Audi Q9 priced from $194,990
Words: Richard Edwards
Audi’s new flagship SUV, the Q9, will cost $194,990 plus on-road costs in New Zealand.
The Q9 is the largest model Audi has made. It comes here in a single S line specification with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel and seven seats as standard. Orders are open now and first deliveries are due from late February 2027.
“The Audi Q9 represents the pinnacle of the Audi SUV range,” says Greg Leet, general manager of Audi New Zealand. “It has been designed for customers who value exceptional comfort, advanced technology and effortless capability in equal measure.”
Diesel V6 power
The 3.0-litre V6 TDI makes 220kW and 630Nm and uses Audi’s MHEV plus mild hybrid system. It drives all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. Audi quotes 0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds using launch control and a top speed of 240km/h.
Braked towing capacity is 3500kg, and an electrically swivelling tow bar is standard. Audi hasn’t yet published New Zealand fuel consumption figures.
Size
The Q9 is 5309mm long on a 3138mm wheelbase, 2010mm wide excluding mirrors and 1794mm tall. Boot space is 850 litres behind the second row and 2308 litres with the second row folded.
Seven seats are standard. A six-seat layout with two second-row captain chairs is a $3000 option.
Standard equipment
The Q9 rides on 22-inch alloy wheels with adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering. It has Digital Matrix LED headlights and a panoramic glass roof that can switch from clear to opaque, plus acoustic glazing and electric sunblinds for the rear side windows.
The front sports seats are trimmed in Fine Nappa leather and have heating, ventilation, massage and pneumatically adjustable bolsters. Second-row seats are heated, and there is five-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel and power-closing doors.
Inside there is a digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, a separate screen for the front passenger and a Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system. A digital key is included.
The driver assistance list includes adaptive cruise control with lane guidance, remote park assist, 3D and 360-degree cameras, front and rear emergency braking, front and rear cross-traffic alert, exit warning and swerve assist.
New lighting tech
The Q9 is the first Audi with curved digital OLED tail lights. They have 512 segments, and owners can choose between several lighting signatures. The lights can also show warning symbols to traffic behind.
Projection turn signals are also standard. At night they project an indicator symbol onto the road beside the car, in time with the indicators.
Options
Options include a Bang & Olufsen 4D sound system ($3000), automatic doors ($4000), a black exterior package ($3500) and Alopias blue or Agave green paint ($2500). Two Audi exclusive interior design packages cost $13,000 each.
The Q9 comes with a five-year/150,000km warranty, five years of roadside assistance and a three-year motoring plan.
