Germany fights back against big Chinese luxury SUVs such as 2026 Zeekr 9X with new Audi Q9 three-row flagship

Audi has finally revealed some details of its incoming Q9 flagship three-row large SUV.

The Q9 is an all-new nameplate for Audi, which is expected to fight back against the new wave of more than five-meter long luxury SUVs from Chinese automakers Zeekr, BYD and GWM.

Audi says its new large SUV will feature either six- or seven-seat interior layouts, with “premium materials, variable seating with individual electric seats in the second row, and automatic doors”, among other features.

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The brand said the Q9 aims for “business-class comfort” when chosen in six-seat format, and features a 1.5 square meter panoramic sunroof, standard ambient interior lighting and surround sound.

There will be an extensive range of optional interior trims and colour schemes.

Practicality will include dual wireless charging pads up front, a new rail system in the boot for securing cargo “in three dimensions” and every variant will include a roof rack as standard.

Elsewhere other familiar themes can be seen, with the Q9 featuring a similar steering wheel and tri-screen dash layout as the Q6. The centre console also features a handful of driving function shortcut buttons, although it appears climate and multimedia functions will continue to be controlled primarily via the central touchscreen.

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The Q9 will be the next Audi to ride on the brand’s new PPC platform and will rival the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS in Europe. Elsewhere in the world it will also have to face a rising tide of five-meter-long three row SUVs from China such as the Zeekr 9X, Wey V9X and BYD Sealion 08.

The new flagship will be fully revealed in July and will form part of a new product offensive from Audi, which will include a re-booted A2 e-tron crossover, next-generation Q7, facelifted Q4 e-tron and the RS5.

European media has been speculating the Q9 will continue to offer the brand’s signature 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, based on Audi specifically calling out the model’s importance to the US and the Middle East, both less emissions-sensitive markets.

2026 Audi Q9

In the case of the SQ8, this powertrain produces 373kW/770Nm. Stay tuned for more on the Q9 and its chances for the Australian market. If it does arrive, expect pricing to be north of the Q8’s current $144,400 entry price.