Audi has released official interior images of its upcoming Q9, a three-row full-size SUV set to reach US dealers in summer 2026 at an estimated $90,000. The Q9 slots above the Q7 and effectively takes over the flagship role from the discontinued A8 sedan — a deliberate shift toward large SUVs in markets where that body style dominates. Audi developed the Q9 primarily for the US, China, and the Middle East.
Rear-seat focus
The cabin images make clear where Audi put its energy: the back row. In six-seat configuration, rear passengers get individual power-adjustable chairs with heating and ventilation, Nappa leather, and alpaca fiber trim accents — materials that typically show up in ultra-luxury sedans, not family haulers.
Audi Q9 interior preview ahead of July 2026 debut.
A 1.5-square-meter electrochromic sunroof (glass that tints electronically without a physical shade) spans much of the roofline. Power-operated doors — previously reserved for vehicles like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan or BMW i7 — are also confirmed. That combination pushes the Q9's cabin experience closer to a luxury coach than a traditional SUV.
The front seats aren't an afterthought either. Three separate screens fill the dashboard: an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver, a 14.5-inch center display, and a 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger — all consistent with the layout Audi has rolled out across its newer lineup.
Audi Q9 three-screen dashboard layout.
Powertrain and pricing
At launch, the Q9 runs a 3.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine paired with a mild-hybrid system. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant — reportedly producing around 400 hp with an estimated 50–60 miles of EV range on the EU's WLTP test standard — is expected to follow after the initial rollout, per Autocar UK.
Audi's CEO cited the ~$90,000 figure in conversations with dealers and press; no official MSRP has been set. Given pre-order interest, dealer markup is a realistic expectation at launch. A full public debut is scheduled for July 2026.
What it's up against
At that price, the Q9 faces the BMW X7 (from ~$80,000), Mercedes GLS (from ~$82,000), Cadillac Escalade (~$82,000), and Lincoln Navigator (~$79,000) — per Automotive News. Jeep Wagoneer occupies the lower end of the bracket around $60,000. None of the direct German competitors offer power doors or electrochromic glass at base trim, which could give the Q9 a spec-sheet edge when buyers cross-shop at the dealership.
Year-end deliveries are the current target, with broader global availability — including the UK at around £100,000 — rolling out in the second half of 2026.
