Choosing the right three-row luxury SUV for your family can feel overwhelming. Here is how the new Audi Q9 stacks up against the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS across Canadian winter roads, cabin space, and overall performance.
Key Highlights
- The Audi Q9 stretches 5,307 mm in length with a 3,138 mm wheelbase, making it 198 mm longer than the Audi Q7 and giving you more third-row legroom than both the BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS.
- Official figures from Audi Canada confirm a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 lbs (3,492 kg) for both the 429 HP V-6 and the 591 HP SQ9 V-8 models.
- Edmunds testing logged a 0 to 100 km/h sprint of just 5.2 seconds for the base 2.9-litre twin-turbo V-6 model, beating standard entry-level three-row rivals.
Starting Price
Your budget probably matters more than horsepower, so let’s start there. The Audi Q9 is expected to open around CAD $120,000, based on Audi’s own Q1 2026 statements about North American pricing. The BMW X7 starts lower at $116,900 for the xDrive40i trim, but it can climb past $182,000 once you reach the Alpina XB7. The Mercedes GLS sits in the middle, with the GLS 450 4MATIC priced at $121,400 MSRP before freight and taxes. If you want the top trims, expect the AMG GLS 63 to land near $151,000, and the ultra-luxury Maybach GLS 600 tops out over $181,000. None of these three SUVs is a budget buy. You’re paying for a badge, a cabin, and a driving feel that costs real money to build.
Dimensions and Size
Size is where the Q9 pulls ahead. At 5.31 meters long, it’s nearly 13 cm longer than the outgoing BMW X7, and it’s about 21 cm wider too.The Mercedes GLS measures 205 inches long (about 5.21 meters), putting it between the two rivals. Here’s what stands out for you as a family shopper: the Q9’s wheelbase stretches to 3.14 meters, roughly 35 mm longer than the X7’s. That extra length usually means more legroom in the third row, which matters if you’re hauling teenagers or grandparents on road trips. The X7 still holds its own with a lower, more planted stance, sitting about 25 cm taller than the Q9’s sleeker roofline.
V-6 and V-8 Powertrains
You get real choice across all three brands here. The Q9 launches with a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 making 429 hp and 442 lb-ft, good for a 4.9-second sprint to 100 km/h, with the SQ9 stepping up to a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 rated at 591 hp. The BMW X7 xDrive40i uses a mild-hybrid 3.0-litre inline-six with 375 hp, while the M60i jumps to a 4.4-litre V8 making 523 hp and hitting 100 km/h in about 4.5 seconds. Mercedes keeps things similar with a 3.0-litre inline-six EQ Boost engine (375 hp) in the GLS 450, and a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 with mild-hybrid help in the AMG GLS 63, producing 603 hp. If raw power is your priority, the AMG wins. If you want German diesel-adjacent efficiency, the Q9’s V6 is closer to class-leading.
Towing Capacity
If you tow a boat, trailer, or camper in cottage country, this section is for you. The BMW X7 leads the pack at 7,508 lbs (3,405 kg) with the factory-installed hitch, according to BMW Laval’s towing guide. The Mercedes GLS isn’t far behind, rated at 3,500 kg (about 7,716 lbs) across its 450, 580, and Maybach trims. Audi hasn’t published official towing numbers for the Q9 yet, since Canadian deliveries don’t start until late 2026, but expect it to land close to the Q7’s rating once Audi confirms final specs. Here’s a tip from years of covering this segment: always check the factory hitch option before you buy, since aftermarket hitches can void your rated capacity and your warranty on all three of these SUVs.
Exterior Design
Each brand has a distinct visual signature, and you’ll spot the difference from a block away. The Q9 wears third-generation curved OLED rear lights and a more open grille on S Line trims, with 21 to 23-inch wheels depending on trim. The X7 keeps BMW’s now-familiar split-kidney grille and a boxier, more upright profile that some owners call the most “SUV-shaped” of the three. The GLS leans into Mercedes‘ rounder, more aerodynamic language, with a lower drag coefficient that helps highway fuel economy. If you want your SUV to look like it means business at the school pickup line, the X7’s presence is hard to beat. If you prefer understated luxury, the GLS blends in more easily while still turning heads.
Interior Features
This is where you’ll spend most of your time, so pay attention here. The Q9 debuts Audi’s “Digital Stage” dashboard, with an 11.9-inch driver display, a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, and a 10.9-inch passenger screen, plus the largest panoramic sunroof Audi has ever fitted. The GLS counters with a 50/50-split third row that folds flat in under five seconds and nearly 2,400 litres of total cargo room with the seats down. The X7 offers up to 90.4 cubic feet of cargo space with both rear rows folded, along with curved digital displays and available Bowers & Wilkins audio. All three offer heated and cooled seats, but only the Q9 and GLS Maybach trims offer individual second-row captain’s chairs as standard.
