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The Drive’s first-drive review says Audi’s 2027 Q9 and SQ9 add a more spacious three-row SUV to a segment led by the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7. The Q9 starts at $89,095 including destination, while the V8-powered SQ9 starts at $119,395; the review praised family-focused space but noted that no hybrid version is planned in the report.
Audi is preparing to enter the full-size luxury three-row SUV market with the 2027 Q9 and sportier SQ9, according to a first-drive review by The Drive. The models add adult-friendly third-row seating and more cargo space than the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS figures cited in the review, giving Audi a new offering for families who have outgrown the Q7.
The Q9 is Audi’s largest vehicle, and it shares underpinnings with the Q7 while adding a longer, roomier cabin. The Drive reports that the Q9 uses a turbocharged V6 and the SQ9 a V8. The review also describes both as having substantial towing capacity, but the supplied report does not provide a tow rating. Audi’s new models are due to reach dealers, though the source material does not give a specific on-sale date.
Prices listed in the review begin at $89,095 for the Q9, including a $1,395 destination charge, and $119,395 for the SQ9. The cabin includes a curved display arrangement combining the driver’s instruments and infotainment screen, plus a separate screen for the front passenger. Available equipment includes cooled smartphone chargers and a Bang & Olufsen 4D sound system with 22 speakers and seat actuators.
The Drive found the Q9’s second row easy to access through doors that open wide, and reported that the seats slide and tilt to help passengers reach the back while a child seat remains installed. The reviewer said the third row could accommodate adults. With all seats in place, the Q9 has 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space, which the report says is 1.9 cubic feet more than the GLS and 6.5 more than the X7. With the third row folded, the cited capacity ranges from 43.8 to 60 cubic feet; the source excerpt does not explain the difference between those figures.
Audi Adds a Family-First Flagship
The Q9 gives Audi a direct entry into a category where buyers often need three usable rows and enough luggage room for a full family. The Drive’s measurements suggest a practical advantage over the GLS and X7 when all seats are occupied, while its description of the sliding second row points to easier access for families using child seats.
That does not establish that the Q9 is better overall than its rivals. The review’s headline frames the Audi as stronger on family-friendliness, but that is an editorial assessment, not an independently verified comparison across every trim or configuration. Price, powertrain choice and everyday usability will determine whether Audi can win customers from established competitors. The reported lack of a hybrid option may also matter to shoppers seeking electrified power or lower fuel use.
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A Larger Step Beyond the Q7
Audi’s existing Q7 is a three-row SUV, but The Drive says its third row is cramped for adults and using it leaves limited room for cargo. The Q9 is intended to address those shortcomings with a larger body and more space behind the second row. The vehicles share underpinnings, according to the report, but the Q9 is positioned as a distinct, larger model rather than simply a replacement for the Q7.
The Q9 and SQ9 will compete with the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7, both already established in the large luxury SUV class. The Drive characterizes Audi’s pricing as competitive and places the Q9 between those rivals, but the supplied material does not include a full trim-by-trim price comparison. Its test vehicles had sport bucket seats and power-operated second-row captain’s chairs, so the review cautions that its packaging impressions may not apply to every configuration.
“The third row is adult-friendly.”
— The Drive, in its first-drive review
Trim Details and Hybrid Plans
The available source does not provide the Q9’s complete specifications, including official towing ratings, fuel-economy figures, or a detailed breakdown of engine output and performance. It also does not give a specific dealership arrival date or full pricing for the range of trims and options. The review’s cargo figure with the third row folded is stated as a range of 43.8 to 60 cubic feet, but the excerpt does not explain which configurations produce each number.
The Drive says there is no hybrid model in sight. That describes the lineup covered by the report; it does not confirm whether Audi could add an electrified version later. The review also says its tested vehicles were equipped with captain’s chairs and sport bucket seats, leaving the final assessment of other seating configurations open.
Dealer Arrival and Full Specifications
The next developments are the Q9 and SQ9’s arrival at dealerships and publication of complete model specifications, including towing, fuel economy, standard equipment and pricing across trims. Those details will help buyers compare the Audi with similarly equipped GLS and X7 models. The Drive’s account is an initial first-drive assessment, not a full test of every version; real-world evaluations across configurations could clarify how the seating, cargo capacity and optional features work for different families.
Key Questions
How much will the 2027 Audi Q9 cost?
The Drive lists a starting price of $89,095, including a $1,395 destination charge. The report lists the SQ9 at $119,395.
How many people can the Q9 seat?
The Q9 has three rows. The Drive’s reviewer described the third row as suitable for adults, but the source does not specify seating capacity for every configuration.
What engines are available in the Q9 and SQ9?
The report says the Q9 has a turbocharged V6 and the SQ9 a V8. It does not include output figures or detailed performance specifications.
Is there a hybrid 2027 Audi Q9?
The Drive’s review says no hybrid model is in sight for the lineup it covers. It does not rule out a possible future electrified version.
How does Q9 cargo space compare with the GLS and X7?
The review reports 19.3 cubic feet behind all three rows, 1.9 cubic feet more than the GLS and 6.5 more than the X7. With the third row folded, it gives a range of 43.8 to 60 cubic feet without explaining the variation.
Source: thedrive.com
