Compare the2024 Porsche CayenneVS 2024 Audi Q8

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 Q8 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Cayenne and the Q8 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available night vision systems and around view monitors.

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 Cayenne’s reliability 23 points higher than the Q8.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 11 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Cayenne’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 13 more horsepower (348 vs. 335) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 128 more horsepower (463 vs. 335) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 369) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Cayenne S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 133 more horsepower (468 vs. 335) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 369) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 177 more horsepower (512 vs. 335) and 184 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 369) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 394 more horsepower (729 vs. 335) and 331 lbs.-ft. more torque (700 vs. 369) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q8 (23.7 vs. 22.5 gallons).

The Cayenne’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Q8 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Cayenne CCB’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Q8:

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 Q8 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 Q8 doesn’t offer air brakes.

For better traction and acceleration, the Cayenne has larger standard rear tires than the Q8 (295/45R20 vs. 285/45R21). The Cayenne’s optional rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the Q8 (315/40R21 vs. 285/45R21).

The Cayenne’s optional 315/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q8’s optional 40 series tires.

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 Q8 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 Q8.

The Cayenne has a standard automatic load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q8 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s turning circle is 3.9 feet tighter than the Q8’s (39.7 feet vs. 43.6 feet). The Cayenne’s turning circle is 3.6 feet tighter than the Q8’s (40 feet vs. 43.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne E-Hybrid has a 2.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q8 (8.1 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Cayenne to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid’s minimum ground clearance is 3.7 inches higher than on the Q8 (9.5 vs. 5.8 inches).

The Porsche Cayenne may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Audi Q8.

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 Q8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Cayenne has 1.9 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear legroom than the Q8.

The front step up height for the Cayenne is 2.8 inches lower than the Q8 (16.75” vs. 19.5”). The Cayenne’s rear step up height is 3.8 inches lower than the Q8’s (16” vs. 19.8”).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Cayenne easier. The Cayenne’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31 inches, while the Q8’s liftover is 33.7 inches.

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 Q8 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 Q8 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Q8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Cayenne’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

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 Q8 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 Q8 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Cayenne has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q8.

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

The Porsche Cayenne outsold the Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 by 51% during 2023.