Compare the2022 Porsche CayenneVS 2022 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, 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, rearview cameras, available night vision systems, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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 Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 170 more horsepower (670 vs. 500) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 568) than the SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running on electricity gets better mileage than the SQ8:

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

The Cayenne E-Hybrid can drive on battery power alone for up to 17 miles. The SQ8 must run its internal combustion engine to move.

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 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’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 SQ8’s optional 40 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 8.5 feet tighter than the SQ8’s (35.1 feet vs. 43.6 feet). The Cayenne’s turning circle is 3.8 feet tighter than the SQ8’s (39.8 feet vs. 43.6 feet).

The Porsche Cayenne may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 750 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 .4 inches more rear headroom and .2 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.

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 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 first in service department satisfaction. With a 37% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

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.

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.

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 SQ8 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 Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 by 35% during the 2021 model year.