Audi Q9 is the brand's biggest and most premium SUV ever built
India-spec model will come with a petrol engine only
Audi has officially revealed the Q9, a model that now sits above the Q7 and Q8 as the brand's largest and most opulent SUV offering. The move places Audi in direct contention with segment heavyweights, taking aim at rivals from Britain, Germany and beyond that have long dominated the full-size luxury SUV space.
For Audi, the Q9 represents a fresh attempt to carve out a stronger foothold in a category that continues to gain traction among premium buyers in India.
Size and Design Set It Apart
Stretching beyond 5.3 metres in length, the Q9 has clearly been built with a focus on comfort rather than outright driving dynamics. Three-row seating comes as standard, while buyers can opt for a six-seat layout that includes individually adjustable captain seats in the second row, a configuration typically reserved for chauffeur-driven luxury buyers.
Elsewhere, the SUV gets powered doors, all-wheel steering, adaptive air suspension and Audi's largest panoramic sunroof fitted on any model so far. A new set of curved OLED tail lamps rounds off the exterior updates, giving the Q9 a distinct visual signature after dark.
A Cabin Built Around Technology
Step inside and the Q9 greets occupants with a triple-screen dashboard layout paired with an Android Automotive based infotainment system. The setup is backed by an extensive range of driver assistance features, reflecting how central technology has become to the modern luxury SUV experience.
Every element inside seems geared towards making long journeys feel effortless, whether for the person behind the wheel or those being driven.
What Powers the Q9
Globally, the Q9 will launch with a 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine supported by a mild-hybrid system, churning out 299PS and 630Nm of torque.
Drive goes to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox working alongside Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. The India-spec car, however, will break from this formula and arrive with a petrol engine only, a decision likely shaped by local demand patterns and existing emission norms.
How It Could Reach Indian Showrooms
Audi already builds the Q7 locally in India, which raises the possibility of the Q9 eventually following a similar path. For now, the SUV is expected to be brought in via the completely built unit route, with a shift to local assembly considered later depending on how demand shapes up. Its arrival would give Audi a stronger weapon in the ultra-premium SUV space, a segment that has shown consistent growth in the country over recent years and one where established rivals have largely had the upper hand until now.
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