Audi’s SUV lineup is getting busier, but the Q8 is not being pushed aside. With the redesigned Q7 and new full-size Q9 reshaping the top end of the brand’s utility lineup, there had been some question about where the coupe-like Q8 would fit going forward. According to a report from Edmunds, Audi CEO Gernot Döllner has confirmed that the Q8 will get a successor within the next few years, keeping the sportier two-row SUV in the family.

The current Q8 arrived in the U.S. for 2019 as a more stylish alternative to the three-row Q7. It traded the Q7’s extra seating for a sleeker roofline, a more premium positioning, and standard V6 power. For a while, it effectively sat near the top of Audi’s SUV lineup, especially in SQ8 and RS Q8 form. But with the Q7 getting a major redesign for 2027 and the new Q9 stepping in above everything, the Q8 suddenly looks like the middle child that needs its own update to stay relevant.

That update should help restore the Q8’s performance and luxury edge. The redesigned Q7 reportedly moves to a more powerful standard V6, which makes the current Q8’s 335-horsepower V6 feel less special than it once did. A next-generation Q8 is expected to continue with V6 power for mainstream versions, while sportier SQ8 models are likely to keep V8 muscle in the mix. That would be good news for buyers who still want an Audi SUV with a more emotional powertrain and a little more personality than the family-hauling Q7.

The big question is whether Audi will also bring back the RS Q8 after the next-generation model arrives. The current RS Q8 remains one of the brand’s wildest SUVs, packing a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with 631 horsepower. Audi has not confirmed a future RS Q8 yet, but given the model’s image-building role and the company’s recent comments suggesting there is still room for V8 power in larger vehicles, it would be surprising if Audi walked away from that performance halo completely.

Do not expect the new Q8 immediately. The next-generation model is still a few years away, and Audi’s near-term attention appears focused on launching the updated Q7 and new Q9. When the Q8 does return, it should continue to sit between those two in price and personality, offering a sleeker, sportier option for buyers who do not need three rows but still want a premium Audi SUV with presence. In a lineup increasingly filled with practical choices, the Q8’s job will be to bring back some style, performance, and attitude.