2027 Audi SQ9
By Lorenzo Bianchi July 29, 2026
The Audi SQ9 is powered by a revised 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-100 km/h in 4.0 seconds.
Power goes through a new rear-biased quattro all-wheel-drive system with a controlled rear differential lock, paired with mixed-size tires up to 315 mm wide at the rear.
The SQ9 will be offered in selected markets including the U.S. and Canada, but isn't currently available in Germany, with Audi still reviewing a potential European rollout.
A Performance Flagship for Select Markets
The source press release is dated 29th July 2026 and centers on the U.S. launch of the Q9 family, with deliveries described as starting in the fourth quarter of 2026 and the broader Q9 lineup arriving in the U.S. from mid-2026. Nothing in the document references a 2027 model year, so that designation in the target naming isn't confirmed here. What is confirmed is that the Audi SQ9 will complement the Q9 model family in selected markets, including the U.S. and Canada, giving Audi's new full-size SUV lineup a performance-oriented top model.
Built From the Same Shape, Not the Same Availability
The release doesn't provide SQ9-specific exterior dimensions or styling details separate from the standard Q9. What is confirmed is that the SQ9 shares the Q9 family's positioning as Audi's largest SUV, and that it isn't currently offered in Germany — Audi says it's still reviewing whether and when a European launch might happen. That's a notable contrast to the standard Q9, which launches in Germany at €108,400 for the entry TDI variant.
Interior and Technology
The source material doesn't detail SQ9-specific interior trim or technology beyond what applies across the Q9 family generally, which includes seven-seat standard capacity, an optional six-seat business-class layout, automatic doors, and a panoramic sunroof described as the largest ever fitted to an Audi.
The Engine Doing the Work
Under the hood, the SQ9 gets a revised 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque — a clear step up from the standard Q9's diesel and gasoline V6 options. Audi quotes a 0-100 km/h sprint of 4.0 seconds, respectable for a vehicle of this size. Power reaches the ground through a new rear-biased quattro all-wheel-drive system built around a controlled rear differential lock, a setup Audi says is tuned specifically for dynamic handling rather than pure efficiency
Chassis and Practical Numbers
The SQ9 rides on mixed-size tires, up to 285 mm at the front and 315 mm at the rear, and comes standard with adaptive air suspension and rear-axle steering — the same underpinnings Audi fits to the regular Q9. Towing capacity holds at up to 3,500 kg, matching the standard model, which suggests the SQ9's added performance hasn't come at the cost of the family's practical utility.
Where It Fits
Audi of America president Vito Paladino frames the wider Q9 family as completing the brand's SUV portfolio alongside all-new Q3 and Q7 models and the "top-performing" Q5, calling it foundational to Audi's U.S. growth strategy. The release doesn't name specific rival performance SUVs for direct comparison, so how the SQ9 stacks up against competitors in that segment isn't addressed in the source material. Both the Q9 family and SQ9 are built at Audi's Bratislava plant, which has produced large SUVs for the brand for more than two decades.