Compare the2024 Audi SQ8VS 2023 Porsche Cayenne

Both the SQ8 and Cayenne have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ8 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Cayenne’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The SQ8 has standard Maneuver Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Cayenne doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The SQ8 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

The SQ8’s standard 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. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Cayenne.

The SQ8 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Cayenne’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the SQ8’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the SQ8 and the Cayenne have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 and available night vision systems.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the SQ8 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 131 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Cayenne has not been tested, yet.

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 SQ8’s warranty.

The SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 165 more horsepower (500 vs. 335) and 236 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 332) than the Cayenne’s standard 3.0 turbo V6. The SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 66 more horsepower (500 vs. 434) and 163 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 405) than the Cayenne S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6. The SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 47 more horsepower (500 vs. 453) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 457) than the Cayenne GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi SQ8 is faster than the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the SQ8 gets better mileage than the Cayenne running its gasoline engine:

The SQ8 has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 19.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the SQ8’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Cayenne:

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The SQ8 has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

For better traction, the SQ8 has larger standard tires than the Cayenne (285/40R22 vs. 255/55R19). The SQ8’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Cayenne (295/35R23 vs. 285/40R21).

The SQ8’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cayenne’s standard 55 series front and 50 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SQ8 has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Cayenne. The SQ8’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the Cayenne.

The front and rear suspension of the SQ8 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Cayenne, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the SQ8’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the Cayenne (117.9 inches vs. 114 inches).

The SQ8 has .5 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cayenne.

The SQ8 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Cayenne with its rear seat up (30.5 vs. 27.2 cubic feet). The SQ8 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Cayenne with its rear seat folded (60.7 vs. 60.3 cubic feet).

The SQ8’s cargo area is larger than the Cayenne’s in almost every dimension:

The SQ8 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The SQ8’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 Cayenne.

If the windows are left open on the SQ8 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 Cayenne can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The SQ8’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 Cayenne’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the SQ8 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Cayenne doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the SQ8 has standard extendable sun visors. The Cayenne doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A manual rear sunshade and power rear side window sunshades are optional in the SQ8 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The SQ8 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Cayenne.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi SQ8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Cayenne.