Audi has entered the full-size luxury SUV market with the new Q9, a seven-seat flagship that becomes the largest model the German manufacturer has ever produced.
With prices starting at £103,900, the Audi Q9 sits above the rest of the brand’s SUV line-up and is available in Edition 1 and Vorsprung specifications. UK deliveries are expected to begin in November.
V6 Diesel Leads The UK Range
At launch, UK customers will be able to choose a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine producing 299PS and 630Nm of torque.
The engine produces CO2 emissions of between 204 and 209g/km and is supported by Audi’s latest MHEV plus mild-hybrid technology.
While the Q9 uses mild-hybrid technology rather than a plug-in hybrid system, electrified powertrains are becoming increasingly common across the new-car market.
The system combines a powertrain generator developed specifically for the Q9, a belt-driven starter-generator and a lithium iron phosphate battery.
As well as providing additional assistance when pulling away and accelerating, the technology can allow the SUV to travel under electric power for limited periods. Audi says the system also reduces the workload placed on the combustion engine, helping to improve efficiency and lower emissions.
Audi’s Biggest Vehicle Yet
The Q9 measures 5.31 metres long, 2.21 metres wide and 1.81 metres high, with a wheelbase stretching to 3.14 metres.
That makes it the largest vehicle Audi has produced to date.
Seven seats are fitted as standard, with all three rows designed to provide a high level of adjustability and flexibility.
Vorsprung customers can alternatively specify a six-seat configuration with individually power-adjustable seats. This option costs an additional £5,000.
Audi has also introduced electrically operated doors on the Q9. They can open to an angle of up to 90 degrees, while an obstacle detection system can stop the doors automatically if something is detected in their path.
The second row in the seven-seat version uses a 35/30/35 split, with all three seats featuring Isofix mounting points.
The seats can be moved electrically forwards and backwards, while the backrests fold in a 65/35 arrangement. Part of the larger section can also be folded independently, giving owners additional options when configuring the cabin.
Luxury Features Across The Cabin
Comfort is a major focus of the Q9, with sports seats plus fitted at the front. These feature heating, ventilation and massage functions, with controls positioned on the seats themselves.
Heated armrests are also fitted to the doors and centre armrests for passengers in both the front and rear.
Another notable feature is the panoramic glass roof, which Audi says is the largest it has ever fitted to one of its vehicles.
The roof incorporates nine separately controllable sections, allowing occupants to vary the amount of light entering the cabin while also providing additional protection from glare when required.
Adaptive Air Suspension And Four-Wheel Steering
The Q9 comes with adaptive air suspension as standard, combining continuously adjustable damping with variable ride height.
The system can alter the vehicle’s settings according to factors including speed, load and road conditions, while the driver can also manually adjust the ride height through Audi drive select.
Across its full range, the suspension provides 90mm of height adjustment. In its standard balanced setting, the Q9 can be lowered by 62mm to make getting in and out easier.
Four-wheel steering is also available to improve the SUV’s manoeuvrability. The Q9’s drivetrain layout also plays an important role in how it delivers power to the road, with our guide to FWD, RWD, AWD and 4WD explaining the key differences between the main drivetrain systems.
At lower speeds, the rear wheels can turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels to make the large Q9 easier to handle. At higher speeds, the system is intended to improve stability and steering response. The rear wheels can move by as much as five degrees.
Large Digital Display Setup
The Q9’s dashboard features Audi’s latest MMI panoramic display, combining OLED technology with a curved screen design.
The driver receives an 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit, while a 14.5-inch MMI touch display provides access to the main infotainment functions.
Passengers also receive their own 12.3-inch display, which incorporates a dynamic privacy mode designed to prevent the driver from being distracted by its content.
The infotainment system runs on Android Automotive OS, with third-party applications available through the integrated Audi Application Store. This means compatible apps can be accessed directly through the vehicle without requiring a smartphone connection.
Ground-Projected Turn Signals Add Another High-Tech Feature
One of the more distinctive technology features of the new Audi Q9 is its ground-projected turn signal system.
Using Audi’s Digital Matrix LED technology, the Q9 can project animated directional signals onto the road when the indicators are activated. This extends the vehicle’s visual signalling beyond the lights themselves, helping make its intended direction more noticeable to people nearby.
The technology could be particularly useful around junctions, pedestrian crossings and busy urban areas, where pedestrians and cyclists may not always have a clear view of the vehicle’s conventional indicators.
The ground projection works alongside the Q9’s other advanced lighting features, including its Digital Matrix LED headlights and customisable light signatures. It is another example of Audi using its high-resolution lighting technology for purposes beyond simply illuminating the road.
Audi is also bringing its Digital Matrix LED technology to the updated Q7, suggesting that some of the lighting innovations introduced with the Q9 could eventually become available elsewhere in the range.
Edition 1 And Vorsprung Specifications
The entry point into the Q9 range is the Edition 1, although its standard equipment reflects the model’s flagship positioning.
It includes 22-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, S line exterior styling and Matrix LED headlights with customisable light signatures.
A Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system is also included, alongside a wide range of driver assistance technology.
Moving up to Vorsprung brings larger 23-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, Digital Matrix LED headlights and curved Digital OLED rear lights.
The higher specification also adds a Bang & Olufsen 4D Premium sound system, Park Assist Pro, Adaptive Cruise Assist Plus, 3D surround-view cameras and automatic doors.
With its substantial dimensions, adaptive air suspension, four-wheel steering and extensive standard equipment, the Q9 is designed to compete with some of the most established luxury SUVs on the market, including the Genesis GV90.
Audi Q9 Price And Specifications
The new Audi Q9 enters the UK market as a large luxury SUV with a substantial list of standard equipment. Here are some of the key specifications for the launch model:
| Specification | Audi Q9 |
|---|---|
| Starting price | £103,900 |
| Engine | 3.0-litre V6 diesel |
| Power | 299PS |
| Torque | 630Nm |
| Seats | 7 |
| Length | 5.31m |
| Width | 2.21m |
| Height | 1.81m |
| Wheelbase | 3.14m |
| CO2 emissions | 204–209g/km |
| UK deliveries | Expected from November |
The Q9 is available in Edition 1 and Vorsprung specifications, with the latter adding further luxury, technology and driver-assistance equipment.
With its combination of seven-seat practicality, powerful V6 diesel performance and extensive technology, the Q9 is positioned firmly at the premium end of the UK SUV market.
The Audi Q9 is likely to attract interest from businesses considering business car leasing, particularly where comfort, practicality and long-distance driving are important considerations.
For drivers considering leasing rather than purchasing a vehicle outright, our guide to Personal Contract Hire Explained: A Complete Guide For UK Drivers explains how personal contract hire works, while our guide to what credit score you need to lease a car explains how credit checks can affect a leasing application.
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