Spied: Audi Q9 Prototype Tests Its Towing Abilities

The new Q9 SUV is supposed to debut sometime this year.

Audi Q9 Spy Photos

Photo by: Motor1 Reader

Anthony Alaniz

By: Anthony Alaniz

Mar 5, at 3:00pm ET

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THE BREAKDOWN:

New spy photos capture the all-new Audi Q9 testing on public roads.
It will ride on Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion architecture.
Audi will unveil the Q9 sometime this year.

Sometime this year, Audi will unveil the three-row Q9 SUV. New spy photos have captured the upcoming model testing on public roads, and it looks close to production-ready.

The photos, sent in by a Motor1 reader, show the camouflaged SUV towing a trailer. The wrap conceals the finer styling details, and it’s unclear if the Audi Concept C will have any influence on the Q9’s design.

Audi Q9 Spy Photos

Audi Q9 Spy Photos

Photo by: Motor1 Reader

The photos make the SUV look long and low. The Q9 will ride on Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion architecture, which underpins the new A5. The PPC can accommodate gasoline, diesel, mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and range-extended powertrains.

Inside, the Q9 could have a cabin like the A5, with a dual-screen layout on the dash for the infotainment and gauges housed in a single element. Don’t expect a plethora of physical buttons. One photo appears to show the dash, but Audi had it covered.

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The Q9 will compete against the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class when it goes on sale, which isn’t expected until the 2028 model year. The Q9 will sit above the Q7 in Audi’s lineup, serving as a halo model, with a price tag to reflect its status. The 2026 Q7 starts at $63,295, including the destination, and the Q9 should exceed that by a wide margin.

Gallery: Audi Q9 Spy Photos

Audi Q9 Spy Photos

Source: Motor1 Reader

Motor1’s Take: The Q7 offers a third row, but it’s a bit smaller than the Ford Explorer, and likely doesn’t serve the needs of American families. The Q9 will give Audi a full-size offering that can compete with the Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX, and other big SUVs.

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