This is the biggest Audi ever made, in more ways than one – Mat Watson tests the new Audi Q9
Car changing is a big deal
Audi has finally launched a competitor to the BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS. The new Q9 is a £100,000 seven-seater with loads of tech and some impressive stats.
This is the new Audi Q9, and it breaks quite a few size records. It’s the widest, tallest and longest Audi ever made. It also has the biggest cupholders, opening sunroof, rear doors and grille in the brand’s history.
It’s a statement vehicle; one which has to make an impact. I’ve spent a day poking around the new Audi Q9 to see what’s what.
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New Audi Q9 design
The new Audi Q9 may look similar to the smaller Q7 when you see it in pictures, but there are plenty of styling details which make it look much more expensive.
You get a massive, slatted grille up front which is illuminated, or on the sporty SQ9 you get a honeycomb effect.
Moving down the side, the Q9 is the same length as a Cadillac Escalade. You can tell that this car is designed primarily for the American market. The bodywork at the rear is also completely smooth, unlike the Q7 which has a step in the tailgate.
This is more expensive to produce, as is the flush-fitting Audi badge, but it makes the car look more luxurious and upmarket.
If you go for the SQ9 then you get wider rear arches, bigger alloy wheels and quad tailpipes. It’s the one I’d choose, but both cars look suitably posh.
The lighting tech is worth mentioning as well, because this is where Audi is leading the game right now. The OLED headlights and taillights can be customised from the central screen, and the rear lamps can flash up warning symbols if someone gets too close.
My personal favourite feature though is the indicators, because they also project arrows onto the ground to let other drivers know which way you’re going. It’s really cool.
New Audi Q9 interior and technology
I’ll tell you what else is posh: the Q9’s interior. Audi has stripped out most of the shiny black plastic, and in its place you’ll find wood, leather and soft-touch plastic. The materials feel lovely, and it all feels pretty solid as well – although some areas do feel a tad hollow if you tap them.
I do think this interior is a bit over-screened though. In addition to the 14.5-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, there’s also a 12.3-inch passenger screen. I don’t think anyone actually uses these, and they make the dashboard look a bit cluttered.
The central screen is really easy to use and super-responsive. The graphics are sharp as well, although it is annoying that you have to control the direction of the air vents through it. I’m also not a huge fan of the massive bezel around the displays.
On the whole, this is a really nicely-made interior. I reckon it looks more modern than a BMW X7 inside, but it’s not quite as solidly built.
New Audi Q9 space and practicality
As nice as it is in the front of the Audi Q9, the rear seats are where you really want to be.
The car I’m testing has two separate captain’s chairs in the back, and they’re the same as the ones in the front of the car. That means they’re super-comfortable, and you can recline them as well. You don’t even have to lean out to close the door. Just tap a button, and it’ll shut automatically.
There is acres of space in the middle row, and loads of glass so it feels light and airy. Things aren’t quite as posh in the third row though, because legroom is a bit tight. A BMW X7 is better for carrying seven.
When it comes to the boot, the Audi Q9 projects a little arrow onto the floor telling you where to waggle your foot for the hands-free tailgate. That’s clever, and once you’re in there’s a whopping 832 litres of space with the third row folded down. That’s 80 litres more than the X7 has to offer.
New Audi Q9 engines and performance
The engine I’m most excited about is the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 in the SQ9. It has a whopping 590hp and 800Nm of torque, and 0-60mph takes just 3.6 seconds. That’s almost three quarters of a second quicker than a Range Rover SV, and about the same as the Audi RS3 hot hatchback.
However, there’s a problem. Thanks to some boring EU emissions rules, we won’t be getting this engine in Europe. Only the Americans will be able to enjoy it, and we’ll only get the standard version with a 2.9-litre V6 diesel engine. Boo.
It has a more modest 299hp, and will do 0-60mph in around 8.0 seconds.
New Audi Q9 prices and verdict
The new Audi Q9 will go on sale later this year, with prices starting from £100,000. That makes it around £7,000 more expensive than a BMW X7, and it’s exactly the same price as a Mercedes GLS.
If you fancy a big, posh, seven-seater SUV, and you can’t wait for the new Audi Q9, you can save up to £18,000 on a new BMW X7 through Carwow right now.
But if you can hold out, I reckon the Q9 is worth waiting for. I can’t wait to drive it so I can deliver my full review on this car.
Car change? Carwow!
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