Compare the2023 Porsche Cayenne CoupeVS 2023 Audi SQ5

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe 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 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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

Both the Cayenne Coupe and the SQ5 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 Coupe’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’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Cayenne GTS Coupe’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 104 more horsepower (453 vs. 349) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 369) than the SQ5’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Cayenne E-Hybrid Coupe’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’s 3.0 turbo V6. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Coupe’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’s 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Cayenne Turbo Coupe 4.0 turbo V8 is faster than the Audi SQ5:

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

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

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

For better stopping power the Cayenne Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5:

The Cayenne Coupe 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 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Coupe Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The SQ5 doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne Coupe stops much shorter than the SQ5:

For better traction, the Cayenne Coupe has larger standard tires than the SQ5 (F:275/45R20 & R:305/40R20 vs. 255/45R20). The Cayenne Coupe’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the SQ5 (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The Cayenne Coupe’s standard 305/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ5’s standard 45 series tires. The Cayenne Coupe’s optional 285/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the SQ5’s optional 40 series tires.

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

The Cayenne Coupe 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 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Cayenne Coupe 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.

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne Coupe is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the SQ5.

The Cayenne Turbo GT handles at 1.03 G’s, while the SQ5 Prestige pulls only .93 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the SQ5 Prestige (24.1 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 25.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s).

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

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne Coupe Air Suspension has a 1.4 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the SQ5 (9.6 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Cayenne Coupe to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Cayenne Coupe 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 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Cayenne Turbo GT is quieter than the SQ5 Prestige (65 vs. 66 dB).

The Cayenne Coupe has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room and 2 inches more rear legroom than the SQ5.

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

Standard trailer sway control on the Cayenne Coupe 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 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 Coupe’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 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Cayenne Coupe offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The SQ5 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

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

The Cayenne Coupe’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 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 Coupe, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne Coupe 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 isn’t in the top three.