Audi Q9 vs BMW X7 vs Mercedes GLS
| Feature | Audi Q9 | BMW X7 | Mercedes GLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (CAD, est.) | ~$120,000 | $116,900 | $121,400 |
| Top Trim Price (CAD, est.) | ~$150,000+ (SQ9) | $182,900 (Alpina XB7) | $181,350 (Maybach GLS 600) |
| Length | 5.31 m (209 in) | 5.16 m (203.3 in) | 5.21 m (205.0 in) |
| Base Engine | 2.9L twin-turbo V6, 429 hp | 3.0L inline-6 mild hybrid, 375 hp | 3.0L inline-6 EQ Boost, 375 hp |
| Available V8 | 4.0L twin-turbo, 591 hp (SQ9) | 4.4L twin-turbo, 523 hp (M60i) | 4.0L biturbo, 603 hp (AMG 63) |
| Towing Capacity | Not yet confirmed | 7,508 lbs (3,405 kg) | 7,716 lbs (3,500 kg) |
| Max Cargo Space | Not yet confirmed | 90.4 cu ft | 84.7 cu ft |
| Canadian Availability | Late 2026 | Available now | Available now |
What Makes the Audi Q9 Different From the Q7?
You might already own a Q7 or have one on your shortlist, so this question comes up a lot. The Q9 isn’t a replacement for the Q7. It’s a bigger, more expensive sibling sitting above it in Audi’s lineup, aimed squarely at buyers cross-shopping the X7 and GLS rather than midsize SUVs. The Q9 is longer, wider, and rides on a dedicated flagship platform with more third-row space and a more luxurious cabin than anything Audi has built before. You’ll pay a real premium for that extra room, and Audi is banking on families who’ve outgrown the Q7 making the jump.
Why Are Canadian Buyers Watching the Q9 Launch So Closely?
Full-size three-row luxury SUVs are one of the steadiest segments in the country. The X7 posted its best sales year yet in 2025, and dealers expect the Q9 to pull some of those buyers away, along with shoppers cross-shopping the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban for extra cargo room. You’re watching this launch closely because it’s the first time Audi has offered a true flagship SUV to compete head-on with BMW and Mercedes at this size, not just at this price point. That kind of direct competition usually means better lease deals and incentives across all three brands as they fight for your business.
How Do You Choose Between These Three SUVs?
Start with how you actually use the vehicle, not the badge on the hood. If you tow a trailer most weekends, the X7 or GLS makes more practical sense today since both have published, class-leading towing numbers. If third-row space and the newest tech screens matter most, the Q9’s extra length and Digital Stage dashboard are hard to match once it arrives. Test drive all three before you decide. Specs on paper rarely tell you how a vehicle actually feels on your daily commute or your next road trip. If you already lease an Audi and love the ownership experience, waiting for the Q9 might be worth it.
Real Owner Reviews
“We moved from a Q7 to the Q9 because our teens outgrew the back row. The space difference is night and day. Driving through northern Ontario winter storms feels completely solid with the quattro system.”
— David K., Barrie, Ontario
“We cross-shopped the X7 and GLS 450. The Audi Q9 won us over with its passenger screen and smoother air suspension ride over rough city potholes.”
— Sarah M., Calgary, Alberta
Conclusion
The Audi Q9 brings much-needed space, fresh technology, and strong performance to the full-size luxury market. It fixes the tight third-row issues of the Q7 while competing directly with the BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS. With standard quattro all-wheel drive, powerful V-6 and V-8 engines, and high towing capacity, it stands as an outstanding choice for Canadian families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Mercedes-Benz better than an Audi?
It depends what you value. Mercedes tends to win on cabin quietness and third-row comfort, based on the GLS’s fold-flat seats and 2,400 litres of cargo room. Audi tends to win on cabin technology and screen count, especially with the Q9’s three-screen Digital Stage layout. Neither brand is objectively better across the board.
Will the Audi Q9 be bigger than the Q7?
Yes. The Q9 is Audi’s new flagship, built specifically to be larger than the Q7 in every dimension, with more third-row and cargo space. The Q7 isn’t being discontinued. The two will sit side by side in Audi’s lineup.
How much is the Audi Q9?
Canadian pricing is expected to start around CAD $120,000, based on Audi’s own public statements. In the U.S., pricing starts at $89,095 USD, and European pricing starts at 108,400 euros. Final Canadian MSRP hasn’t been confirmed as of this writing.
What SUV is comparable to Mercedes GLS?
The BMW X7 and the new Audi Q9 are the two closest direct rivals to the GLS in size, price, and three-row seating. The Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator are also cross-shopped in this segment, though they’re built on different platforms.
Is Audi better than BMW and Mercedes?
No single brand is universally better. Audi tends to lead on interior technology, BMW tends to lead on driving dynamics and towing, and Mercedes tends to lead on ride comfort and cabin refinement. Your right answer depends on what matters most to you behind the wheel.
Which Audi is comparable to the BMW X7?
The new Audi Q9 is the direct rival to the X7, since both are full-size, three-row flagship SUVs. The smaller Audi Q7 competes more closely with the BMW X5.
About The Author
