Audi SQ9 Could Become the Brand's New Flagship Performance SUV
Coming Soon: Audi Q9
As if Audi couldn't add more crossovers to its lineup, the company will soon be adding the Q9 to the range. It's been confirmed by the company, and it's only a matter of time before its world premiere. Based on a previous report, it's primarily aimed at the North American market, as it's set to debut in the U.S.
The exact launch date is yet to be determined, but Audi did say it'll be sometime this year. It's likely that it'll be shown towards the end of 2026, and it'll be for the 2027 model year. The Q9 is also touted as the spiritual successor to the A8, since no direct replacement has been made for the sedan for the time being.
Performance Model Expected
The Q9 will be up against the likes of the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, so expect it to be far larger than the already relatively sizable Q7. That's pretty much a given with its name, but, as it turns out, Audi might have another version in store down the line.
Audi filed the trademark for the name SQ9 just a few weeks ago. The file was dated on April 21, 2026, in the Madrid office of the World Intellectual Property Organization. If the company intends to use the name, it's safe to say that it'll be for a high-performance version of the upcoming crossover.
Is it Really Needed?
Performance crossovers are pretty much normal these days. Every luxury automaker does it, and there's no shortage of these in Audi's own stable. Currently, there's the SQ5, SQ7, SQ8, and RSQ8, but is there a need for a large, three-row performance crossover? The logical answer is no, but to say there's no market for it would be foolish for any luxury brand to dismiss.
Should Audi actually build the SQ9, it already faces pretty serious competition. Alpina seems set to build a new-generation XB7 based on the second-generation BMW X7. There's also Mercedes-Benz with the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, and let's not forget America's hat into the ring in the form of the Cadillac Escalade-V.
Yes, these models are niches, but they have proven to be strong sellers for their respective brands. For example, the Alpina XB7 often saw demand that outstripped supply, Cadillac brings in a lot of bucks with the Escalade-V, and Mercedes shifts a good chunk of GLS 63s every year. With that in mind, Audi should just go right ahead and build it as soon as possible. Besides, Porsche will also be using the Q9's platform for its own large three-row SUV, and you can bet it'll get hot versions as well.
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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM.