Audi has offered a first detailed look inside the upcoming Q9, the brand’s first full-size SUV and what is expected to become the new flagship of its SUV range. Ahead of the model’s full debut this summer, the company is emphasizing interior space, seating flexibility, and technology-focused comfort features over outright performance metrics.
According to Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, the Q9 reflects a broader shift in how the company defines premium mobility. “Cars have long been much more than just a means of transportation; they are mobile living spaces for our customers,” said Döllner while discussing the model’s focus on in-car experience and comfort.
The Q9 will be offered in both six- and seven-seat configurations. The optional six-seat layout replaces the second-row bench with two electrically adjustable captain’s chairs featuring ventilation, while the seven-seat version prioritizes family usability with the ability to fit child seats across the second row. Audi says all seats are partially power adjustable as standard, while the third-row seatbacks can be folded electrically.
One of the more notable additions is the introduction of fully powered doors, marking a first for an Audi production vehicle. Doors can be opened and closed through multiple methods including the key, MMI interface, myAudi app, brake pedal, or seatbelt buckle. Surround sensors monitor nearby obstacles and can stop a door from opening into cyclists, traffic, or tight parking structures.
Audi is also positioning the panoramic roof as a centerpiece of the Q9 interior. Measuring roughly 1.5 square meters, the roof features switchable transparency across nine separate glass segments. Occupants can selectively adjust opacity levels for glare reduction without requiring a traditional sunshade. Higher trim levels add integrated ambient lighting through 84 LEDs with 30 selectable colors tied into the vehicle’s broader interior lighting system.
Lighting and sound integration appear to be another major theme inside the Q9. Audi’s interaction light strip spans the width of the dashboard and works alongside an updated Bang & Olufsen 4D sound system. The setup combines headrest speakers, synchronized ambient lighting effects, and seat-mounted actuators that physically transmit bass frequencies through the seats themselves.
Material choices further reinforce Audi’s push upscale. The Q9 introduces new interior trim options including alpaca wool upholstery, Dinamica microfiber, fine Nappa leather, open-pore wood finishes, and carbon fiber weave accents. Audi also says it has reduced the use of glossy surfaces in favor of matte and textured materials intended to minimize fingerprints and reflections.
Practicality remains part of the package as well. The redesigned center console incorporates dual Qi2.2 wireless phone chargers alongside 100-watt USB-C ports, while the trunk gains a new aluminum rail system with adjustable anchors and sliding hooks for securing cargo. Audi will also include a roof rack with every Q9 equipped with standard roof rails.
Audi says the full reveal of the Q9 will take place in Summer 2026.
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