Audi Australia is closing in on its biggest SUV ever, and the new Q9 flagship is looking increasingly likely to land in local showrooms.
Audi has just revealed the interior of its new upper-large SUV, and Audi Australia's Head of Product Matthew Dale has been clear about local interest. The brand will look closely at the Q9 given the Australian appetite for upper-large luxury SUVs continues to grow.
The car itself is significant. It will be the largest high-riding model the brand has ever built, sitting above the existing Q7 and Q8 to rival the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Range Rover and the upcoming Lexus LX-replacement.
What we know about the interior
The first interior reveal is the headline. The Q9 offers a choice of six or seven seats, with the six-seat version removing the second-row middle seat for two captain's chairs.
A panoramic sunroof is standard, paired with a Bang and Olufsen premium sound system that features 4D sound effects. The most distinctive feature is the new 'no-touch' door system, which allows all four doors to be opened from the central touchscreen, the myAudi app, the key or potentially via the brake pedal and seatbelt buckles when programmed.
The system uses sensors and cameras to detect approaching cyclists and passing road users, similar to the Zeekr 7X and the Lexus e-Latch system. That is genuinely useful in tight urban environments where a swung-open door could cause an incident.
Material choices include wool, including alpaca fibre, Dinamica microfibre, leather and leatherette blends, and Nappa leather on higher trims. The front seats are massaging, heated, ventilated and electrically adjustable. The second-row seats are partially power-adjustable, including the third row.
Powertrain expectations
Full specifications have not been released, but the Q9 will likely be built on the larger Volkswagen Group Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, the same as the new Q7 it is being developed alongside.
Both the new Q7 and Q9 are expected to use four- and six-cylinder petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. There is also speculation about V8 power finding its way into the flagship model, similar to the current SQ7 and SQ8.
Whether a hot SQ9 reaches Australia is a different question, but the brand has historically followed every other premium German manufacturer in offering a performance variant of its largest SUV.
Why this matters for Australian buyers
Audi's local data tells the story. The current top-of-range Q8 saw 514 sales in 2025, up from 445 in 2024. That is meaningful growth in a segment most Australian luxury brands consider critical for halo positioning.
The smaller Q3 SUV remains the brand's best-seller at 4206 sales in 2025, but the Q8's growing volume tells Audi that there is appetite for an even bigger SUV. Dale was explicit about why the brand keeps making them.
Audi sees upper-large luxury SUVs as space for technological leadership. The Q9 will likely be the first vehicle to receive new safety, infotainment and powertrain technologies, with those features then filtering down to smaller models over time.
How it compares to rivals
The Q9's primary competitors in Australia will be the BMW X7, the Mercedes-Benz GLS, the Range Rover and the upcoming Lexus replacement for the LX. All four offer six- or seven-seat configurations, all four sit above A$200,000 in Australia, and all four cater to buyers who prioritise space, refinement and brand prestige over outright performance.
For Audi loyalists, the Q9 finally gives the brand a credible answer in this segment. The Q7 has long been the largest Audi SUV available locally and has been a strong product, but it has always lacked the road presence of the X7 and GLS. The Q9 closes that visual gap.
The Range Rover comparison is more interesting. Land Rover has historically owned the upper-large luxury SUV segment on lifestyle credentials and off-road heritage. The Q9 will not match that off-road brief, but it does offer a more contemporary cabin and likely better on-road manners.
When the Q9 will reach Australia
Audi has confirmed the Q9 world premiere is expected around Q3 2026. Australian launch timing typically follows three to six months behind global reveal, which would put Australian deliveries in late 2026 or early 2027.
Dale's comments are not a hard commitment, but the language was deliberately positive. The phrase 'we would certainly be looking at a product like the Q9' from a head of product is typically the precursor to a formal local launch announcement once world premiere details are public.
What this means for Q7 and Q8 buyers
If you are currently in the market for an Audi Q7 or Q8, the Q9 announcement is worth considering. The current-generation Q7 is approaching the end of its life cycle, and a new Q7 is being developed on the same PPC platform as the Q9. Buyers who can wait will get a more modern product.
Q8 buyers face a different calculation. The Q8 sits below the Q9 in size and is positioned as a more rakish, coupe-influenced SUV. The two cars will likely coexist in the lineup rather than overlap, which means an existing Q8 buyer is not being made obsolete by the Q9's arrival.
Carseekers will update this story as Audi Australia confirms specifications, pricing and launch timing for the Q9.
Dealer behaviour to watch
Upper-large luxury SUV launches typically come with strict allocation control. If the Q9 is confirmed for Australia, expect early build slots to be the way buyers actually get a car within the first 12 months. Some Audi dealers may take pre-launch deposits as soon as global pricing is announced.
As always, do not pay a non-refundable deposit before Audi Australia publishes a formal local price book and configurator. For a six-figure purchase, that is non-negotiable.
Bottom line
The Audi Q9 looks set to fill a critical gap in Audi Australia's lineup against the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. The interior reveal shows a serious effort on materials, technology and family-friendly features, including the new no-touch doors. Watch for an Audi Australia confirmation announcement after the global world premiere in Q3 2026, with Australian deliveries likely in late 2026 or early 2027.
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The finer details
Your questions answered.
Is the Audi Q9 coming to Australia?
Audi Australia's Head of Product Matthew Dale has confirmed strong interest in launching the Q9 locally, calling it the kind of upper-large luxury SUV that would suit the Australian market. A formal announcement is expected after the global world premiere in Q3 2026.
When will the Audi Q9 arrive in Australia?
The Q9 world premiere is scheduled for around Q3 2026. Australian launch timing typically lags world premiere by three to six months, which points to local deliveries in late 2026 or early 2027.
How big is the Audi Q9?
Final dimensions have not been confirmed, but the Q9 will sit above the existing Q7 and Q8 in Audi's lineup. It is built on the larger PPC platform shared with the next-generation Q7 and offers either six or seven seats.
Will the Audi Q9 be a plug-in hybrid?
Plug-in hybrid is expected to be one of several available powertrains. Four- and six-cylinder petrol and diesel options are also likely. There is speculation about V8 power for a flagship SQ9 variant, but that has not been confirmed.
How does the Audi Q9 compare to the BMW X7?
Both are upper-large luxury SUVs with six- or seven-seat layouts and electrified powertrain options. The Q9 will likely match the X7 on size and powertrain breadth while offering Audi's distinctive interior design and material choices. Pricing should sit in a similar bracket above $200,000.
Should I buy a Q7 or wait for the Q9?
If you need a large luxury Audi SUV now and want lower running costs, a current Q7 is the sensible buy. If you want the latest tech, the no-touch door system, the biggest cabin and the longest residual-value life, wait for the Q9. Both cars will likely coexist in the lineup after launch.
