Audi Q9 reportedly arriving in 2026 as the brand’s first full-size three-row SUV

Audi is preparing to move into true full-size territory. According to a report from German outlet Automobilwoche, development chief Geoffrey Bouquot has indicated that a new flagship SUV—expected to wear the Q9 badge—will debut next year, alongside the next generation of the Q7. If it reaches production as planned, the Q9 would become Audi’s first bona fide full-size SUV with three rows of seating.

Positioned above Q7 to face big-league rivals
The Q9 is being developed to give Audi a direct answer to established full-size luxury players such as the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Lexus LX. While the current Q7 stretches toward the upper end of the segment, the Q9 is intended to go a step further in size and presence, creating a clearer flagship slot at the top of Audi’s SUV lineup.

Timing: a debut penciled in for next year
Bouquot’s comments suggest a 2026 reveal for both the Q9 and the next-gen Q7. Audi hasn’t issued a formal announcement with detailed specs, but the timeline points to a staged introduction that brings the two three-row models to market in close succession.

Underpinnings: PPC platform with combustion and hybrid tech
Both SUVs are expected to ride on Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. As the name implies, PPC is designed around internal-combustion engines while accommodating electrification. That means the Q9 should launch with conventional gasoline or diesel options depending on market, likely augmented by hybrid assistance—mirroring Audi’s broader strategy of pairing familiar powertrains with efficiency-boosting technology.

Design: camo cars hint at Audi’s latest look
Although Audi hasn’t shown the Q9 without disguise, camouflaged prototypes have been photographed testing, including laps of the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Even through the wrap, the SUV appears to preview Audi’s current design language, with an updated grille treatment and fresh lighting signatures. Exact exterior and interior dimensions remain under wraps, but the proportions suggest more cabin volume—especially in the third row and cargo area—than the Q7 can offer.

Market role: a true flagship utility
When sales begin, the Q9 is expected to serve as Audi’s most spacious and most luxurious utility vehicle, sitting above the Q7 in price and capability. Beyond the extra seating space, anticipate the usual flagship cues: higher-end materials, expanded driver-assistance features, and the latest infotainment hardware and software stack to distinguish it from smaller Q-models.

What’s still unknown
Key metrics—power outputs, battery sizes for any hybrids, towing figures, and detailed tech features—haven’t been disclosed. Pricing and exact market rollout will likely be announced closer to launch. For now, the clearest picture is that Audi intends the Q9 to broaden its SUV portfolio at the very top, pairing a larger footprint with the brand’s newest design and a mix of combustion and hybrid power.

Bottom line
If the reported timeline holds, 2026 will see Audi field two fresh three-row SUVs: an all-new Q9 to take on the full-size luxury heavyweights and a next-generation Q7 to continue as the brand’s established three-row option. Together, they signal Audi’s plan to cover more ground in the upper reaches of the SUV market—one model aimed squarely at the full-size class, and one evolving the formula that made the Q7 a staple.