Published by the carmotocar team
Stepping Up to Audi’s New Pinnacle
When automotive giants decide to redefine what a flagship vehicle can be, the results are rarely understated. For years, luxury sedan loyalists looked to traditional three-box flagships to satisfy their cravings for supreme comfort, peerless engineering, and uncompromised road presence. However, the automotive landscape has shifted dramatically, and today's elite buyers demand elevation in every sense of the word—higher seating positions, greater versatility, and uncompromising spatial grandeur. Enter the brand-new Audi Q9 range, and sitting proudly at the absolute summit of that lineup, the high-performance SQ9.
Our first encounter with this colossal machine took place against the dramatic backdrop of Utah's desert landscapes, where Mother Nature decided to test both our patience and the vehicle's mettle with torrential rain, thunder, and lightning. Approaching the SQ9 for the first time immediately establishes its gravitational pull. As a small touch of futuristic theater, pressing and holding the button on the key fob commands the doors to open automatically, welcoming occupants into a sanctuary of modern craftsmanship before a single wheel has even turned. Once settled inside, a simple button press seals the cabin tight, shutting out the elements and isolating you from the outside world.
The Q9 family offers a diverse array of powertrains designed to suit various global markets and buyer preferences, ranging from efficient V6 petrol and diesel units to sophisticated plug-in hybrids. Yet, for enthusiasts who measure automotive passion in cylinders, turbos, and exhaust notes, the SQ9 is the undisputed crown jewel. Beneath its sculpted hood lies a formidable 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that churns out an astounding 600 horsepower and 800 Newton-meters of torque. Power is channeled to all four corners via a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox, promising performance figures that belie the vehicle's substantial physical footprint.
Unleashing the V8 Beast: Performance and Handling Dynamics
To understand what a 600-horsepower luxury leviathan can truly achieve, we took the SQ9 out for rigorous testing. Engaging dynamic mode, stiffening the stability control to sport, left-foot braking, and flooring the throttle engages launch control. However, our initial runs proved slightly quirky. In unfavorable wet conditions, the vehicle’s intelligent stability control software acted with extreme caution, cutting power instantly at the slightest hint of potential wheel slip. While initial takeoff occasionally felt hesitant as the electronic brain safeguarded traction on slick asphalt, once the system hooked up properly, the acceleration was breathtaking. Charging from zero to sixty miles per hour in rapid fashion for a vehicle of this magnitude highlights just how much engineering muscle Audi has packed beneath the sheet metal.
Where the SQ9 truly shines with breathtaking consistency, however, is not in straight-line acceleration off a wet line, but in its ability to shed momentum. Conducting emergency brake tests in pouring rain typically induces anxiety, with standard expectations hovering around acceptable stopping distances. Yet, the SQ9 astonished our testing crew by hauling itself to a dead stop from high speeds in remarkably short distances on wet pavement. The braking hardware is nothing short of phenomenal—consistently biting hard and inspiring absolute confidence. While Audi’s launch control software could benefit from fine-tuning to better manage wet-weather traction without overly aggressive power cuts, the braking capability alone proves that active safety and stopping power have been engineered to world-class standards.
On the open road, the SQ9 balances two distinct personalities. Equipped with uprated sport suspension—featuring specialized air springs, stiffer dampers, and beefier anti-roll bars—the vehicle can be tailored to your driving mood. While European specifications often lean toward firmer sporting setups, North American models offer the flexibility to deselect the aggressive sport suspension in favor of the standard Q9's comfort-oriented setup. For long-distance cruising and everyday driving comfort, the comfort-oriented air suspension is an absolute revelation. It effortlessly swallows road imperfections, ironing out bumps and ruts while maintaining a serene cabin environment. When the mood strikes for spirited driving through winding canyon passes, switching over to dynamic or individual modes firms up the damping, reducing body roll and keeping the massive SUV remarkably flat through directional changes.
Furthermore, maneuvering such a large vehicle in tight spaces is made effortless thanks to standard rear-axle steering. The rear wheels can turn by up to five degrees, effectively shrinking the turning circle and rendering parking lots and narrow village lanes far less intimidating than their dimensions suggest.
