Audi to Launch Flagship Q9 Large Luxury SUV Targeting Families

Audi will officially launch its first full-size luxury SUV—the Q9—in 2026, entering the highly competitive large SUV segment. The new model will feature a genuinely practical third-row seat, offering significantly more space than the current Q7 and potentially attracting buyers who would otherwise choose vehicles like the Chevrolet Tahoe or Suburban. According to Tom McCollum, Chairman of Audi’s National Dealer Council, the Q9 will come with second-row captain’s chairs and a walk-through passageway. Although its overall length—around 5.35 meters—will be slightly shorter than the Tahoe’s, it will be noticeably larger than the upcoming next-generation Q7. Amid a 16% decline in Audi’s U.S. sales in 2025 and a 12% drop in Q7 demand, the dual-pronged strategy of introducing both the Q9 and the all-new Q7 is seen as crucial to reviving sales momentum. Despite existing competitors such as the BMW X7 and Land Rover Range Rover, Audi remains confident that the Q9 will fill a long-standing product gap for family-oriented customers who have been seeking exactly this type of vehicle.