Compare the2022 Porsche CayenneVS 2022 Audi e-tron Sportback

Full-time four-wheel drive is standard on the Cayenne. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the e-tron Sportback.

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

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’s reliability 43 points higher than the e-tron Sportback.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 15th in initial quality. With 77 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 second in reliability, above the industry average. With 41 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 5 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Cayenne has more powerful engines than the e-tron Sportback:

The Cayenne’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 545.1 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The e-tron Sportback’s range is only 218 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 30 minutes for only a 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 10 hours and 30 minutes.

For better stopping power the Cayenne CCB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the e-tron Sportback:

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 e-tron Sportback 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 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer air brakes.

For better traction, the Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the e-tron Sportback (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 265/45R21).

The Cayenne’s optional 285/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne offers optional 22-inch wheels. The e-tron Sportback’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

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

The Cayenne 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 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Cayenne 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 e-tron Sportback.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne is 1.6 inches wider in the front and .6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the e-tron Sportback.

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the e-tron Sportback’s (35.1 feet vs. 40 feet). The Cayenne’s turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the e-tron Sportback’s (39.8 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Porsche Cayenne may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 1150 pounds less than the Audi e-tron Sportback.

The Cayenne has .9 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom and 1.2 inches more rear legroom than the e-tron Sportback.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Cayenne’s rear seats recline. The e-tron Sportback’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Cayenne has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (60.3 vs. 54.5 cubic feet).

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the e-tron Sportback’s (7700 vs. 4000 pounds).

A trailer sway program standard 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 e-tron Sportback 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 first in service department satisfaction. With a 37% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Cayenne offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Cayenne’s optional Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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

The Porsche Cayenne outsold the Audi e-tron by over two to one during the 2021 model year.