Compare the2025 Audi Q5VS 2025 Porsche Cayenne

Both the Q5 and the Cayenne have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

There are over 54 percent more Audi dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Q5’s warranty.

The Audi Q5’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Cayenne’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

As tested in Car and Driver the Q5 55 TFSI e is faster than the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Q5 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Cayenne running its gasoline engine:

The Q5 55 TFSI e can travel with zero emissions for 23 miles. The Cayenne can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi Q5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Cayenne requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Q5 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Cayenne doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better maneuverability, the Q5 40/45 TFSI’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Cayenne’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The Q5 55 TFSI e’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Cayenne’s (39.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Audi Q5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 1000 pounds less than the Porsche Cayenne.

The Q5 is 9.8 inches shorter than the Cayenne, making the Q5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q5 has .6 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more rear headroom than the Cayenne.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q5 easier. The Q5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29 inches, while the Cayenne’s liftover is 31 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Q5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Cayenne doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Q5 (except 55 TFSI e) has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

If the windows are left open on the Q5 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Cayenne can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Q5’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Cayenne’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Q5 has standard extendable sun visors. The Cayenne doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the Q5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Q5 will cost $585 to $13355 less than the Cayenne over a five-year period.

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Porsche Cayenne by almost four to one during 2023.