Compare the2025 Porsche Cayenne CoupeVS 2025 Audi Q8

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe 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 Q8 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Cayenne Coupe and the Q8 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, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available night vision systems.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Cayenne Coupe’s reliability 23 points higher than the Q8.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne Coupe second among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Q8 isn’t in the top three.

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 Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 13 more horsepower (348 vs. 335) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 128 more horsepower (463 vs. 335) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 369) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Cayenne S Coupe’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 133 more horsepower (468 vs. 335) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 369) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Cayenne GTS Coupe’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 158 more horsepower (493 vs. 335) and 117 lbs.-ft. more torque (486 vs. 369) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 394 more horsepower (729 vs. 335) and 331 lbs.-ft. more torque (700 vs. 369) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard fuel tank has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q8 (23.7 vs. 22.5 gallons).

The Cayenne Coupe’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 Q8 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Cayenne Coupe CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Q8:

The Cayenne Coupe 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 Q8 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Coupe Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The Q8 doesn’t offer air brakes.

For better traction and acceleration, the Cayenne Coupe has larger standard rear tires than the Q8 (295/45R20 vs. 285/45R21). The Cayenne Coupe’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the Q8 (315/40R21 vs. 285/45R21).

The Cayenne Coupe’s optional 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q8’s optional 40 series tires.

The Cayenne Coupe offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Q8 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Cayenne Coupe offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Q8.

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne Turbo GT’s turning circle is 5.6 feet tighter than the Q8’s (38 feet vs. 43.6 feet). The Cayenne Coupe’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the Q8’s (39.7 feet vs. 43.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe has a 2.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q8 (8.2 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Cayenne Coupe to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupe’s minimum ground clearance is 3.7 inches higher than on the Q8 (9.5 vs. 5.8 inches).

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Audi Q8.

The front grille of the Cayenne Coupe uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cayenne Coupe has 1.1 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the Q8.

Standard trailer sway control on the Cayenne Coupe 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 Q8 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 Coupe’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 Q8 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Q8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Cayenne Coupe’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 Coupe has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Q8 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The Cayenne Coupe has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Q8.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Cayenne has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q8.

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

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