Compare the2023 Porsche 911VS 2023 Audi R8

The 911 (except GT3) has standard Warn and Brake Assist, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The R8 doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the 911 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The R8 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The 911’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The R8 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

The 911 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The R8 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The 911’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The R8 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the 911’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The R8 doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the 911 and the R8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 39 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Porsche higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The 911 has more powerful engines than the R8:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The R8 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Coupe gets better mileage than the R8:

On the EPA test cycle the 911 Cabriolet gets better mileage than the R8:

The 911’s optional fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the R8 Spyder’s standard fuel tank (23.7 vs. 21.1 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Porsche 911 higher (3 to 5 out of 10) than the Audi R8 (1). This means the 911 produces up to 39 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the R8 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Porsche 911, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the R8.

For better stopping power the 911 Turbo S/Sport Classic’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the R8:

For better traction, the 911 Turbo S/GT3/Sport Classic’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the R8 (F:255/35R20 & R:315/30R21 vs. F:245/30R20 & R:305/30R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 911 offers optional 21-inch rear wheels. The R8’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The 911 (except Base/GT3) 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 R8 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 911 has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The R8’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the 911 GT3’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the R8’s (34.1 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 350 pounds less than the Audi R8.

The front grille of the 911 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The R8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 911 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the R8 can only carry 2.

The 911 has 23 cubic feet more passenger volume than the R8 (73 vs. 50).

The 911 Coupe has a larger trunk with its rear seat up than the R8 Coupe (4.6 vs. 4 cubic feet).

The 911 Cabriolet has a larger trunk with its top down than the R8 Spyder (4.6 vs. 4 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The 911’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The R8 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the 911 (except Cabriolet/GT3) offers an optional rear wiper. The R8 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The R8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 911’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.

The 911’s sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The R8’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 911 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The R8 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the 911’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The R8 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The 911’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The R8 doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the 911 (except Manual) offers an optional Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The R8 doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The 911 (except Manual/GT3)’s optional Active Parking Support can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote ParkAssist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The R8 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the 911 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 911 will cost $3205 less than the R8 over a five-year period.

The 911 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 911 will retain 56.25% to 60.11% of its original price after five years, while the R8 only retains 49.92% to 50.89%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Porsche 911 will be $16846 to $46185 less than for the Audi R8.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 911 first among premium sporty cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The R8 isn’t in the top three.

The Porsche 911 outsold the Audi R8 by almost 24 to one during 2022.