The interior design continues the geometric integration of the dashboard and doors, underscoring a commitment to precision. Clean lines and clearly defined surfaces create order and focus. Details like the air vents deliberately recede into the background, but their electrically adjustable, dynamic control via the user interface makes them a practical highlight.
The generous interior of the Audi Q9 inspires a sense of elegance and freedom. As standard, the model series has three rows of seats for a total of seven occupants. All seats are electrically adjustable. An optional layout with six power-adjustable seats prioritizes comfort, especially with the individual electric seats in the middle row. Audi is offering automatic doors for the first time – they provide increased comfort when entering and exiting the vehicle. A wide opening angle allows easy access. Obstacle detection automatically stops the door if a person or object is detected in its path. The Q9 comes equipped with sports seats as standard. As a result, the interior combines sportiness with a high level of comfort, creating a balanced, striking look. The sports seats in the front are available with an optional ventilation function. Also as an option, sports seats plus in the front offer heating, ventilation, and massage functions and can be adjusted via seat-mounted controls.
The door armrests and the center armrests in the front and rear can optionally be heated with surface heating plus. This feature is activated using the seat heating controls, with corresponding intensity levels.
In the seven-seat layout, the second row is designed with a 35/30/35 split, and all three seats are equipped with Isofix-compliant mounting points for child seats. Thanks to the long wheelbase of 3.14 meters, even the third row provides ample space for adults. The second-row seats are power-adjustable fore and aft, while the seatbacks fold in a 65/35 split. In the 65-percent section, a 30-percent center portion can also be folded down manually, creating a 35/30/35 split.
For easier access to the third row of seats, the outer seat in the second row slides forward electrically and tilts forward without folding down. Thanks to this function, child seats fitted there do not need to be removed. Comfort entry can be activated via the MMI or a button in the entry area of the rear door. In the seven-seat configuration of the Q9, all second- and third-row seats can be folded sequentially. The front-row seatbacks are additionally equipped with a dedicated map pocket. The various seat functions – such as folding down the third and second rows – can also be controlled from the trunk.
Panoramic sunroof offers more light and space
Beyond the seating layout, the standard panoramic sunroof plays a key role in the exceptional sense of space inside the Audi Q9. It is the largest panoramic sunroof1 ever installed in an Audi and can be opened or tilted for a pleasant breeze. Thanks to its stepless mechanism, the sunroof’s large opening can be individually adjusted for the desired level of ventilation. Switchable transparency in the laminated safety glass is available as an option. With a total of nine individually controllable segments, this makes it easy to switch between a light-flooded interior and effective glare protection. When the Q9 is parked, the roof automatically turns opaque to prevent people looking in from outside. When the car is started again, the most recent setting is restored. The standard coated laminated glass reflects infrared light and blocks more than 99.5 percent of UV radiation. A conventional blind is no longer necessary. An integrated wind deflector reduces wind noise when the roof is open. The panoramic sunroof1 is operated via a button in the roof module or the MMI. In the top trim level, the panoramic sunroof also features illumination that displays one of 30 different colors to match the selected ambient lighting when the roof is closed. A total of 84 LEDs in the panoramic sunroof attractively illuminate the vehicle interior.
Impressive interior lighting concept
All doors in the Q9 are optionally illuminated across their full surface. Ambient lighting illuminates all doors as standard. The standard contour lighting in the dashboard and doors accentuates the width of the interior. Indirect lighting beneath the Audi MMI panoramic display and in the center console creates a subtle floating effect. A central element is the dynamic interaction light (IAL) in the ambient light package plus: a continuous LED light strip spans the full width of the interior and supports interaction between occupants and the vehicle. In addition to a welcome function and a lock/unlock indicator, the IAL also visualizes the dynamic turn signal, for example. A distinctive highlight is the light signature in the headrest of the sports seat plus, which serves as a unique identifying feature visible even from the outside. In addition, integrated sound design with noise-canceling technology in the headrest provides for a quiet, comfortable atmosphere.
Sound system transcends interior boundaries
Audi optimally combines the interaction light with the updated Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with 4D sound. The IAL uses its “experiences” feature to sync with the rhythm of the music, creating an immersive experience by matching the color scheme to the track’s cover art. The system builds on the previous 3D sound system with headrest speakers and adds innovative seat actuators in the front seats. The goal is an immersive, personalized sound experience that makes music not only something you hear, but something you can physically feel. The Q9 cabin is filled with sound from a total of 22 speakers, including tweeters and mid-range speakers with 3D sound, subwoofers, an optimized center speaker, and four headrest speakers – two each for the driver and front passenger. The total system output is 1,360 watts. The headrest speakers enable personal phone calls, navigation prompts, and surround sound without acoustic distractions for other passengers.
Compared with conventional surround sound, the 4D system delivers an authentic concert-hall atmosphere. The integration of Fraunhofer Symphoria® enables adaptive sound distribution. The seat actuators generate finely tuned vibrations that sync with the music and intensify the bass sensation – the experience is like being at a live concert. Users can flexibly adjust the degree of immersion via individually configurable sliders or preset sound profiles, or turn it off entirely.
Comprehensive equipment
In the new Q9, Audi is expanding the range of interior options. The expansive surfaces are ideal for showcasing materials to their full effect. High-quality fabric and wood trim, new decorative accents, and coordinated colors create an atmosphere of premium comfort. The interior combines exclusive quality, evident down to the finest stitch, with pioneering materials. Particular attention has been paid to material selection: premium upholstery from wool such as alpaca fiber, Dinamica microfiber, leather and leatherette blends, and fine Nappa leather contribute to the refined character of the Q9. In addition to familiar hues, new colors such as tamarind brown, natural beige, and stone beige round out the selection. The cabin is further enhanced by decorative elements in fine grain ash natural, silk beige; lime structure natural, gray brown; or carbon fiber weave with basalt gray accents. Color-coordinated trim elements throughout the cabin, along with the reduced use of glossy surfaces in favor of matte and textured materials, ensure an elegant aesthetic and minimize fingerprints. The steering wheel also adds a fresh touch with a standard upgrade of the airbag cover in leather and with color-matched contrast stitching. Fully curated Audi exclusive design packages complete the offering.
Room for just about everything with generous storage in the Q9
The largest Audi SUV to date offers a wealth of storage solutions. Above all, the redesigned and versatile center console in the Q9 offers flexibility: it features innovative wireless charging solutions for cell phones, such as a dual charger for two smartphones compliant with the Qi2.2 standard. This enables fast and efficient charging. Alternatively, the Q9 offers wired fast-charging via USB-C with an output of 60 watts in the center console of the front row, up to 100 watts in the second row, and 45 watts in the third row. Just like the car itself, the front cup holders are also generously sized – for example, to accommodate the tumblers that are popular in the USA. The cup holders in the second row can hold a large drink container and, for example, a bottle. The new Audi Q9 also offers plenty of space and thoughtful organizational options in the luggage compartment: a new standard aluminum rail system integrated into the sides of the trunk allows users to secure cargo in three dimensions with sliding hooks and adjustable anchors. This setup makes it easy to stow smaller items and frees up space on the trunk floor for larger items. A roof rack for the roof rails is also included. When the third row of seats is in use, the luggage compartment cover can be stowed under the cargo floor to save space.
