Next-Gen Audi Q7, All-New Q9 to Debut in 2026
The long-rumoured Audi full-size SUV will finally debut in 2026. Called Q9, it is expected to launch in Europe later that year, but North American customers will most likely have to wait until 2027.
Confirmation of this new rival to the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS was provided by Audi's head of development, Geoffrey Bouquot, in an interview with German media outlet Automobilwoche. Audi is also gearing up to unveil a next-generation Q7 in 2026.
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Details about the two vehicles remain closely guarded, but we know that they will be based on a version of the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture already used by the new A5, Q5 and A6. The PPC is capable of accommodating a variety of powertrains, so we'll have to see if Audi dares to offer a hybrid option on this side of the Atlantic.
Inside, look for designers to adopt the Digital Stage concept from recent Audi models, which combines a digital instrument cluster with a driver-oriented centre touchscreen powered by Android Automotive. An AI-driven voice assistant will be one way to control many of the vehicle's functions.
Incidentally, the Audi Q9 will have a Porsche equivalent, the name of which remains to be determined. Slotting above the Cayenne, that SUV was initially planned as a full EV, but we learned this week that it will debut with a choice of gasoline and plug-in hybrid variants instead.
Both Audi and Porsche have decided to significantly revise their EV plans, meaning internal combustion engines will remain in their lineups for longer. The four-ring brand has pushed back its target for becoming 100-percent electric to 2033 and no longer has a firm timetable for eliminating gasoline engines.
As for the Q7, the current generation dates back to the 2017 model year in Canada. While updates were made in 2020 and again in 2025, the cabin now looks and feels pretty old.
