Compare the2024 Porsche MacanVS 2024 Audi Q5 Sportback

The Porsche Macan 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Macan and the Q5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning 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 Macan’s reliability 17 points higher than the Q5 Sportback.

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 Macan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 114 more horsepower (375 vs. 261) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (383 vs. 273) than the Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 173 more horsepower (434 vs. 261) and 132 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 273) than the Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The Macan has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q5 Sportback (19.8 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Macan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q5 Sportback:

For better traction, the Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q5 Sportback (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The Macan’s standard 255/50R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q5 Sportback’s standard 55 series tires. The Macan’s optional 295/35R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional 40 series tires.

The Macan offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Q5 Sportback’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Macan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan’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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (53 vs. 51.9 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Stability Management on the Macan 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 Q5 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Q5 Sportback, the Macan offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Macan’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 Q5 Sportback.

The Q5 Sportback’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Macan’s standard 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 quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Macan has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Macan is less expensive to operate than the Q5 Sportback because typical repairs cost much less on the Macan than the Q5 Sportback, including $203 less for a water pump, $200 less for a starter, $37 less for fuel injection and $73 less for a fuel pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Macan and the Audi Q5 Sportback, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 6 more times in the last 8 years. The Q5 Sportback has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.