12 hours ago
9
Following a first look at the interior, Audi Australia has shown interest in the brand's latest large SUV, the Q9, making its way Down Under.
Family Cars
The Audi Q9 flagship SUV – the largest high-riding model the company has ever built – is likely to come to Australia as the most family-friendly vehicle in the brand's range.
“We would certainly be looking at a product like [the Q9]. Given the consumer trends with SUVs, having an upper large segment SUV would obviously speak to the Australian consumer, says Audi Australia’s Head of Product, Matthew Dale.
“It's under evaluation at this point.”
Full specifications are yet to be released, but the Q9 will likely be built on the larger Volkswagen Group Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture – the same as the new Q7 it is being developed alongside.
It is speculated that both the new Q7 and Q9 will be powered by four- and six-cylinder petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid powertrains, although V8 power could make its way onto the flagship model, similar to the current SQ7.
Our first look at the interior shows a choice of six or seven seats, panoramic sunroof, Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with 4D sound, and automatic doors all round.
The new 'no-touch' door function can be operated through either the panoramic infotainment screen, myAudi app, the key, along with suggestions they can be programmed to open via the brake pedal and seatbelt buckles.
The system will act similarly to what is found on the Zeekr 7X and Lexus’ e-Latch to detect approaching cyclists and passing road users.
Further interior highlights include the use of a range of materials, including wool such as alpaca fibre, Dinamica microfibre, leather, and leatherette blends, along with nappa leather.
This material will likely dress the massaging, heated, ventilated, and electrically adjustable front row, along with the partially power-adjustable second and third row.
The Q9 will also be available for international markets as a six-seater, with the second-row middle seat removed, or a seven-seater.
Matthew Dale further mentioned the need for a vehicle of this size, citing the marketing effects a halo car has on the range.
“With the SUV trend in Australia, we're seeing quite a popular segment where people want upper segment luxury, space, versatility, convenience, and a luxury product that speaks to the brand as well.”
“Traditionally, what we call the D segment, which is the upper large segment, was our technological spearhead, so we could put new technologies in those vehicles and then over the years drip feed those down the range.”
The brand has seen increasing interest in the current brand-topping Q8 increase over the past few years, seeing 514 sales in 2025 over 445 in 2024.
Although not the highest selling model in the brand’s lineup, the small SUV Q3 is still the most popular model at 4206 sales in 2025, despite being six years old at the time.
More information on the new six/seven-seat large SUV will be released closer to the model’s world premiere around Q3 2026.
Family Cars Guide
Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
