2027 Audi Q9 Revealed Ahead of UAE Launch to Rival BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS

Audi has unveiled the all-new 2027 Audi Q9, its first full-size SUV and the largest production model in the company’s history. Revealed in Ingolstadt on 29 July 2026, the three-row flagship will sit above the Q7. Audi’s UAE and Saudi Arabian websites say it is due in the first quarter of 2027.

The Q9 gives Audi a direct answer to the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, two established choices for Gulf buyers seeking seven-seat space, luxury-car comfort and strong road presence.

Audi’s largest SUV fills the gap above the Q7

At 5.31 metres long, 2.21 metres wide and 1.81 metres tall, the Q9 is considerably larger than the Q7. Its 3.14-metre wheelbase is intended to provide usable space across all three rows.

The confirmed specifications establish the Q9 as a full-size flagship:

• The Q9 has seven seats as standard, while a six-seat configuration replaces the middle bench with two electrically adjustable individual chairs. In the seven-seat version, all three second-row positions can accommodate child seats.
• Adaptive air suspension is standard and offers 90mm of total height adjustment. Available all-wheel steering can turn the rear wheels by up to five degrees, improving low-speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability.
• Wheels range up to 23 inches, while regional product pages quote maximum luggage capacity of 2,308 litres. A towing capacity of up to 3,500kg is also listed for suitably equipped cars.

V6 mild-hybrid power leads the launch range

European launch cars use a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with MHEV plus mild-hybrid assistance. The main 220kW version produces 299PS and 630Nm, paired with an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox and permanent quattro all-wheel drive.

Audi’s regional sites describe V6 engines with MHEV plus technology and list up to 220kW, together with a 0-100km/h time of 6.5 seconds. However, they do not yet identify the Gulf engine’s fuel type or provide a complete local powertrain range, so European and North American specifications should not be treated as confirmation for GCC cars.

Q9 targets the heart of the full-size luxury SUV market

The Q9’s size, three-row layout and flagship position place it directly against the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. The Range Rover and Cadillac Escalade may also enter the discussion for UAE buyers, although each has a different emphasis.

Audi’s pitch centres on space, technology and road-focused comfort. This is a combustion-engine model rather than an EV, so no battery capacity or electric range applies to the version announced.

Business-class cabin becomes the Q9’s central selling point

Audi has placed greater emphasis on rear-seat comfort than in its existing SUVs. The six-seat configuration prioritises second-row space, while the seven-seat version provides greater flexibility for families.

Several cabin features underline that flagship positioning:

• The dashboard combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument display with a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, while a separate 12.3-inch passenger screen is standard. Android Automotive OS supports applications through Audi’s integrated store.
• Automatic doors are offered on an Audi for the first time, with sensors designed to stop them if an obstacle or approaching road user is detected. The panoramic roof measures more than 1.5 square metres and can be specified with switchable opaque sections.
• An available Bang & Olufsen system uses 22 speakers and seat actuators to create 4D sound. Five-zone climate control, massage and ventilation functions, and electrically folding third-row backrests are also available.

What UAE and GCC buyers know about the 2027 Audi Q9 launch

The Q9 is built in Bratislava, Slovakia. German orders opened at the end of July 2026, with deliveries scheduled from November and a starting price of €108,400 for the 220kW TDI. That figure does not establish a Gulf retail price.

The confirmed and outstanding regional points are:

• Audi Dubai and Audi Saudi Arabia say the all-new Q9 is coming in the first quarter of 2027 and are accepting enquiries. Audi Abu Dhabi and Bahrain also have dedicated Q9 pages, while Audi Qatar lists the model in its range.
• UAE and GCC prices, trim levels, final engine choices and standard equipment have not been announced. Market-specific details will be needed before meaningful value comparisons can be made with the X7 and GLS.
• Audi’s hands-free adaptive driving function will initially operate only on approved roads in Germany, the United States and Canada. Gulf availability has not been confirmed, so regional cars may differ in driver-assistance capability.

Audi’s Gulf flagship contest is about to widen

For Gulf buyers, the Q9 means Audi will finally offer a model in the same size and luxury bracket as the X7 and GLS. Its flexible seating, standard air suspension and large cabin make the proposition clear, but the decisive details will be local engines, equipment and price.

With first-quarter 2027 arrivals confirmed for the UAE and Saudi Arabia, those remaining specifications will determine whether the 2027 Audi Q9 can turn its considerable size and technology into a serious regional challenge.