Quick Highlights:
- Audi confirms its flagship Q9 large gas SUV for a late 2026 launch.
- All-new Q7 arrives alongside the Q9 with redesigned styling and updated tech.
- Both SUVs are built on Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), supporting gas, diesel, and hybrid powertrains.
- Q9 will compete directly with BMW X7, Mercedes GLS, Cadillac Escalade, and Lincoln Navigator.
- Audi has shifted from its previous EV-only plan for 2032, confirming combustion engines will continue well into the 2030s.
Audi is also joining the full-size luxury SUV segment with the forthcoming Q9, which will debut late in 2026. At the top of the list above the Q7, the Q9 would be competing with such heavy hitters as the BMW X7 and the Mercedes GLS, as well as get ready to challenge American icons that include the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator. Decades of expectant rumours and speculation have created a build-up to this model, and all Audi is hoping to offer is its most capacious, luxurious, and technologically advanced SUV to date.
It’s worth noting that while engine details are not officially confirmed, industry insiders expect the Q9 may debut with a plug-in hybrid V8 option, similar to other VW Group SUVs.
A Fresh Take on the Q7
The all-new Q7 will arrive alongside the Q9, finally ending the current model’s ten-year run. The Q7 has been around since 2016 and has gone through two facelifts, but everyone has been waiting for a proper redesign. The new Q7 comes with bolder, yet cleaner exterior lines and a cabin that mixes modern tech with comfort.
Under the hood, the standard version will carry a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, while the SQ7 will get a revised 4.0-liter turbo V8 for those wanting extra punch. These engine options are expected but not officially confirmed by Audi as of now.
| Feature / Aspect | Audi Q7 (2026) | Audi Q9 (2026) | Notes / Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | Late 2026 | Late 2026 | Both debut together |
| Segment | Full-size luxury SUV | Full-size flagship SUV | Q9 sits above Q7 |
| Platform | PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) | PPC | Same as A5, Q5, A6; supports gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid |
| Engines | 3.0L turbo V6 (standard) 4.0L turbo V8 (SQ7, expected) | Likely plug-in hybrid V8 (rumored) | Engine details partly speculative for Q9 |
| Powertrain Options | Gasoline, diesel, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid | Gasoline, diesel, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid | Q9 may start with plug-in hybrid |
| Seating / Cabin | 3-row, 7 seats | 3-row, 7 seats | Spacious, “living room on wheels” feel |
| Design | Bolder, cleaner lines | Smooth, rounded design, elegant Audi lights | Q9 continues Audi design language, slightly bigger proportions |
| Tech & Luxury | Modern infotainment, comfort-focused cabin | Plush materials, latest infotainment, luxury finishes | Emphasis on comfort and tech integration |
| Competition | BMW X5/X7, Mercedes GLE/GLS | BMW X7, Mercedes GLS, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator | Q9 positioned as flagship to rival top SUVs |
| EV Strategy | Not fully electric; gas engines with hybrid options | Not fully electric; gas engines with hybrid options | Audi shifted from EV-only 2032 plan; combustion engines to continue into 2030s |
| VW Group Synergy | Shares PPC platform | Shares PPC platform; linked to Porsche Macan replacement | Hybrid/V8 setups familiar across VW Group SUVs |
Premium Platform Combustion for Maximum Flexibility
Both the Q7 and Q9 will use Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion, or PPC, the same base as the A5, Q5, and A6. The platform can take different engines—gasoline, diesel, mild-hybrid, or plug-in hybrid. The Q9 will likely start with a plug-in hybrid, giving it V8 power with some electrified help.
Audi has used similar setups on other VW Group SUVs, so this is familiar territory, just bigger. The PPC platform also underpins Porsche’s upcoming gas-powered Macan replacement, scheduled for 2028, highlighting how VW Group shares engineering across brands.
Luxury, Space, and Driving Dynamics
The Q9 will have a roomy three-row cabin that can fit seven people without feeling cramped. Inside, Audi is going for a real “living room on wheels” vibe, with plush materials, the latest infotainment, and tech that’s easy to use. The design stays elegant but simple, with smooth lines, a big grille upfront, and the usual Audi lights that make it stand out.
Strategic Timing and Market Relevance
Neither the Q7 nor the Q9 will come as full electric vehicles. Audi is sticking with gas engines for now and will continue using them well into the next decade. With Europe’s 2035 ban on new gas and diesel vehicles still up for review, Audi is keeping its V6 and V8 engines, often paired with hybrid setups, ready to meet whatever rules come next.
Audi’s move also reflects a broader strategy within the VW Group, where combustion and hybrid powertrains are being retained alongside EVs to cater to diverse customer demands. Porsche, for instance, has confirmed that its V8 engines will continue well into the 2030s, even as it develops EVs.
Looking Ahead
By the end of 2026, Audi will be able to offer a completely modernised full-size SUV lineup. The Q7 will update an established brand, and the Q9 will establish a new standard of size, luxury, and performance to the brand. Having several powertrain choices, the latest technology and dominating the road with its presence, the Q9 is set to become a car that changes what a flagship Audi SUV can be.
Source: Audi
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