Audi Q9: seven-seat flagship arrives with 591-hp SQ9 and air suspension

Audi has unveiled the seven-seat Q9, a full-size SUV stretching 5.31 meters. In Germany, the 299-hp diesel version starts at €108,400, while the range-topping SQ9 gets a 591-hp V8.

The new Audi Q9 is indeed 129 mm longer than the current BMW X7, but the claim about width needs a closer look. Audi lists 2,210 mm including mirrors, while the BMW's body is 2,000 mm wide — 2,218 mm with mirrors. A proper comparison shows the Q9 is actually 8 mm narrower than the BMW, and Audi hasn't yet revealed the body width without mirrors.

The Audi flagship measures 5,310 mm in length, 1,810 mm in height, with a 3,140 mm wheelbase. The BMW X7's corresponding figures are 5,181, 1,835, and 3,105 mm. So the Q9 is 129 mm longer with a 35 mm longer wheelbase, but sits 25 mm lower. Both vehicles offer six or seven-seat layouts.

In Germany, the Audi Q9 launches with a three-liter diesel V6. The higher-output version develops 299 hp and 630 Nm, while a lower tune for select markets makes 245 hp and 500 Nm. Standard equipment includes an eight-speed automatic, permanent quattro all-wheel drive, and adaptive air suspension. The more powerful diesel's claimed consumption is 7.4–8.0 l/100 km.

The sporty Audi SQ9 gets a twin-turbo four-liter V8 producing 591 hp and 800 Nm. It sprints to 100 km/h in 4 seconds. Both models can tow up to 3.5 tonnes, and the rear wheels can turn up to five degrees to tighten the big crossover's turning circle.

Seven seats come as standard, with two individual chairs available instead of the second-row bench for an extra cost. All seats get power adjustment, and the Q9 also offers automatic doors, five-zone climate control, and a panoramic roof spanning more than 1.5 square meters. The driving assistant allows hands-off driving on approved highways, though it remains a Level 2 system — the driver must stay attentive to the road.

In Germany, orders start at €108,400, roughly $126,000 at current exchange rates. Deliveries begin in November. BMWBLOG lists U.S. pricing starting at $89,095 for the Q9 and $119,395 for the SQ9.

For buyers considering a grey-market import, currency conversion alone won't determine the final price — shipping, customs clearance, and engine output all factor in. The 591-hp SQ9 in particular will be costly to run, from taxes to insurance and V8 maintenance.