taillights, Quad Exhaust
The SQ9 is visually differentiated from the Q9 by a redesigned front end featuring a hexagonal honeycomb grille pattern (in place of the Q9’s vertical chrome slats), aluminum-finished mirror caps, wider wheel arches, a subtle body-kit spoiler and a redesigned lower valance. At the rear, quad exhaust tips sit either side of a diffuser panel that reshapes the underbody airflow.
Lighting is a signature feature: the front uses split matrix LED headlights stacked vertically behind a tinted acrylic panel, while the rear features a full-width curved OLED taillight strip with switchable light patterns and illuminated Audi rings that animate on approach. This is also the first Audi sold in the United States with the full Matrix Digital LED headlight system enabled from the factory.
Interior — Triple Displays, Powered Doors, Panoramic OLED Roof
The SQ9 interior introduces a three-screen digital layout: an 11.9-inch driver instrument display, a 14.5-inch central touchscreen and a dedicated 12.3-inch passenger display equipped with Privacy Mode — a filter that renders the screen unreadable from the driver’s seat during motion. All three screens run Audi’s next-generation MMI experience with integrated ChatGPT voice control and hands-free lane-change assistance.
Interior differentiation for the S includes embossed “S” logos on the headrests, grey quilted perforated Nappa leather (with black available), a red ambient lighting strip running across the dashboard and doors, red seatbelts, and a red-ringed engine start/stop button. Seating is offered in 6-seat (twin captain’s chairs) or 7-seat configurations, with all rows electrically adjustable.
An industry first for Audi is a set of powered soft-close doors that open to a full 90 degrees, incorporating obstacle detection and app-controlled operation. The panoramic sunroof covers more than 1.5 m², uses 9 switchable transparency segments, and integrates 84 LEDs for programmable interior lighting. Sound is handled by a Bang & Olufsen 4D system with headrest-mounted speakers and haptic seat actuators.
Full Spec Table — 2027 Audi SQ9 vs BMW X7 M60i vs Mercedes-AMG GLS 63
| Specification | 2027 Audi SQ9 | BMW X7 M60i (G07 LCI) | Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 | 4.4L twin-turbo V8 mHEV | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 mHEV |
| Power | 591 hp (441 kW) | 523 hp (390 kW) | 603 hp (450 kW) |
| Torque | 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) | 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) | 850 Nm (627 lb-ft) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 8-speed automatic | 9-speed MCT automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-biased Quattro AWD, locking rear diff | xDrive AWD | 4MATIC+ AWD |
| 0–60 mph | 3.8 s | 4.5 s | 3.9 s |
| Top Speed | 155 mph (limited) | 155 mph (limited) | 174 mph (opt.) |
| Kerb Weight | 5,556 lb (2,520 kg) | 5,724 lb | 5,700 lb |
| Length | 209 in (5,309 mm) | 203.3 in (5,163 mm) | 205.0 in (5,207 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 123.5 in (3,137 mm) | 122.2 in (3,105 mm) | 123.4 in (3,135 mm) |
| Front Brakes | 16.5″ rotors, 6-piston | 15.6″ rotors, 4-piston | 15.7″ rotors, 6-piston |
| Wheels | 22″ std / 23″ opt | 22″ std | 23″ std |
| Suspension | Adaptive air (std) | Adaptive air (std) | E-Active Body Control |
| Seating | 6 or 7 (three rows) | 6 or 7 | 7 |
| Base Price (US) | $119,395 | $114,700 | $146,050 |
Price, Availability & Q4 2026 Deliveries
The 2027 Audi SQ9 is offered as a single well-equipped trim at a US MSRP of $119,395 (before destination charges and options). That positions it approximately $30,300 above the entry-level Q9 V6 ($89,095) and slightly above the BMW X7 M60i, while undercutting the more powerful AMG GLS 63 by roughly $27,000.
European pricing has not yet been broken out for the SQ9 specifically; the base Q9 diesel is priced from €87,900 in Germany, with the top diesel trim at €108,400. First customer deliveries begin in Q4 2026, with US and European launches occurring in parallel. The SQ9 also serves as the launch vehicle for Audi’s new PPC platform in the US market.
Verdict — A V8 Flagship Aimed Squarely at BMW and Mercedes
The SQ9 is Audi’s most direct challenger to the BMW X7 M60i and AMG GLS 63 in more than a decade. It brings a proven twin-turbo V8, class-leading braking hardware, standard air suspension and a technology suite — triple screens, powered doors, OLED taillights, Matrix Digital LEDs — that pushes the segment forward on the interior-tech front. Pricing sits neatly between the two German rivals, and standard equipment is generous.
What it does not offer at launch is any form of electrification. In a segment where the AMG GLS 63 and BMW X7 M60i both run mild-hybrid systems, the SQ9’s pure combustion powertrain is either a purist statement or a temporary compromise, depending on how one reads Audi’s roadmap. Either way, Q4 2026 puts the SQ9 in showrooms alongside a facelifted X7 and just ahead of the next-generation GLS.
Sources & Verification
Technical figures, pricing and launch timing verified against the following primary and secondary sources: BMWBlog Q9/SQ9 debut coverage (July 28, 2026), CNBC Audi Q9 SUV launch report, Motor1 Q9 and SQ9 details, Ars Technica Q9 first look, Car and Driver SQ9 exterior gallery, CarExpert Q9 flagship coverage, Auto Motor und Sport (Germany), and Newsweek Audi CEO new era analysis. Performance and dimensional figures are manufacturer-quoted at time of publication.
