MUNICH—Audi has finally joined the ranks of full-size SUVs with its new Q9. While it’s designed primarily for Europe, the US market demands something bigger, and thus, the Q9 is here to fill that gap.
At a staggering 5,309mm long, 2,012mm wide, and 1,814mm tall, the Q9 is not the most compact SUV out there. It’s on par with the Cadillac Escalade in size but falls short by a few inches.
The Q9 uses Volkswagen Group's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, sharing its platform with other high-end Audi models like the new A5 and Q5. Unlike its more angular predecessors, the Q9 features smoother body panels and subtle creases, giving it a more station wagon-like appearance.
The Q9 will launch with one of Audi’s 2.9L V6 engines, but for those seeking more power, there's the SQ9, complete with wider wheel arches, larger alloy wheels, and a distinctive illuminated grille. Unlike the regular Q9, the SQ9 has rear-biased all-wheel drive for smoother daily driving.
