Compare the2025 Porsche CayenneVS 2025 Audi SQ8

The Porsche Cayenne has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The SQ8 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Cayenne and the SQ8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available night vision systems.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The SQ8 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 70 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 11 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 229 more horsepower (729 vs. 500) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (700 vs. 568) than the SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the SQ8:

The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ8 (23.7 vs. 22.5 gallons).

The Cayenne’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The SQ8 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Cayenne CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ8:

The Cayenne offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The SQ8 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The SQ8 doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne stops much shorter than the SQ8:

For better traction and acceleration, the Cayenne has larger standard rear tires than the SQ8 (295/45R20 vs. 285/40R22). The Cayenne’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the SQ8 (315/40R21 vs. 285/40R22).

The Cayenne handles at 1.02 G’s, while the SQ8 Prestige pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the SQ8’s (39.7 feet vs. 43.6 feet).

The Porsche Cayenne may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 550 pounds less than the Audi SQ8.

The front grille of the Cayenne uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The SQ8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cayenne has 1.9 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear legroom than the SQ8.

The front step up height for the Cayenne is 2.8 inches lower than the SQ8 (16.75” vs. 19.5”). The Cayenne’s rear step up height is 3.8 inches lower than the SQ8’s (16” vs. 19.8”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Cayenne easier. The Cayenne’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31 inches, while the SQ8’s liftover is 33.7 inches.

Standard trailer sway control on the Cayenne uses the Porsche Stability Management sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The SQ8 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in service department satisfaction. With a 40% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

The Cayenne’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The SQ8 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The SQ8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Cayenne’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Cayenne has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The SQ8 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Cayenne’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The SQ8 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Porsche Cayenne, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Porsche Cayenne outsold the Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 by over two to one during 2024.