Compare the2023 Audi A8VS 2023 Porsche Taycan

The A8 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Taycan doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The A8 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Taycan doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A8. But it costs extra on the Taycan.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the A8’s optional Rear Cross-Traffic Assist uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side and Automatic Brake Activation automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. The Taycan doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the A8 and the Taycan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available night vision systems and blind spot warning systems.

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 A8’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the A8’s reliability 20 points higher than the Taycan.

The A8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 115 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 254) than the Taycan’s standard electric motor. The A8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 106 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 263) than the Taycan Performance Plus’ optional electric motor. The A8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 368) than the Taycan Cross Turismo’s standard electric motors.

For more complete vehicle control the A8 has a manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Taycan doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Audi A8, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a 2-speed automatic is available for the Taycan.

For better stopping power the A8’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Taycan:

The A8 stops much shorter than the Taycan:

For better traction, the A8 has larger standard tires than the Taycan (255/45R19 vs. 225/55R19).

The A8’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 Taycan’s standard 55 series front tires.

The A8 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Taycan; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the A8 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Taycan, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The A8 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The A8’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Taycan doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the A8’s wheelbase is 9 inches longer than on the Taycan (123.2 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The A8 55 TFSI handles at .93 G’s, while the Taycan pulls only .89 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For excellent aerodynamics, the A8 has standard flush composite headlights. The Taycan has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the A8 a Large car, while the Taycan is rated a Compact.

The A8 has 22 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Taycan (111 vs. 89).

The A8 has .1 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 12.1 inches more rear legroom and 4.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Taycan.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the A8’s available rear seats recline. The Taycan’s rear seats don’t recline.

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the A8 offers cargo security. The Taycan’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The A8’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Taycan.

If the windows are left open on the A8 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 Taycan can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The A8’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 Taycan’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the A8 to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The Taycan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the A8 has standard extendable sun visors. The Taycan doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A power rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are standard in the A8 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Taycan doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The A8 has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Taycan doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the A8 and the Taycan offer optional massaging front seats. The A8 also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the Taycan.

The A8 offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Taycan doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi A8, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Porsche Taycan isn't recommended.