Compare the2023 Audi SQ5VS 2022 Porsche Cayenne

The SQ5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Cayenne doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the SQ5 and Cayenne have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ5 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Cayenne’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The SQ5’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Cayenne.

The SQ5 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Cayenne’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the SQ5 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Cayenne.

Both the SQ5 and the Cayenne have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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 and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the SQ5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 101 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Cayenne has not been tested, yet.

There are over 56 percent more Audi dealers than there are Porsche dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the SQ5’s warranty.

The SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 14 more horsepower (349 vs. 335) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 332) than the Cayenne’s standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi SQ5 is faster than the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the SQ5 gets better mileage than the Cayenne running its gasoline engine:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi SQ5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Cayenne requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi SQ5 higher (5 out of 10) than the Porsche Cayenne (3 to 5). This means the SQ5 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Cayenne every 15,000 miles.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The SQ5 has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The SQ5 stops shorter than the Cayenne:

The SQ5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cayenne’s standard 55 series front and 50 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SQ5 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Cayenne.

The SQ5 Prestige handles at .88 G’s, while the Cayenne E-Hybrid pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Audi SQ5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 1400 pounds less than the Porsche Cayenne.

The SQ5 is 9.4 inches shorter than the Cayenne, making the SQ5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the SQ5 Prestige is quieter than the Cayenne (37 vs. 40 dB).

The SQ5 has .6 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more rear headroom than the Cayenne.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the SQ5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Cayenne doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

If the windows are left open on the SQ5 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Cayenne can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The SQ5’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Cayenne’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the SQ5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Cayenne doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the SQ5 has standard extendable sun visors. The Cayenne doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the SQ5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the SQ5 will cost $375 to $10040 less than the Cayenne over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi SQ5 will be $10105 to $77410 less than for the Porsche Cayenne.

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Porsche Cayenne by over three to one during the 2022 model year.