Audi Targets American Drivers With Full-Size Q9 SUV

The Q9 enters a crowded, high-margin field with a starting price of $89,095, while the high-performance SQ9 variant climbs to $119,395. Measuring 209 inches in length, the vehicle offers a legitimate third row capable of seating adults, a deliberate design choice intended to resolve space complaints common in smaller luxury crossovers. Filip Brabec, Audi of America’s senior vice president of product management, noted that the vehicle prioritizes the specific preferences of U.S. buyers, including powerful six and eight-cylinder engines and oversized cupholders.

Performance metrics reflect this domestic focus. The base Q9 utilizes a 2.9-liter V6 producing 429 horsepower, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds. The SQ9 upgrades to a 4.0-liter V8, delivering 591 horsepower and a 3.8-second sprint to 60 mph. Beyond mechanical output, the SUV introduces “matrix adaptive beam” headlights—long available in Europe and now permitted in the U.S.—which utilize LED clusters to minimize glare for oncoming traffic. The interior further pushes into the premium space with a ChatGPT-integrated voice assistant, power-opening doors, and the largest moonroof ever fitted to an Audi production vehicle.