Audi’s new ‘Murica-spec SUV has powered doors and cupholders so big you can fit Stanley cups in

► New Audi Q9 revealed ► Three-row SUV is new flagship ► Has massive cupholders and powered doors

Audi has officially unveiled its new Q9 in New York City. It’s an enormous new flagship SUV that’s largely designed to cater to the American market, though it will be sold globally.

The new three-row family SUV has seemingly been created with the average American in mind, prioritising external size, space inside and, of course, cupholder size. This thing is B I G; the Q9 is 5.3 metres in length, making it longer than a Range Rover, and 2.2 metres wide.

Its look is a general evolution of the new Q7 SUV as well as other recent Audis, with a grille so big it will surely be able to inhale smaller hatchbacks. Audi’s lighting technology includes curved OLED lighting at the rear, as well as the same indicators that project onto the road at night to alert pedestrians.

Inside, Audi is clearly listening to customer feedback and has offered a range of trims that aren’t entirely gloss black; satin and wood-like materials can be had on the centre console, for example.

The bigger news, though, is the space and flexibility of the interior. The new Q9 is available with seven seats as standard, or six via an option box tick. Go for the latter option and all six seats are partially powered and even come with their own lighting elements in the shoulder area. Audi is also keen to point out that the cupholders in the first and second row are so large they can fit enormous Stanley cups inside.

You don’t need to expend any effort getting in, either, as Audi also offers powered doors on the Q9. As well as being able to operate them via the MyAudi app, a simple touch of the door handle will open them.

A sole V6 diesel engine will initially be offered in Europe, generating 295bhp and utilising Audi’s ‘MHEV Plus’ technology for engine-off coasting and a few miles of e-power in traffic. Air suspension is standard, and the Q9 can be had with rear-wheel steering too.

While Audi has definitely framed the Q9 to appeal to Americans, though, it will be available in other markets including Europe. Audi says the Q9 will be available to order in Germany by the end of July, and it’ll come to the UK towards the end of 2026 – likely for a price north of £100,000.