Exterior Presence: Sculpted Architecture and Imposing Proportions
While mechanical prowess is vital, a flagship SUV must also make an unforgettable visual statement the moment it rolls down the boulevard. Based loosely on the architecture of the Q7, the Q9 transcends its sibling by stretching significantly in every dimension. Standing taller and featuring a far more aggressive, commanding face, the SQ9 exudes unadulterated road presence. The front fascia is dominated by intricate daytime running light signatures, allowing owners to customize their lighting patterns, while the main LED projector units are neatly integrated lower down in the bumper.
Viewing the vehicle in profile reveals its staggering length—measuring an immense 5.3 meters end-to-end, making it roughly as long as a long-wheelbase Audi A8 executive sedan. The wheelbase itself stretches some 13 centimeters longer than that of a Q7, unlocking cavernous interior volume. To fill those massive wheel arches, Audi has fitted striking 23-inch alloy wheels, complemented by satin door caps and gleaming chrome window surrounds and roof rails.
Moving around to the rear, Audi has resisted the industry-wide temptation of fake exhaust trims. The SQ9 proudly features four genuine, functioning exhaust tailpipes that emit a rich, deep V8 burble when pushed. Above the exhaust outlets lies one of the most distinctive design innovations on the exterior: a wraparound OLED taillight configuration. Featuring curved OLED elements that bend smoothly around the corners of the bodywork, this lighting signature is entirely unique to the Q9 range, ensuring that motorists following behind will instantly recognize Audi’s new flagship from miles away.
Inside the Sanctuary: Cockpit Technology and Material Mastery
Opening the doors of the SQ9 reveals an interior that redefines luxury standards. Stepping inside during a chilly, rainy desert evening, the cabin immediately cocoons its occupants in warmth and high-end materials. The dashboard is anchored by the obligatory array of high-definition digital displays, including a dedicated passenger-side screen provided as standard equipment. While passenger screens are becoming more common in ultra-luxury segments, Audi’s execution stands out for its pin-sharp definition, showcasing thematic animations—such as a collection of Q-series vehicles set against a New York skyline backdrop.
The digital instrument cluster situated directly ahead of the driver remains crisp, offering full widescreen navigation mapping right in the driver's line of sight. However, ergonomics represent a mixed bag. While Audi's steering wheel-mounted clusters for drive select, wipers, and indicators are logically grouped and easy to master, the decision to eliminate physical climate control buttons in favor of touchscreen menus requires driver distraction that could easily be avoided with traditional tactile dials. Similarly, the capacitive touch panels on the center console lack the expensive tactile feedback of individual physical switches, serving as an evident cost-saving measure in an otherwise ultra-premium environment.
Material quality, fortunately, is peerless. Soft-touch leather extends across the dashboard and door panels, meeting exquisite metallic finishes on the window switches and air vents. The steering wheel, featuring a subtle hexagonal geometry and perforated leather grips, feels substantial and reassuring in the hands. Storage solutions have been thoughtfully integrated throughout the front cabin; covered cup holders keep clutter out of sight, while the wireless smartphone charging pad utilizes a clever magnetic locking mechanism that secures your mobile device firmly in place even during spirited driving. Above head height, a frameless rearview mirror, integrated dashcam ports, and an expansive panoramic sunroof complete an environment that feels every bit as luxurious as a six-figure flagship should.
Unrivaled Accommodation: Second-Row Captain's Chairs
If the front cockpit is impressive, the second row is where the SQ9 truly justifies its flagship status. Eschewing a standard three-person bench seat, our test vehicle featured the luxurious six-seater configuration inspired by Porsche’s executive layout, housing two individual captain’s chairs in the middle row.
Sitting in the middle row feels akin to traveling in a private first-class airline cabin. Headroom and legroom are exceptionally generous, allowing passengers to stretch out their legs fully and recline their seats into a deeply relaxed posture. The level of amenities provided for rear passengers is staggering: dedicated climate control panels, heated seats, multiple USB-C charging ports, built-in storage cubbies, and motorized window blinds that provide complete privacy. A particularly clever touch is the removable center armrest between the captain's chairs, which can be easily detached and lifted out to create an unobstructed pathway for children or passengers to walk straight through to the rearmost third row.
