Compare the2023 Porsche CayenneVS 2023 Audi SQ5 Sportback

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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Cayenne 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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne and the SQ5 Sportback 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, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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 Cayenne S’ 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. The Cayenne GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 104 more horsepower (453 vs. 349) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 369) than the SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 106 more horsepower (455 vs. 349) and 147 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 369) than the SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 321 more horsepower (670 vs. 349) and 294 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 369) than the SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running on electricity gets better mileage than the SQ5 Sportback:

The Cayenne can travel with zero emissions for 15 to 17 miles (dependent on model). The SQ5 Sportback can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 Sportback (19.8 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 Sportback (23.7 vs. 18.5 gallons).

For better stopping power the Cayenne’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5 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 SQ5 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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer air brakes.

For better traction, the Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the SQ5 Sportback (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

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 SQ5 Sportback’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Cayenne offers optional 22-inch wheels. The SQ5 Sportback’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

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 SQ5 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 SQ5 Sportback.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne’s wheelbase is 3 inches longer than on the SQ5 Sportback (114 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the SQ5 Sportback.

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the SQ5 Sportback’s (35.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cayenne has .9 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom and 2.3 inches more rear legroom than the SQ5 Sportback.

The front step up height for the Cayenne is 1.6 inches lower than the SQ5 Sportback (16.75” vs. 18.3”). The Cayenne’s rear step up height is 2 inches lower than the SQ5 Sportback’s (16” vs. 18”).

The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the SQ5 Sportback with its rear seat up (27.2 vs. 24.7 cubic feet). The Cayenne has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (60.3 vs. 51.9 cubic feet).

The Cayenne’s cargo area is larger than the SQ5 Sportback’s in almost every dimension:

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the SQ5 Sportback’s (7700 vs. 4400 pounds).

Standard trailer sway control 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 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.

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 SQ5 Sportback does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the Cayenne has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Cayenne’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Cayenne offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the SQ5 Sportback.

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 SQ5 Sportback Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne third among upper midsize 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.