Compare the2025 Audi Q8 e-tron SportbackVS 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Escalade IQ doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Q8 e-tron Sportback has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Escalade IQ doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

Both the Q8 e-tron Sportback and the Escalade IQ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Escalade IQ has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the Escalade IQ’s (12 vs. 6 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Cadillac vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 14 places higher in reliability than Cadillac.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Escalade IQ doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback’s 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 Escalade IQ doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Escalade IQ:

The Q8 e-tron Sportback’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Escalade IQ’s 50 series tires.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Escalade IQ; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback is 2 feet, 6.8 inches shorter than the Escalade IQ, making the Q8 e-tron Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback is 6.1 inches narrower than the Escalade IQ, making the Q8 e-tron Sportback easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Q8 e-tron Sportback is 11 inches shorter in height than the Escalade IQ, making the Q8 e-tron Sportback much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The Q8 e-tron Sportback has a much larger cargo volume than the Escalade IQ with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 23.6 cubic feet).

A Service Interval Display is standard on the Q8 e-tron Sportback to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for vehicle inspections, vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Cadillac doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Escalade IQ.