Third-Row Practicality and Cargo Versatility
Historically, third-row seating in large SUVs has often been treated as an afterthought—cramped quarters reserved exclusively for small children on short trips. The Q9, however, approaches the third row with genuine engineering seriousness. Access is simplified via the aforementioned middle-row pass-through or by folding and sliding the captain's chairs forward with effortless electronic controls.
Once seated in the rearmost row, occupants benefit from surprisingly adequate knee room and impressive headroom, aided by large rearmost side windows that prevent any feeling of claustrophobia. While under-thigh support is inevitably limited due to the lower seat mounting position—a standard compromise in multi-row vehicles—the presence of dedicated cup holders, storage trays, USB-C charging ports, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, and even heated seats in the very back row elevates passenger comfort to unprecedented heights.
When it comes to luggage and cargo capacity, the Q9 easily outclasses its Q7 predecessor. With all three rows of seats upright, the boot provides 280 liters of usable space—a noticeable improvement over the Q7's 210 liters. The loading lip is flush, making it effortless to slide heavy items in and out, while air suspension controls mounted directly inside the boot allow you to lower or raise the vehicle's ride height by up to nine centimeters to ease loading operations. Folding the rear seats flat expands total storage volume to an impressive 850 liters. Clever touches such as sliding floor rails, anchor hooks, and a 12-volt power socket ensure that luggage stays secure during long road trips.
Illuminating Innovation: Lighting Shows and Safety Tech
Audi has long been a pioneer in automotive lighting technology, and the SQ9 pushes those boundaries further with exterior and interior lighting choreography. Approaching the car in the dark reveals sophisticated proximity sensors that animate the exterior lights if a pedestrian, cyclist, or vehicle approaches too closely. Furthermore, when occupants prepare to exit the vehicle, an active door-opening warning system detects approaching traffic alongside the car, flashing hazard warning triangles and exterior indicators to prevent dangerous door-strike accidents.
For markets where permitted, illuminated front grilles and glowing brand logos add a striking nighttime signature. Upon opening the doors, instead of basic puddle lamps, high-definition projectors cast animated carpet lighting onto the ground, rolling out welcoming light signatures for both front and rear passengers. Step inside, and the cabin transforms into a lounge via comprehensive ambient lighting suites that trace the contours of the dashboard, door cards, seat inserts, and even intricate patterns woven into the headlining. Drivers can cycle through a vibrant palette of colors—from soothing blues and greens to regal purples and fiery reds—customizing the cabin atmosphere to suit their exact mood.
Market Positioning, Pricing, and Used Alternatives
Luxury of this caliber commands a serious financial commitment. The standard Audi Q9 starts at around £100,000, while the high-performance SQ9 pushes closer to £130,000. Interestingly, that £130,000 price point places the brand-new SQ9 in direct comparison with slightly older high-performance flagships already populating the secondary market. For instance, a low-mileage Audi RSQ8 can often be found on platforms like CarWow for significantly less than a brand-new Q9, offering immense performance for budget-conscious luxury buyers.
However, purchasing pre-owned luxury vehicles always carries inherent risks regarding vehicle history, hidden accident damage, or odometer tampering. To mitigate these risks, automotive experts strongly recommend utilizing comprehensive vehicle history verification services like CarVertical. A proper history check can uncover hidden discrepancies—such as rolled-back mileages or unrecorded insurance write-offs—ensuring that your investment in high-end motoring remains secure.
Final Verdict
The new Audi SQ9 is an engineering triumph that successfully blends the imposing presence of a heavy-duty luxury SUV with the refined interior craftsmanship of an executive limousine. Its 600-horsepower V8 engine delivers effortless power, its braking performance is astonishingly assured, and its cabin technology, seating comfort, and cargo versatility set a new benchmark for the brand.
While enthusiasts seeking maximum thrills and a firmer edge will appreciate the sport suspension options, the vast majority of buyers will find that the comfort-oriented air suspension setup better matches the relaxed, wafting character of such a grand machine. If you are shopping in the upper echelons of the luxury SUV market, the SQ9 deserves a prominent spot on your shortlist. For those looking to optimize their investment further, standard Q9 models or even the slightly smaller Q7 remain exceptional alternatives that deliver ninety percent of the experience for a more modest price tag.
