Compare the2023 Porsche MacanVS 2023 Audi SQ5 Sportback

The Porsche Macan 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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Macan and the SQ5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

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 Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 26 more horsepower (375 vs. 349) and 14 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 369) than the SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 85 more horsepower (434 vs. 349) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 369) than the SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Macan 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder gets better fuel mileage than the SQ5 Sportback (19 city/25 hwy vs. 19 city/24 hwy).

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Macan GTS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5 Sportback:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the SQ5 Sportback (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The Macan’s optional 295/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5 Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (52.9 vs. 51.9 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Stability Management on the Macan 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 SQ5 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 third in service department satisfaction. With a 14% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Macan has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Macan also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Macan third among compact premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The SQ5 Sportback isn’t in the top three.

The Macan was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 4 years. The SQ5 Sportback has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.